FAQs Teacher in Residence
A district must be willing to hire you for a teaching position. Rio Salado College can work with traditional public schools, public charter schools and private schools as long as a Memorandum of Understanding has been established and the placement is not fully online. Applicants must pass the Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessment (AEPA/NES) in the content/subject area for which they are being hired – see the following website for more: www.aepa.nesinc.com
A middle grade NES exam is not an acceptable exam for applicants applying to the Teacher in Residence program.
- Final scores may take 4-6 weeks.
Special Education interns may be required to complete additional NES exams based on the needs of the hiring school system. Contact your human resources department to verify. Currently, there is NO subject exam for Special Education.
Prior to the completion of the program, applicants need to take and successfully pass the NES Professional Knowledge exam. Further information on these exams and the certification requirements can be found at:
No, the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) only regulates the completion of the certification hours.
Rio Salado is able to offer certification coursework in the areas of: Elementary (K-8), Special Education (K-12), and Secondary (6-12). An Institutional Recommendation (IR) is provided to the ADE and student teaching is included on the candidate's transcript.
The intent of the TIR program is to ensure a "highly qualified," certified teacher in all Arizona classrooms. It is based on the following:
- The ability to work in the same classroom, while completing the state-approved certification program
- Completion of the program results in the student receiving a standard teaching certificate
All districts are eligible for the partnership. If you see an opening posted on a district website, have passed the AEPA/NES in the specified area, and are interested in applying with the district for an Alternative Teaching Certificate, Rio is willing to work with your chosen district to explain the Teacher in Residence Program.
No, but it is preferred. The idea behind this program and the Alternative Teaching Certificate is to build continuity for the teaching candidate and the school district.
The Alternative Teaching Certificate will be revoked and your contract offer will be voided with the school district. The Alternative Teaching Certificate is only issued one time – candidates cannot request a new certificate at a later date nor can you use it at a school/district other than the one for which it was issued. Once an Alternative Teaching Certificate has been revoked you are ineligible to receive an Alternative Teaching Certificate for 5 years and will never again be able to obtain an Emergency Certificate.
At this time you can use the AEPA study tools available online. Rio Salado does not offer a special workshop for the NES exams.
The student will pay current Governing Board approved tuition per credit hour, and registration, course and student teaching fees.
Elementary is 43 credit hours, Secondary is 34 credit hours, and Special Education is 44 credit hours.
Contact the Financial Aid office or follow the procedures online to apply for Financial Aid.
The Teacher in Residence Program is available anywhere in Arizona because it is offered using a distance e-learning format. The only difference for a candidate outside of Maricopa County is the evaluation process.
For additional questions please contact the TIR Outreach Specialist at 480-517-8140.