Learn to Teach for Social Justice

The San Francisco Teacher Residency has a strong commitment to preparing and supporting residents to teach for social justice. From the first day of our orientation, throughout our student teaching seminars, and through the last day of fieldwork at the close of the school year, we immerse residents in learning experiences that empower them as teacher leaders for social justice both in and out of their classrooms. Residents learn about and through culturally relevant, anti-racist teaching practices, and are prepared – in the words of former SFUSD Superintendent Richard Carranza – to serve as “equity crusaders” in SF public schools.

Orientation to Teaching and Leading for Equity

The SFTR year begins in late July with a 1-week orientation, during which time we cover topics that include:

• History of racial segregation and school choice in San Francisco
• “Respect” in the classroom, and the school-to-prison pipeline
• Exploring dominant and non-dominant aspects of social identity
• Courageous Conversations About Race

Student Teaching Seminar with an SFUSD Focus

The entire cohort meets every week for a 3-hour student teaching seminar taught by SFTR staff, SFUSD leaders, and university faculty. The seminar is designed to help foster a community of residents that practices “critical love” – meaning, a space where we both support and challenge each other. The curriculum of this yearlong course explores pressing community and school-based issues impacting students, families, and teachers. Seminar topics include:

• Restorative Practices (also referred to as Restorative Justice)
• Anti-Racist and “Warm Demander” Pedagogy
• Community & Family Engagement
• Culturally Relevant Approaches to “Classroom Management”
• The Role of “Play” in a Liberatory Education
• SFUSD instructional initiatives (Complex Instruction, common core math, balanced literacy, etc.)