The Fallbrook Union Elementary School District identified this staffing challenge and committed to using a spirit of innovation to ensure that students across their nine school sites would be well-supported this fall. As a smaller, K-8 district located in the northern-most part of San Diego County, FUESD noted a sharp decline in applicants for their posted job openings. They also identified a challenge with retaining candidates who were hired, noting that the size, location, and transient nature of the military communities they serve contributed to this challenge. While these barriers were clear, Fallbrook also noted their assets. Their district included a strong core of classified employees serving as interventionists, paraprofessionals, substitute teachers, inclusion support providers, and more. These invested community members had long track records of student service and were an integral part of the district’s success.

Knowing this, Fallbrook reached out to the University of La Verne. The teacher education program at this private institution has long-standing historical roots in Southern California and recently expanded their accreditation to include virtual course delivery. With programs specifically designed to meet the needs of California’s diverse student population, and modality options tailored for working adults, a partnership with Fallbrook and La Verne showed immediate promise.

Together these agencies created a classified employee development program, welcoming current Fallbrook employees to apply for 10 competitive spots in a fall residency cohort. Teacher residency models take advantage of state intern eligibility, allowing credential candidates to serve as paid, teachers of record within their districts while pursuing their teaching credentials at an Institution of Higher Education. State funding was secured to fund this model, providing pathways to promote existing classified staff into certificated roles. The Fallbrook model is especially supportive because it includes funding for resident candidates to be paired with a district coach and a university intern mentor throughout their credential program. Selected candidates who will earn California a multiple subject credential upon completion of the program also agree to serve in the district for a minimum of three years upon completion of the program, further supporting long term staffing needs for the district.

Applicants completed an application and interview process, which included interviews by board members and district administrators. Ultimately 10 candidates were selected for the inaugural cohort, receiving a full tuition scholarship, books, and an intern employment contract for the 22-23 school year.  Awarded candidates have decades of combined service in the Fallbrook District, bringing with them an extensive understanding of the community they serve. Further, selected candidates mirror the demographics of the student population, including many bilingual individuals and long-term Fallbrook residents.

The Fallbrook cohort began their credential courses this summer in an asynchronous online format that allows them to interact in real time with their La Verne professors without the need to commute to campus. They are looking forward to meeting their first classroom of students in the fall.  Fallbrook Director of Human Resources, Brian Morris shared his excitement surrounding this innovative partnership, noting, “We are thrilled to support this talented group of future educators. We are confident that this investment in folks who are already connected to our schools will not only benefit our district, but our community at large.”