Meet Jaqueline Jones, 5th grade teacher at 107th Street Elementary School in Watts. Mrs. Jones is also a resident mentor in the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools’ Teacher Residency program, which prepares and trains educators for a year in collaboration with Alder Graduate School of Education and allows them to earn their teacher credentials and master’s degrees. You can hear more about Mrs. Jones’s experience here.

As an experienced educator in the Teacher Residency program, Jacqueline Jones has grown significantly in her approach to teaching and role as a resident mentor. Initially, Mrs. Jones was hesitant to take on a resident teacher because she was accustomed to her personal teaching style and she was unsure about having another adult in the classroom. However, embracing this challenge led to unexpected growth. By adjusting and refining her teaching style to support her resident teacher, Mrs. Jones discovered new approaches that benefited her resident teacher and enhanced her own teaching practices. “I learned a whole new approach to teaching that helped my Resident and me. I wanted them to see that teaching can be challenging but fun at the same time,” she said.

The most rewarding aspect of mentoring, according to Mrs. Jones, is the recognition she receives from other resident teachers who want to observe her classroom. This acknowledgment reaffirms the value of her teaching and mentoring approach. Sharing ideas and seeing resident teachers thrive is deeply fulfilling, especially when the residents demonstrate a willingness to learn, accept constructive feedback, and grow professionally. Mrs. Jones believes that when resident teachers are receptive, challenges become virtually nonexistent.

Reflecting on the structure of the Partnership’s Teacher Residency program, Mrs. Jones appreciates how the program immerses residents in the full school year experience, starting from the first day and continuing through its conclusion. “They get the experience of what it would be like when they get their own classroom,” stated Mrs. Jones. She values the opportunities residents have to take on responsibilities such as substituting, which provides real-world insight into classroom transitions and dynamics.

Mrs. Jones shared that the program has also fostered a strong sense of community and collaboration among educators at 107th Street Elementary. She has observed how her current teacher resident has built meaningful connections with students, staff, and fellow teachers. She has also observed how well her resident teacher can bond with students through handshakes and conversations and engage in professional learning and collaboration with school staff. Mrs. Jones is proud of her role in cultivating an environment where mentorship, mutual support, and shared growth thrive.