BECOME A NEW REsident teacher

The Next Black Educator Workforce (NBEW) is a one- to two-year teacher credentialing and graduate studies program designed for college graduates who aspire to become certified middle or high school educators. Rooted in social justice and culturally responsive teaching, the program provides guaranteed school placement, hands-on classroom experience, graduate-level coursework, mentorship, financial literacy, and mental-health support.

Depending on the partnering university or graduate institution, participants may earn a Master’s in Education and/or a Preliminary Single Subject Teaching Credential upon successful completion of the program.

The program is for aspiring educators who have obtained a bachelor’s degree, are committed to social justice, and are passionate about teaching Black students in racially isolated communities. Applicants should be eager to center students' cultural frameworks and lived experiences while supporting educational equity.

For those already working as a non-credentialed classroom teacher, teacher assistant, paraprofessional, or other support role, the NBEW program can still be a great fit. If your school district is a partner with us, we would want you to remain in your current position while participating in the program. If your district is not a partner, we would be happy to speak with your administration or leadership to explore potential options for partnership and how we can support your continued growth.

The NBEW program includes:

• Guaranteed employment at a partner school site, as a teacher assistant or paraprofessional 
  
• Coursework and fieldwork through a partnering university or graduate institution 
  
• Student teaching, including observing seasoned educators, co-teaching with mentor teachers, and leading classrooms—gradually taking on more teaching responsibilities 
  
• Professional development on culturally responsive teaching, restorative justice practices, effective family engagement, etc. 
  
• Mentorship and leadership pathways in education 
  
• Access to mental-health and wellness resources  
  
• Financial literacy coaching and support

All applicants must begin their interest application through Project Sankofa.

The NBEW application process is designed to be supportive, guided, and centered on participant choice. Rather than applying directly to a university first or graduate program, all interested applicants start with Project Sankofa, which serves as the central intake and matching hub for the program.

Here’s how the process works:

1. Complete the NBEW Interest Form through Project Sankofa: All applicants must submit the NBEW interest application form. This allows our team to learn more about your background, interests, credentials, and geographic preferences.
2. Profile Review & Geographic Matching: The NBEW team reviews your profile, including your experience, subject interests, and geographic location (e.g., NorCal/Bay Area, SoCal, or statewide options). Based on this information, we identify the most appropriate partnering institutions or organizations for your pathway.
3. Partner Pathway Recommendation: Based on your profile, we will share recommended credentialing or graduate pathways that may be a strong fit. Participants always retain the right to choose which pathway they would like to pursue, and our role is to provide guidance, clarity, and support—not to assign placements.
4. Complete the Partner Institution Application: After you select your preferred pathway, you will complete the official application for the partnering institution or organization. Application requirements, timelines, and materials vary by program.
5. Joint Selection Process: Applicants move through a joint selection process involving both Project Sankofa/NBEW and the partnering institution. This may include interviews, additional materials, or follow-up conversations.
6. Notification & Next Steps: Final selection decisions and enrollment next steps will be communicated once the review process is complete. Application deadlines and decision timelines vary by program and partner, and will be shared clearly once you are matched.

Please note: Applying through Project Sankofa is the required first step to be considered for NBEW-supported pathways. However, we understand that in some cases this step may be missed. If you have already applied directly to a partnering institution or are in the process of doing so, we simply ask that you notify the NBEW team of your interest in partnering with us, as well as inform the partnering institution of your intent to be considered through the NBEW pathway. This allows us to coordinate effectively and ensure you receive the appropriate guidance and support. If you have questions at any point in the process or are unsure which pathway is right for you, we encourage you to reach out to us at nbew@projectsankofa.org. We are here to support you every step of the way.

Coursework is structured through a hybrid model, combining virtual coursework with in-person learning experiences, depending on the partnering institution and credentialing pathway. In-person components may include residencies, clinical practice, or cohort-based sessions designed to support immersive professional learning and community-building.

This flexible structure allows participants to balance coursework with professional responsibilities while still benefiting from meaningful face-to-face engagement, mentorship, and networking opportunities.

Tuition and program-related costs vary depending on the partnering university or graduate institution through which a participant completes their credential and/or degree. Participants are responsible for tuition and fees set by their selected credentialing partner. As a program of Project Sankofa, NBEW is committed to reducing financial barriers wherever possible. Financial aid options may include federal financial aid, scholarships, payment plans, and institution-specific supports, depending on the credentialing pathway. Some partnering institutions and school or district partners may offer additional stipends, funding, or supplemental programming beyond what NBEW provides. These offerings vary by partnership and will be communicated clearly to participants as details are confirmed.

NBEW is also actively working to secure housing-related support for participants. While some partners may already offer housing assistance or resources, our broader goal is to ensure equity and fairness across all cohorts. Our team works to share opportunities, experiences, and resources as equitably as possible across participants, even when supports differ by pathway.  As the program continues to grow, Project Sankofa is pursuing grants, fundraising, and expanded partnerships to increase stipends and financial supports and to reduce the overall financial burden for NBEW participants.

Your student teaching placement will be in one of our partner California schools that serves Black students in racially isolated communities. As this is a California-based program, we are currently encouraging applications from California residents only, and participants should be based in California for the duration of the program. Limited relocation assistance may be available on a case-by-case basis. 

Please email nbew@projectsankofa.org  for more details.

Program options vary based on the partnering institution. Most NBEW pathways integrate both the credential and the Master’s in Education experience; however, some universities may offer a credential-only route. Applicants should review the program details for their specific cohort or contact the NBEW team for guidance. We will continue to share future program updates as we evolve.

If you already have teaching experience or a degree in education, the NBEW program can still be a great fit for you. We welcome participants with a variety of educational backgrounds and professional experiences. The program is designed to build on your existing skills and knowledge while centering social justice and supporting Black students in racially isolated communities.

Whether you are seeking a teaching credential, a Master’s in Education, both a credential and a master’s, or professional growth and continued development as an educator, NBEW offers pathways that can align to your goals. Depending on the partnering institution and credentialing requirements, your prior experience may allow you to move through certain components of the program more efficiently.

Whether you are pursuing an additional certification, expanding your teaching practice, or deepening your culturally responsive approach to instruction, the NBEW program will support your continued growth and leadership as an educator.

NBEW collaborates with our partner schools and districts to guarantee that all graduates receive at least one teaching position offer. We also provide ongoing support as you transition into your career as an educator. In addition to our standard program, we offer an optional three years of induction support as you work toward gaining your Teaching Credential. 

While we encourage you to stay within the learning environment where you were placed for student teaching, as you will have built strong relationships and begun to make a meaningful difference, you may request our support for a different placement if needed. Regardless, you will join a network of NBEW alumni who share a commitment to educational equity and social justice, offering opportunities for continued mentorship, professional development, and collaboration.

For more information and to apply, visit www.projectsankofa.org/nbew-new-resident-teacher-program  or email nbew@projectsankofa.org.