Donna ISD is proud to celebrate 22 employees who are taking the next step in their professional journey by working toward becoming certified teachers.
Through the Teacher Residency Program, these aspiring educators will participate in a year-long, paid residency where they will work alongside experienced host teachers while gaining valuable, hands-on classroom experience. This residency model blends daily classroom practice with mentorship and structured support, helping future teachers build the skills and confidence needed to lead their own classrooms.
Teacher residency programs are widely recognized as an effective way to strengthen the educator workforce. By providing sustained, real-world teaching experience under the guidance of veteran educators, these programs help improve teacher readiness, increase retention, and create strong pipelines of well-prepared teachers for school districts.
Donna ISD is proud to partner with Region One Education Service Center (ESC) to provide this outstanding opportunity. Region One ESC supports educator preparation pathways and works with districts across South Texas to develop high-quality programs that prepare future teachers to meet the needs of today’s students.
This partnership not only strengthens teacher preparation, but also supports long-term retention and student success by investing in homegrown talent. These future educators already know our community, understand our students, and are committed to making a difference right here in Donna ISD.
Thank you to the Donna ISD Board of Trustees for their continued support and commitment to investing in our people and growing our own educators. Their vision helps create opportunities that benefit both our staff and our students.
We are excited to support these 22 future teachers as they begin this important and inspiring journey into the classroom.