Program Summary

Normandy Schools Collaborative is partnering with University of Missouri - St. Louis (UMSL) to seek people who wish to earn their teaching certifcation while they teach full time. The Teach in Residency program (TIR) is a two-year graduate level program at UMSL  that is designed for candidates who have already earned a bachelor’s degree in any  area. Potential candidates must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 calculated from  all prior coursework and be able to secure a teaching position after passing the MoCA educator exam.

The Teach in Residency offers pathways to certification in the following areas: •

• Early Childhood (Birth-grade 3) 
• Elementary (grades 1-6)
• Middle School (grades 5-9): Select one content area: Math, English, Social Studies, Science
• Secondary (grades 9-12):    Select one content area: Math, English, Social Science, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Earth Science
• Special Education: Mild/Moderate Cross Categorical (K-12).
• Foreign Language: (Spanish or French K-12)

In order to be fully eligible to join the Teach in Residency Program, you must take and  pass the Missouri Content Assessment (MOCA) in the area that you wish to teach.  This educator exam is both a program entrance requirement and a DESE (Department  of Elementary and Secondary Education) requirement. 

After you pass the exam, you will be ready to apply with districts for teacher of record  positions in your certification area. Once hired, you will be eligible for a provisional  certification with DESE. A provisional certification is kind of like a temporary  certification that covers you to teach during the two years that you are taking the  required certification coursework at UMSL. During the 2-year provisional certification, 

you must remain at your district and take the coursework as scheduled on your course  plan and academic contract. At the end of the two year period, you will have completed  all the required coursework and be recommended for your full initial teaching  certification. Your initial teaching certificate will be valid at any school district in the  state of Missouri.

Last, the Teach in Residency program offers two options. The first option is for you to  earn your teaching certification only. The second option is for you to earn your teaching  certification and a Masters of Education degree by taking only 4 additional courses.