Fisher Introduces Paid Residency/Apprenticeship Pathway for Career Changers Pursuing Inclusive Education

St. John Fisher University has added a Master of Science in Inclusive Education residency/apprenticeship option for career changers looking to move into the world of teaching.

This new program, offered in both childhood inclusive education and adolescence inclusive education, provides graduate teacher candidates with a yearlong paid and full‑time immersive classroom experience that leads to initial New York State teacher certification. Residents are hired in partnership with local school districts and work alongside an experienced mentor co‑teacher, applying their graduate coursework directly to daily classroom practice. Fisher currently partners with Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES, Bloomfield Central School District, Lyons Central School District, North Rose-Wolcott Central School District and Hilton Central School District. 

“The residency/apprenticeship model is an innovative approach to teacher preparation that the needs of today’s schools and tomorrow’s workforce. Our candidates earn while they learn, contribute meaningfully to their host districts, and graduate ready to lead inclusive, high‑impact classrooms,” said Dr. Joellen Maples, dean of the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. School of Education. “This program also reflects the power of strong partnerships between Fisher and our local school districts. By learning alongside expert mentor teachers for an entire year, our residents gain the skills, judgment, and professional habits that set them up for long‑term success in the classroom.”

Current student Emma Spelman graduated from Fisher first with a bachelor’s degree in pharmaceutical studies in 2024 but knew by her senior year that she wanted to pursue another career path. After taking a semester off and doing some self-reflection, she knew that teaching was calling her name.

“Teaching has always been on my heart. I used to help run a youth girls soccer camp in my hometown throughout high school and teaching the next generation of players made my heart so full. I felt like I was doing something to help these girls which made me so passionate about wanting to help kids grow and learn. Fisher’s inclusive childhood education program had all the pieces that fit into that passion,” said Spelman.

During the application process, she learned about the newly designed program and was enticed by what it offered up front: the opportunity to immerse herself right inside of a classroom.

“This residency/apprenticeship program gave me an opportunity to spend an entire year in the classroom with amazing school-based educators and gain so much knowledge about what the school year is really like. The more opportunities to make mistakes and be able to learn from them the better,” she said.

The 36-credit hour program is completed in one year and students are paid throughout their program a total of $25,000 for their work in the classroom. Spelman, whose undergraduate education did not include any School of Education courses, said that the program courses coupled with the experience in the role has prepared her well for her own classroom one day.

“The salary has helped me to be able to focus on this opportunity. I am able to give 100% of my time to my student teaching and can give my students my best because I am not stressed about another job or the financial burden traditional student teaching may bring,” she said.

Clinical supervisor of the program, Rich Ognibene, emphasized the importance of putting the students right in the classroom from the start, allowing them to see the full teaching picture while learning the content.

“Through coursework, classroom experience, and mentoring, our residency program allows students to develop the pedagogical skills and the humanity necessary to be a great teacher,” he said.

For Spelman, this program began right when she needed it and has answered her long-embedded passion but new calling to teach.

“I had no idea where my next path was going to lead me, but the advisors at Fisher were so helpful and informative about this program. Although I do not have a bachelor’s in education, I felt welcomed with open arms by people who are passionate about helping me become the best teacher I can be. I would recommend this program to anyone looking to make a career change,” she said.

Learn more about the M.S. in Inclusive Childhood Education Residency/Apprenticeship or the M.S. in Inclusive Adolescence Education Residency/Apprenticeship programs.