Unfortunately, the answer is no. The design of a residency program is to train teachers who will then go work in a district classroom as employees. Per Seattle Public Schools’ guidelines, STR residents must be eligible to work in the United States and be in a position to make at least a 5 year commitment to the District (which includes a year of residency and 5 years as an employee). Seattle Public Schools does not sponsor work visas.

• A commitment to teach in Seattle Public Schools for a minimum of 5 years (post-residency)
• A passion for serving students from diverse backgrounds
• A strong commitment to social justice and equity
• A deep belief that ALL students can learn and deserve an equitable education
• An urgent sense of responsibility for student learning
• Openness and willingness to engage in the toughest questions re: equity, race, gender, socio-economics, as well as white supremacy, privilege and positionality
• A learner stance and commitment to ongoing reflection, collaboration and communication
• Organizational skills in time management, planning, scheduling, coordinating resources, and meeting deadlines
• Resilience, perseverance, and openness to ask for support – especially when faced with challenges
• Have volunteered in or have prior work experience in a) organizations that serve the academic, emotional, physical, social need of diverse students; b) in urban schools; c) serving K-12 youth
• Successful advocacy work with diverse populations (linguistic, cultural, social, and economic)
• Family, community and/or work experiences reflective of intentional commitments to access and equity

The admissions process is very competitive as we select candidates who are the best fit for our program.

We encourage EVERYONE who matches the descriptions above and feels deeply connected to our mission to apply!

Yes!  Applicants with a teaching license from another state are encouraged to apply.

Your references should be individuals who know you well and are able to speak to your potential in this program and in the teaching profession.  References from individuals who have seen you interact with children and youth, especially managers/supervisors, are strongly encouraged.  Academic references are especially important if you have a sub-3.0 GPA.

If you are working in schools, please ask school administration to complete your reference forms.

Please do not ask family or friends to fill out the reference forms.

See the application document on instructions for the reference forms.

• City Year – Seattle/King County
• TIPS Tutors
• Reading Partners
• UW Community Engagement and Leadership Education Center
• Seattle Public Schools Volunteer Opportunities 
• Technology Access Foundation
• Southeast Seattle Education Coalition
• Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle 
• College Success Foundation
• Denise Louie Education Center
• ACE Academy
• Horn of Africa
• Washington Ethnic Studies Now
• El Centro de la Raza
• School’s Out Washington
• Washington Service Corps

Visit the federal Department of Education website to learn more about loan forgiveness programs available for teachers such as Teacher Loan Forgiveness and Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

Residents are responsible for finding their own housing.

A car is not necessary for participation in the program.  Many of our past Residents have managed to successfully complete the program while using public transportation or car sharing.  Access to a car and public transportation is one factor in determining your placement site, so you can share this with the program managers.

First year teachers with Master’s degrees earn $82,680 per year (SY 2024-25). Please see this page for more updates.

The longer you serve in the SPS community, the more your pay increases each year. SPS’ salary schedule is based on total years of teaching experience combined with number of college credits earned. See the Collective Bargaining Agreement link above for more information.

Washington state continues to be a high-ranking state in teacher salary.

Current Classified staff in SPS do not receive the $20,000 stipend.  Instead, they remain employees of SPS earning their salary and benefits while receiving tuition support from the school district through the Classified to Certificated program. More information on the “Class to Cert” programs, including STR, can be found here: https://www.seattleschools.org/departments/HR/careers/academy_for_rising_educators

Contact Tristan Wiley tawiley@seattleschools.org at SPS’ Academy for Rising Educators for more information!

When registering for each test, when you are on the “Institutions to Receive Score Report” screen, please make sure to add University of Washington (Seattle) to receive the report.

If you are applying to more than one program at UW-Seattle, you do not need to request additional score reports.

No.  The GRE is not required (and not considered) in the admissions process!

All Washington teacher candidates are required to take a basic skills assessment in reading, writing, and math called the WEST-B exam. You must take this exam BEFORE you complete your UW graduate school application. 

ACT, SAT, PRAXIS I, and some other tests may also serve as a substitute for the WEST-B exam. You may ask your previous college, high school or College Board/ACT to retrieve your scores. 

Your scores must show reading, writing and math scores. If they do not show scores, you will need to take the WEST-B exam. Sign-up here. Upload official or unofficial score reports directly to the online UW Graduate application portal. WEST-B Test vouchers are available by emailing crystal@alliance4ed.org If you upload your score report on your own in your application, you do not need to send official scores to UW.

SAT/ACT scores prior to 2005 do not have a writing test that meets the basic skills requirement;  if you have older scores, these can be used for reading and/or math.  You’ll still need to take the WEST-B writing subtest in order to complete the basic skills assessment.

To report SAT scores: Call 866-756-7346 and ask that your scores be sent to University of Washington, Seattle, school code #4854. The cost is $12 for your score report plus $31 archive fee.

To report ACT scores: Contact Student Services Score Report (319-337-1270) to order your score report in addition to requesting your scores be sent to University of Washington, Seattle. ACT score reports cost $13.  Depending on the date the test was taken, you may be required to pay an additional $26 archive fee. Be sure to specify that your scores are sent to the University of Washington, Seattle.

If requesting older SAT or ACT scores, please verify that all 3 sections (Reading, Mathematics, Writing) were taken.  Writing is an optional section for both the SAT and the ACT.

You can register for the WEST-B at this link: http://www.west.nesinc.com/. You must take the WEST-B or report basic skills scores before you finish your graduate school application to UW.

You can register for the NES Elementary at this link: https://www.west.nesinc.com/TestView.aspx?f=HTML_FRAG/NT102_TestPage.html

For dual endorsements, you can register for the WEST-E Special Education or ELL.

Test dates are offered year round at multiple locations and can be taken multiple times.

Test preparation materials for the WEST-B can be found at https://www.west.nesinc.com/TestView.aspx?f=HTML_FRAG/WA095_PrepMaterials.html

Test preparation materials for the NES Elementary can be found at https://www.west.nesinc.com/TestView.aspx?f=HTML_FRAG/NT102_PrepMaterials.html

For dual endorsements, you can register for the WEST-E Special Education or ELL.

Proficiency in English is required for graduate study at the University of Washington.  If your first language is not English, applicants will be required to demonstrate proficiency in English.  More information on the specific requirements can be found at this link.

Graduates of the STR program are eligible for a Washington State Residency Certificate.  This certificate includes an endorsement in Elementary Education (K-8).  Residents in the STR program are required to add a second endorsement – their choice of English Language Learners or Special Education.  Typically, the second endorsement is granted after completing a state required practicum during the fall of your first year teaching.

Please note that the focus of the STR program preparation is in the K-5 age range and the expectation is that graduates fulfill their commitment to Seattle Public Schools teaching in a K-5 classroom.

Graduates of STR program are responsible for updating their Washington State Residency Certification with the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.