Teacher Residency Program in Special Education

We’re excited to share an opportunity in partnership with the Washington Education Association (WEA) and Pasco Association of Educators (PAE): the WEA Teacher Residency Program—a pathway to earning a Special Education teacher certification through a fully paid, year-long residency.

This program is designed for:

• Current PSD employees (including paras, emergency subs, and classified staff)
• Community members
• Individuals with a bachelor’s degree who do not yet hold a teaching certificate

If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a Special Education teacher, this is a fantastic way to begin that journey.

Learn More at an Upcoming Info Night
Join us at one of our information sessions to get details on the program, benefits, and how to apply:
Dates: April 22, June 4, and August 28
Time: 4:15 – 6:00 p.m.
Location: Pasco Association of Educators (PAE), 500 N. 20th Ave., Pasco, WA

Program Highlights

• Paid apprenticeship with benefits
• Paraeducator salary from January–June 2026
• $40,000 residency salary from September 2026–June 2027
• Co-teaching experience with trained mentors
• Equity-focused, student-centered coursework in a supportive cohort model
• Full support from WEA, PAE, PSD, and instructional mentors
• Earn a Special Education teaching certificate

Key Details

• Eligibility: PSD staff and community members with a bachelor’s degree committed to a career in Special Education
• Application Window: April 15 – September 15, 2025
• Future Benefits:
  • Conditional job offer upon certification
  • Start on BA + 90 credits salary scale—thousands more per year than a typical first-year teacher
  • Fully prepared and confident on day one

To learn more, visit the WEA Teacher Residency website or email questions to admissions@washingtonea.org.

We’re proud to support this opportunity to grow our educator pipeline and invest in the future of special education in Pasco.