Your first year focuses on building deep classroom knowledge while staying employed in your school. You will engage in "purposeful observation," where you work alongside a veteran teacher to understand the "why" behind successful teaching moves. Beyond observing, you will practice collecting student data and assisting with family communication. Monthly meetings with a dedicated University coach and your mentor ensure you are supported both academically and professionally. You will also begin online evening coursework that translates directly to your daily work, helping you master essential teaching strategies for students with diverse needs.

The second year is a full-time student teaching residency where you move from assisting to leading. Following a "gradual release" model, you will progressively take on more instructional duties, starting with small groups and moving to leading the entire classroom. You will facilitate meetings, manage lesson plans, and implement specialized intervention programs for students. This year is designed to build your confidence and clinical precision. By the final semester, you will demonstrate full readiness for your teaching license while receiving intensive coaching to ensure you are prepared for your first year as a licensed professional.

NXT GEN Teach utilizes a two-year, job-embedded model where candidates learn through daily classroom practice. In Year 1, candidates engage in purposeful observation and "sacred planning" to understand the "why" behind instructional moves. Year 2 features a year-long student teaching residency using a Gradual Release of Responsibility framework. Candidates progress from assisting to leading 100% of instruction, ensuring they master High-Leverage Practices before graduation.

NXT GEN Teach addresses educational disparities by training paraprofessionals within their own school communities. Grounded in 22 High-Leverage Practices for special education, the program uses a two-year Gradual Release of Responsibility model. Candidates move from observation to lead teaching with mentor support, focusing on inclusive spaces and disrupting inequities. This data-driven approach ensures graduates are prepared for the academic and emotional needs of Minnesota's diverse learners.

NXT GEN Teach pairs candidates with expert mentors for two years of clinical coaching. This partnership ensures "gradual release of responsibility" through weekly planning and real-time feedback. A UMN Success Navigator provides wrap-around support via a "triad" model, aligning classroom practice with coursework. Candidates receive bi-weekly pulse checks and six formal observations annually to ensure mastery of High-Leverage Practices (HLPs).

NXT GEN Teach maintains instructional rigor through High-Leverage Practices (HLPs) for students with disabilities, delivered via a structured Gradual Release of Responsibility model.

Our tiered support system, which includes bi-weekly pulse checks and monthly "triad meetings" between candidates, mentors, and Success Navigator, ensures participant voice drives program adjustments. By aligning coursework with real-time school feedback, we ensure graduates meet the standards of Minnesota’s high-needs schools.