Sheila Rocker Heppe, Ed.D.
Teacher Residency Program Development Manager
707-441-3912
Search HCOE.org
Search Pages:
Pages include all content, excluding "posts" such as press releases, news alerts, and featured job postings.
Search Posts:
Posts are time-sensitive content such as press releases and news alerts.
Search All Content:
Looking for a specific person? Search the Public Schools Online Directory.
Or search jobs or professional development opportunities.
Special Education Teacher Residency Program
The Humboldt Office of Education (HCOE) is pleased to announce funding awarded through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) competitive Teacher Residency Expansion Grant. In partnership with Cal Poly Humboldt, HCOE has created a consortium of Northern California county offices of Education and small school districts to offer up to 20 Teacher Residency Program candidates from across the region to obtain their Education Specialist credential. Each selected candidate will receive $25,000 to cover costs such as: program tuition and fees, textbooks, assessment/testing fees.
Paraprofessionals, classroom aides and others interested in becoming an Education Specialist teacher in the Northern California consortium counties (Del Norte, Humboldt, Lassen, Modoc and Plumas) are eligible to apply.
Program Details
The eligible candidates in the teacher residency program shall agree in writing to work as an education specialist in a California school for a period of at least four years, serving a caseload of pupils who receive special education services in a special education setting.
Ideally, the sponsored candidate will serve in the district where they served as a teacher resident. A candidate who fails to complete the period of placement and the service agreement of four years in California schools, will be expected to reimburse HCOE the amount of funding that was invested in the candidate’s residency training.
Eligibility Requirements
- Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s Degree or higher.
- Candidates have to be accepted to Cal Poly Humboldt’s Education Specialist Credential Program. Apply at https://www.humboldt.edu/education/credential-programs/special-education/eligibility-application
(Early application priority deadline has been extended until May 1st, 2025. All others open until full.) - Candidates may have the opportunity to work as a paid paraprofessional and agree to remain with that district as a special education teacher for four years upon completion of the credential.
- Candidates must participate in ongoing surveys throughout service years.
- Candidates must meet subject matter requirements prior to fall 2025.
Application Process
- Please meet with administration from prospective school site(s) to determine if there is a clear need for special education teachers within that district for the 2025/26 academic year. Visit the Schools & Districts page for a map and list of schools in the Northern California counties within the consortium.
- Complete the special education program application on the Cal Poly Humboldt Application Page.
- Complete the HCOE Special Education Teacher Residency Application by May 1, 2025.