Teacher U

KIPP NC Teacher U is dedicated to preparing candidates who are employed at a KIPP NC elementary or secondary schools, focused on student achievement, continuous school improvement and professional development, in service of KIPP NC’s mission.

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The Educator Residency Program is an accelerated 13-month program created to prepare current KIPP North Carolina teachers in meeting NC DPI licensure requirements. We offer: 

  • Free tuition 
  • Elementary (K-6), SPED/EC (K-12), Middle School ELA (5-8) Licensure 
  • 2-4 courses per semester (non-credit bearing)
  • Virtual (Asynchronous) and Live weekly Synchronous classes via Zoom
  • Cohort model to support & systematic plan of study
  • Personalized support with licensed Mentor Teachers who provide onsite coaching and observations

Cohort candidates must fulfill all requirements set forth by NC DPI Residency License requirements. This includes yearly licensure renewal, employment, testing, coursework, etc. Enrollment in KIPP NC Teacher U program does not guarantee employment or fulfillment of all licensure requirements. Please always consult with NC DPI & KIPP NC Teacher U websites regarding processes and deadlines.

Download the 26-27 KIPP NC Teacher U Residency Flyer to learn more.

KIPP North Carolina Teacher U Program Requirements

Course of Study
Completion of the required course of study with a 70% (or a C-) in all courses and a minimum 2.7 GPA.

Professional Learning
A minimum of 35 hours of verified professional learning each semester.

Field Experience
Completion of 12 hours of field experiences.

Course work and Residency Teaching Requirement
Satisfactory completion of your clinical Residency in Teacher U for at least one (1) academic year.

NC Required Exams
Attempt all NC State Board of Education (NCSBE) required content area exam(s) for the requested licensure area (Praxis and/or Pearson) AND attempting and/or passing score on the edTPA assessment

Five-Year Post-Program Service Commitment: Enrollment in KIPP NC Teacher U is free of charge to accepted candidates. In return for this opportunity and upon successful completion of the program, you agree to work as a full-time employee of KIPP North Carolina for a minimum of three (3) consecutive years. If you voluntarily leave or are dismissed from employment from KIPP North Carolina before completing five years, you agree to pay $1,300 per uncompleted year, up to a total of $5,000.

Course and Program Snapshot

Admission Requirements

Earned Degree

An official, degree-conferred undergraduate transcript with proof of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education or equivalent earned at a recognized foreign institution.

GPA

A minimum of a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.7 on 4.0 scale*.

Employment with KIPP NC

Hired for a full-time classroom position at KIPP NC school (lead teacher or fellow) with a belief that ALL children can go to college, succeed in any career, and conquer any goal they decide to pursue. 

Exams

 24 credit hours of coursework in the requested licensure area OR passing scores on all North Carolina State Board of Education (NCSBE) required content area examination(s) for the requested licensure area (Praxis and Pearson).

Mindset and Beliefs

Demonstrated work ethic, follow-through on challenging tasks, and the discipline to prioritize, execute, and communicate early and often.

Successful applicants will be offered enrollment on a rolling basis and will be enrolled in Orientation (OR:000). The course must be completed by July 17, 2025 in order to fully enroll in Summer I and subsequent semester courses. Summer I classes begin July 20, 2026.

The application for the 2025-26 KIPP NC Teacher U is open from Dec. 8, 2025 thru Feb. 27, 2026 or until all spots are filled. Submission of an application does not guarantee admission into the program. 

Unmatched Support for All Participants

Personalized Coaching
Individualized one-on-one coaching is focused on the student’s development. Your assigned clinical supervisor or the program director will work together with students to build self-awareness and learn how to apply both the technical and adaptive skills learned in your course of study to set you up for success and build a strong foundation for success. In collaboration with your mentor teacher, students will solidify their personal approach to teaching and couple it with proven best practices to support diverse learners and create opportunity-centered spaces.

Tutoring 
Students will have the opportunity to engage in tutoring focused on successful completion of the required exams for licensure (e.g., Pearson, Praxis).

Professional Learning
In addition to coaching and observations, all admitted students are surrounded by others that understand this journey and are well-positioned to assist you in this journey. Students are required to complete a minimum of 35 of hours of professional learning each semester. Students are provided details regarding the ways in which they can satisfy their professional learning requirements in their day-to-day activities. In addition to the professional learning being aligned to building skills along the development roadmap, they are also designed to meet required course goals that support your journey toward residency. Some of these sessions will be offered by KIPP regional team members, school-based leaders, the KIPP Foundation, or NC Department of Public Instruction.

Frequently Asked Questions