Supporting New Teachers

The OTM Teacher Intern Credentialing Program is the first teacher designed and initiated credential program in the country and is a dramatic departure from conventional teacher preparation programs today.

The program is a partnership between OTM and a consortium of participating schools and school districts, including currently committed schools from San Jose, Oakland, and Alameda. Working teachers will earn a single or multiple subject teaching preliminary credential over the course of 24 months. Using the job embedded coaching method pioneered by OTM, the program will focus on the personal and professional development of new teachers, grounded in their actual experiences with students in the classroom.

Over the course of two school years, participants will become part of a team of new teachers and will work with experienced coaches to become powerful leaders and inspired educators. Teachers will participate in a 5 day summer institute, meet weekly in cohorts of 12-15 teachers, meet weekly with a coach in a smaller group of 3-4, and be observed and observe master teachers a minimum of twice per month. The program will culminate with a presentation of a final portfolio for evaluation by a group of senior faculty from Universities all over the Bay Area. The program is unique in its level of personalization, with individual attention paid to each teacher’s practice, the functioning of their school, and the achievement and well being of their students.

Upon completion of the program, teachers will have demonstrated the skills and knowledge required by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Beyond these content areas, though, the program will pay particular attention to the less tangible but often more important characteristics of excellent teachers: a sense of purpose, the ability to build relationships, inspiration, a commitment to social justice, and habits of heart and mind that promote connection and deep learning. The combination of rigorous study and individualized professional development will require teachers completing the program to far exceed the minimum requirements to “get the piece of paper.”

The Reach Intern Teacher Program is offered exclusively to teachers employed by our partner schools.