Mercedes ISD recognized its inaugural cohort of teacher residents during a ceremony on December 16, 2025, at Ruben Hinojosa Elementary School. Elementary students and mentor teachers expressed their pride and gratitude as seven University of Texas Rio Grande Valley College of Education and P-16 Integration graduates were celebrated for completing a yearlong, paid residency program built on hands-on classroom experience.
Modeled after medical residencies, teacher residency programs blend a rigorous full-year classroom placement with high-quality mentorship. Residents learn how to teach by co-teaching alongside a host teacher, gradually taking on more responsibility throughout the year. Upon completion, residents earn an Enhanced Standard Teacher Certificate, which acknowledges their extensive clinical experience and qualifies them to teach in Texas.
Mathew Quintanilla, who completed his residency teaching 5th grade math, said the experience shaped his development as an educator.
“This experience was like no other," Quintanilla said. "In traditional observations as a student teacher, you do not get the control or opportunity to grow into a teacher and lead a classroom."
The newly certified teacher said his goal is to start teaching as soon as he can, feeling confident in the learning opportunities he accessed through the residency program.
“My mentor has been very helpful, taking the time after school to teach me how to plan and internalize lessons - even going into the little things like taking attendance or lining up students. These are things you can only learn in a teacher residency program.”
Through the Texas Strategic Staffing Grant, Mercedes ISD received funding to access technical assistance from Region One Education Service Center to develop and sustain its teacher residency program in partnership with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. The initiative is part of a statewide effort to strengthen teacher preparation pipelines and increase retention of well-trained educators.
Mercedes ISD Interim Superintendent Dr. Alicia Noyola said teacher residencies provide invaluable preparation for student teachers.
“Research shows that teacher residents come in well prepared to enter the classroom,” Dr. Noyola said. “Through residencies, our teachers are gradually trained to eventually take over the classroom. One of the great things the participants gain is the ability to apply for jobs with a full year of teaching experience, something school systems are always looking for. It is a benefit student teachers usually do not have.”
The district is preparing to onboard its next cohort of resident teachers from the Region One Education Service Center's Teacher Alternative Certification program. Aspiring educators interested in beginning their certification journey can get started at www.esc1.net/teachercert.
School systems interested in learning more about teacher residency partnerships may contact the Region One Educator Preparation & Development team at mfalcon@esc1.net.