Mercedes Independent School District has been named a two-time recipient of the Texas Education Agency’s (TEA) Texas Strategic Staffing Grant for its Teacher Residency Program. The district has selected the Region One Education Service Center’s Teacher Alternative Certification Program as its official Educator Preparation Program (EPP) partner for this initiative.
The Texas Strategic Staffing for Teacher Residency Programs grant provides a two-year framework for districts and educator preparation programs to create and sustain high-quality, year-long residencies through the 2025–2026 and 2026–2027 school years.
Teacher residencies blend a full-year classroom experience for incoming teachers while they complete their certification. Participants learn how to teach while co-teaching alongside a highly trained and qualified host teacher in their community school district. The culmination of their preparation yields an Enhanced Standard Teacher Certificate.
Through this grant, Region One ESC will play a dual role serving as Mercedes ISD’s teacher residency partner, preparing residents through coursework, mentorship and certification support; and providing technical assistance to support the district’s implementation of the residency model as part of the TEA’s statewide Texas Strategic Staffing initiative.
The collaboration aims to strengthen the teacher pipeline by providing residents with hands-on classroom experience, mentorship and financial support as they complete their certification, according to Region One ESC Educator Preparation Administrator Marissa Falcon.
"Through this partnership, Mercedes ISD and Region One ESC will design and implement a high-quality, year-long residency model that prepares future teachers to meet the evolving needs of classrooms," Falcon said. "Together, we’re building a sustainable pathway for aspiring educators to enter the profession well-prepared and supported from day one.”
Mercedes ISD Interim Superintendent Dr. Alicia Noyola shared that partnering with Region One ESC through the Teacher Residency Program allows the district to support a new generation of educators who are strongly connected to their classrooms, students, and community.
“This partnership gives us the opportunity to strengthen our educator pipeline and ensure that new teachers begin their careers with the preparation and support needed to succeed,” said Dr. Noyola. “By supporting aspiring teachers, we’re supporting our students, ensuring they learn from innovative, well-prepared, and dedicated educators.”
Residency participants at Mercedes ISD will serve in instructional support roles such as tutoring, substitute teaching or paraprofessional positions, allowing them to contribute meaningfully to their campuses while completing certification requirements.
Region One ESC is preparing to support more districts through the Texas Strategic Staffing initiative as a Technical Assistance Provider and as a State Board For Educator Certification approved Teacher Residency Program.
Learn more about the Texas Strategic Staffing initiative from TEA. Aspiring teachers can get started on their journey to certification at www.esc1.net/eppinterest.