We partner with you to strategize on opportunities to support the recruitment, quality preparation, and retention of teachers for a lasting positive impact on schools, communities, and, most importantly, students.
Kanetha Lyke is a teacher resident at the Chicago Public Schools Teacher Residency program. This picture was taken at Powell Elementary School.
Founded in 2007, the National Center for Teacher Residencies (NCTR) provides evidence-based consulting services to organizations seeking to improve their educator preparation pathway.
Through partnerships with school districts, charter management organizations, nonprofits, state education agencies, colleges and universities, teacher unions, community organizations, and state apprenticeship agencies, we deliver evidence-based technical assistance that strengthens schools and the teaching workforce.
NCTR helps partners build residency and apprenticeship pathways that prepare educators for success.
Improve program quality, sustainability, and long-term outcomes with support tailored to your current residency model.
We aspire to increase student access to well-prepared teachers who reflect the communities they serve.
NCTR engages cross-system stakeholders to examine, modify, and implement evidence-based practices and approaches to address teacher shortages, quality, and retention.
We aim to develop and strengthen mentor teachers’ abilities to support their professional development and the teacher candidates they mentor to be effective teachers for their students.
Tailored consulting provides technical assistance to organizations interested in improving any aspect of the teacher development continuum.
Since 2007, NCTR has launched or supported more than 175 programs that prepare educators for the communities they serve.
Teacher residency and registered apprenticeship programs launched or supported by NCTR since 2007.
Graduates remain in classrooms at strong rates.
Aspiring teachers prepared by programs in NCTR’s Network since 2007
More than 2.2 million students have been taught by teachers who completed a NCTR Network program. (cumulatively)
NCTR works with partners across the country to build, improve, and sustain teacher residency and registered apprenticeship programs.
We partner with districts to build and sustain teacher residency programs that address teacher shortages, improve preparation, and increase long-term retention—especially in high-need schools.
We provide services that support the sustainability of existing teacher preparation programs.
We help colleges and universities align coursework, clinical practice, and partnerships with school districts to deliver high-quality, sustainable teacher preparation programs.
We support states in advancing policies and funding models that scale teacher residencies as a workforce strategy—grounded in evidence and equity.
Your investment helps communities prepare effective teachers who stay—and ensures students in high-need schools have access to excellent educators.
Many organizations offer consulting to develop a strategy. Others offer technical assistance. We provide both — from early visioning and stakeholder alignment to implementation, funding strategy, continuous improvement, and long-term sustainability.
We help shape the field. Our team brings hands-on experience, research-based standards, and a national perspective that connects local implementation to broader policy and workforce strategy.
We have nearly 20 years of experience in designing, launching, scaling, and sustaining high-quality teacher preparation programs.
Get connected to 75+ programs we work with through our Design Academy and Network
We offer technical assistance and strategy to programs from early visioning to alignment to implementation and long-term sustainability.
We are shaping the field with our research-based design principles and standards that connect local implementation to broader policy and workforce strategy.
While NCTR does not directly prepare teachers in the same way as the programs we support, we serve as a national catalyst that:
Strengthens the sustainability, scalability, and long-term growth of existing programs
Leads rigorous program evaluation through strategic data collection, analysis, and continuous improvement
Delivers high-quality, practice-based professional learning for mentor teachers
Partners with school districts, state education agencies, and stakeholders to align policy, funding, and strategy—ensuring coherent, effective teacher preparation systems
Advances bold education policy and advocacy in partnership with state leaders and programs
Explore stories, updates, research, and policy insights that support stronger teacher preparation and residency program design.
The 2025–2026 year was a powerful reminder that meaningful change in teacher preparation happens when we work together. Across our […]
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Released August 2026 – Mentor teachers play a vital role in preparing and retaining the next generation of educators, yet […]
Connect with NCTR to explore how we can support your local and even statewide teaching workforce goals.
