Partner with Longhorns in Residence
Longhorns in Residence (LIR) partners with Texas school districts to prepare highly qualified, classroom-ready teachers through a yearlong teacher residency model. Together, we develop exceptional educators who are equipped to meet the needs of today’s students while helping districts strengthen and sustain their teacher pipelines.
Benefits
As part of The University of Texas at Austin, a leading R1 research institution and home to a nationally recognized College of Education, Longhorns in Residence combines rigorous academic preparation with extensive classroom experience.
- Access to highly qualified teacher residents prepared through UT Austin’s educator preparation program
- Research-informed curriculum taught by expert faculty
- A residency model that emphasizes hands-on classroom experience
- Ongoing collaboration with university faculty and staff
- A strategic approach to recruiting and retaining future teachers
- Fully online coursework that allows districts across Texas to participate, regardless of location
Longhorns in Residence is also an approved Teacher Residency Preparation Route (PREP) program and can partner with districts both within and outside the PREP framework.
How to Be a Strong District Partner
Successful partnerships are built on collaboration, shared commitment, and strong support for resident teachers.
District Partners Typically Provide
- A dedicated district staff member to coordinate residency activities and support residents and mentor teachers
- Executive-level commitment, including support from district leadership and the superintendent
- Campuses with strong instructional cultures and stable leadership
- Opportunities for residents to develop and teach original lessons
- Qualified mentor and host teachers who can support resident growth
- Participation in ongoing partnership governance and continuous improvement efforts
This combination of district leadership, campus support, and collaborative planning creates a high-quality residency experience for both residents and mentor teachers.
District Partner Commitments
- Provide resident teachers with a minimum annual salary of $20,000
- Provide mentor teachers with a minimum annual stipend of $1,500
- Support resident placement and professional development throughout the residency year
- Collaborate with UT Austin to ensure a successful residency experience including adhering to residency governance requirements
Resident Certification Areas
Partner districts may host residents pursuing certification in:
- Early Childhood-6th Grade English as a Second Language Generalist
- Early Childhood-6th Grade Bilingual Education
- All-level Special Education
These certification pathways help districts address critical workforce needs while building a pipeline of well-prepared educators.
For the 2026-27 academic year, Longhorns in Residence expanded to include coordinated district placements for UT Austin undergraduates majoring in Special Education and STEM fields, who will serve as residents in the program.
Current District Partners
Longhorns in Residence currently partners with:
From Our Partners
Contact Us
Sarah Johnson
Project Manager-Teacher Education Residency Programs
Explore a Partnership
Longhorns in Residence welcomes conversations with school districts interested in developing a teacher residency partnership. We currently serve districts throughout Central Texas and are expanding into the Greater Houston region for the 2027-28 academic year, with additional regional expansion planned based on district interest and workforce needs.