West Texas A&M University is taking a new approach to preparing future educators through its newly launched Buff Residency program, a year-long paid teaching experience designed to help address ongoing teacher shortages across Texas and the nation.
The program, created by WT’s Department of Education, places aspiring teachers inside classrooms for an entire academic year, allowing them to gain hands-on experience while working alongside veteran educators. University officials say the initiative is aimed at strengthening teacher preparation and improving long-term retention in the profession.
“Research consistently shows that teacher residencies are a high-quality preparation pathway that improves pre-kindergarten through 12th grade student learning, strengthens teacher confidence, and supports long-term retention in the profession,” said Dr. Betty Coneway, head of the Department of Education and the Dr. Geneva Schaeffer Professor of Education and Social Sciences in the Terry B. Rogers College of Education and Social Sciences.
Unlike traditional student teaching assignments, which typically occur near the end of an education program and last only a few months, the Buff Residency begins earlier and continues throughout the full school year.
Allison Kleman, teacher residency site coordinator, said the extended format gives future educators a more complete understanding of the teaching profession.
“This extended experience allows residents to see the full scope of teaching—from the first day of school to end-of-year assessments—and to engage more deeply in the work of the classroom,” Kleman said. “Residents are active members of the school community, participating in planning, instruction and campus initiatives alongside their host teachers.”
The pilot year was launched through a partnership between WT, Canyon Independent School District and the US Prep National Center at Texas Tech University. Six students participated during the inaugural year and were assigned to four Canyon ISD campuses.
The residents included Jasmine Covarrubias, a senior education major from Hondo, at Lakeview Elementary School; Colton Gallandat, a senior education major from Joshua, at Pinnacle Intermediate School and Randall Junior and High School; Soleil Guckian, a senior education major from San Antonio, at Arden Road Elementary School; Alina Heredia, a senior education major from Borger, at Reeves-Hinger Elementary School; Tiffany Lunde, a senior education major from Amarillo, at Reeves-Hinger; and Maggie McIntyre, a senior education major from Liberal, Kansas, at Lakeview Elementary School.
The six students were recognized during a May 6 reception held at Canyon ISD administrative offices. University officials noted that Heredia and Lunde have already accepted teaching positions with Amarillo ISD for the upcoming school year.
Lunde said the residency experience provided valuable preparation for entering the classroom full time.
“I strongly encourage college students pursuing education to consider the residency program,” Lunde said. “The experience of supporting the same students throughout an entire school year provided both practical skills and confidence for my first year of teaching, while also helping me establish professional connections that led to early employment.”
Canyon ISD Superintendent Dr. Darryl Flusche said the program allows future educators to experience the realities of teaching while building relationships and confidence before leading their own classrooms.
“Through our partnership with WT and the Buff Residency program, these candidates experience the full rhythm of a school year while building the confidence and relationships needed for long-term success in the classroom,” Flusche said. “It’s an incredible way to prepare the next generation of educators.”
Students interested in the residency program must apply and meet eligibility requirements, including testing standards.
WT officials said the program is modeled after a residency initiative launched by the Texas Education Agency in 2021. Funding is supported through a combination of state-backed initiatives and district partnerships, including Texas Strategic Staffing and grants from Learning Acceleration Support Opportunities. School districts directly compensate residents while WT coordinates and helps sustain the program.
The Buff Residency also reflects WT’s longstanding ties to educator preparation in the Texas Panhandle. The university opened in 1910 as West Texas State Normal College, a school focused on training teachers. Today, university officials estimate that about 75 percent of teachers and administrators in the Panhandle region hold at least one degree or certificate from WT.
