Denair Unified School District employs about 85 teachers across its four campuses. In an average year, 10 or so will leave for various reasons. Some retire, some move away, some go to other school districts. Replacing them can be time-consuming, expensive and, at least in the short term, impact the consistency of instruction in the classroom.

Superintendent Terry Metzger decided to add another layer to her recruiting strategy this year, one that she believes will pay long-term dividends. The district formed a partnership with Stockton-based Teachers College of San Joaquin to place two beginning instructors in Denair classrooms, where they will be mentored for the entire year by two highly respected and successful instructors. If all goes well, the young teachers will gain valuable experience while earning their teaching credentials, enabling them to step into full-time roles in Denair in the 2025-26 school year.

Better still, the Denair Teacher Residency Program doesn’t cost the district a penny. Denair applied for and received two state grants worth more than $500,000, which covers the cost of the program for two years. One of the grants already has been approved for a two-year extension worth $300,000. Each resident receives a stipend of $30,000.

“It’s critical that the district has a highly qualified teacher in every classroom,” Metzger explained. “With the teacher shortage, that is getting more and more difficult. By providing a pathway for people to pursue a teaching career in our district, we are able to customize the support they need and provide them with tools that will contribute to their long-term success here in Denair.”

Both of the teachers in training – known as residents – have connections to Denair.

Zackary Cherry graduated from Denair High in 2020 and spent last year working as a noon duty supervisor there while pursuing his bachelor’s degree. He is working with mentor Jim Wagner to teach economics, world history, marketing and entrepreneurship, and sports PE at the high school.

Carlos Mendoza was a paraeducator at Denair Middle School the past two years and was encouraged to apply for the residency program by DMS Principal Gabriela Sarmiento. He is shadowing mentor Robyn Hilton to teach math 3, math 3 honors, consumer math and trigonometry, also at Denair High.

It is no accident that both of this year’s residents have history in Denair.

“We aspire to develop a program that effectively identifies dedicated community members who are interested in teaching and who are invested in the success of Denair students,” said DMS math teacher and Teacher Residency Liaison Roxi Lagos.

Added Metzger: “The Teacher Residency Program is a way for us to reduce barriers for local residents to pursue a teaching career and a wonderful way to increase belonging for those new teachers during the first year in a challenging profession.”

The relationship between Cherry and Wagner dates back many years. Wagner had Cherry as a student in eighth grade at DMS and then again during his sophomore and senior years at DHS.

“I feel as though I have been a mentor to him for many years -- as a teacher, a coach and now a colleague,” said Wagner, who has taught for 20 years. “One thing that has always remained the same is our ability to communicate. In class, he always knew what I was leading to and sometimes answered the questions before they were asked. Today, we share many common insights into the study of the social sciences and to classroom management.”

Cherry has deep respect for Wagner and said he absorbs more each day about classroom management, building effective relationships with students and presenting the subject material in interesting and engaging ways.

“I’ve learned to have a firm but friendly attitude; we can have fun but still get stuff done,” Cherry said. “And prepare, prepare, prepare -- you can never go wrong when you are ready for your lesson the night before. Speak with confidence. If you are unsure of what you are teaching, the kids will be even more lost than before.”

Since school began, the two have formed an efficient partnership.

“In economics and marketing and entrepreneurship, I am more of an assistant,” Cherry said. “I will walk around and assist kids as needed and Mr. Wagner is up front giving the lesson. For the world history class, I am up front giving the lesson and Mr. Wagner is in the back ready to jump in if I ever get stuck.”

Unlike Cherry and Wagner, Mendoza and Hilton did not know each other before the school year began. That didn’t stop them from quickly forming a close bond.

“We both genuinely care about students and their well-being,” said Hilton, who has been at Denair High for 11 years. “We have enjoyed getting to know each other and our teaching styles, and I think we have made a really great team in the classroom and our students are benefiting from the partnership.”

So far, Hilton has taken the lead in presenting lessons, with Mendoza circulating to work with students.

“As the year progresses, our roles will be switching, so Carlos will have more of the main teaching role and I will be doing more assisting,” said Hilton. “It has been really helpful to have a co-teacher in the room as we design lessons and evaluate assessments.”

Mendoza said he learns every day by observing how Hilton confidently presents complicated math concepts while earning the respect of her students.

“The most important part of teaching is ensuring that students learn. Yes, make the lesson interesting, creative and fun, but don’t get lost in the bells and whistles of the lesson,” he said, adding that it’s also important to give students enough time to process the information and ask questions. “A trick would be to count to 10 in my head before I move on with the lesson.”

Feedback for the residents comes in the form of daily conversations with their mentors as well as the once-a-month written evaluation required by TCSJ. The residents also attend all staff meetings and participate in training with their peers.

Denair Unified is seeking young teachers who would like to apply for spots in the Teacher Residency Program starting in January 2025 or for the 2025-26 school year. The deadline to apply for January 2025 is Oct. 15. For more information, contact the Roxi Lagos at rlagos@dusd.k12.ca.us.