A residency program, like Greenfield Residency for Educational speciAlisTs, is an alternative pathway for students seeking a preliminary teaching credential in Special Education for either Mild/Moderate Support Needs (MMSN) or Extensive Support Needs (ESN). Other pathways to becoming a credentialed teacher include traditional student teaching and teaching under an emergency intern permit while going through the credential program in the evenings or on weekends. 

Residency programs provide teacher candidates with the best training to become a teacher and give residents a network of mentors and staff who are dedicated to their support. Teachers who participate in a residency have the confidence of being well-prepared to start teaching in their own classroom and managing their own caseload.

Residencies are unique from other pathways because they are a partnership between a university and a cooperating school district to provide resources and training to teacher candidates. Mentor teachers are selected from highly qualified teachers who are vetted by both CSU, Bakersfield and Greenfield Union School District. Selected mentors receive two hours of monthly training in adult coaching as well as understanding mentor and teaching standards. Careful consideration is given to mentor and resident matches to ensure that their personalities work well together. 

The GREAT Residency is a year-long program based on an academic year. The program runs for an entire school year beginning in August and ending in June.