Teaching residents to shadow at Aspire

Two teaching residents will join Aspire Public Schools in Empire and the Ceres area next year, and are among 19 residents joining the novel program at the nonprofit's charter schools across California.

The program — the first of its kind in the nation, according to Aspire — grants teaching residents a teaching credential and master's degree in education. Participants shadow a veteran teacher for the school year, then lead their own classrooms in an Aspire school the next year.

Jacob Weiler of Chicago will shadow a teacher at Aspire Vanguard College Preparatory Academy in Empire this coming year. He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind.

Amanda Haynam will join the staff of Aspire Summit Charter Academy on Hatch Road. Haynam is a graduate of California State University, Stanislaus.

"By integrating the study of educational theory with hands-on, classroom teacher training, these residents are immersed in the Aspire approach to teaching and learning from the moment they join us," said Heather Kirkpatrick, Aspire vice president of education.

The Aspire approach uses a data tracking system that allows teachers to benchmark, research and collaborate across 30 schools, Kirkpatrick said. Aspire serves about 10,000 students in its schools, including Aspire University Charter School in north Modesto and seven schools in Stockton.