CMCSS Teacher Residency Program

09/03/2026

🍏🎓MEET THE GRAD!🎓🍏
Meet Sra. Carla Patterson!
When reflecting upon her Elementary Middle Teacher Residency experience, Carla shared "This program allowed me to finally achieve the dream I’ve had since I was a little girl. My dream may have been put on hold for a few years, but I was able to earn my degree with no student debt! The students I’ve had the opportunity to help teach have left a lifelong impact on me. As they were learning, I was learning too by growing into the teacher I wanted to be for them."
These words reflect the passion Sra. Patterson has for her Spanish Immersion Elementary community, where she completed her residency and then became a first-year 1st Grade teacher on the same team that mentored her through her journey!

09/01/2026

🍏🎓MEET THE GRAD!🎓🍏
Meet Ms. Peyton Dziadon!
Peyton is a first-year 7th grade math teacher at Northeast Middle School! Ms. Dziadon's residency culminated in recognition of her excellence, as she received an academic award from Austin Peay Eriksson College of Education in May. Then in August, she crossed the big stage at APSU before walking onto the stage she had spent 3 years working so hard for...her classroom!
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Peyton shared, "The most impactful part of my teacher residency was having the opportunity to learn from an experienced mentor teacher while working with students every day. It gave me the confidence and real classroom experience I needed to feel prepared for my own classroom."

Photos: Aundrea Raye Photography & Austin Peay State Eriksson College of Education

09/01/2026

Peace Out August! It has been a wonderful ride.
Hello September... We are excited to make it a great month!
📸: Shawntavia Caldwell, Elementary Teacher Resident at Hazelwood Elementary School

08/14/2026

🍏🎓MEET THE GRAD!🎓🍏
Meet Ms. Lynn Hicks

Today, Ms. Hicks will have completed the first full week with her students as a 7th Grade Science teacher at New Providence Middle School, where she also completed the Elementary Middle Teacher Residency.

Fun Fact: Lynn grew up as a military child and began school in Germany. She actually attended New Providence Middle for 7th and 8th grades before moving again and graduating from high school outside of Clarksville.

Ms. Hicks shared, "The most impactful thing about my teacher residency experience is that I found out how strong I can be along with the impact of having family and friends who will be your champion and help lead and guide you and knowing that the outcome will impact students and families."

Your hard work has paid off, Lynn! Congrats!!!

08/13/2026

🍏🎓MEET THE GRAD!🎓🍏
Meet Mr. Jimmy Zambrano-Menard!

Jimmy is a recent graduate of the Elementary Middle Teacher Residency program. Jimmy's teaching career launched this month at Northeast Middle School as a 7th grade science teacher! As a former bus driver, Jimmy was no stranger to serving the students of CMCSS.

When asked what he was most excited about for this school year Jimmy shared, "I am most excited about building positive relationships with my students and creating a classroom where they feel supported, challenged, and valued. I look forward to making a meaningful difference in their academic and personal growth each day."
Well done, Mr. Zambrano-Menard! Well done!

08/13/2026

WOOHOO! We are so excited to have these new residents who chose to train and teach with the best...CMCSS!

They started as educational assistants. In three years, they'll have their own classrooms.

We're proud to welcome 23 new Clarksville-Montgomery County School System teacher residents to the Grow Your Own Teacher Residency, a tuition-free, paid pathway to a teaching career and bachelor's degree.

"It makes it really easy to want to succeed because there's so much help," said incoming teacher resident Stefano Busico. "There's a community … and it's amazing."

Congratulations to our newest cohort! 🎉

Read more: https://www.apsu.edu/news/cmcss-grow-your-own-signing-day-2026.php

08/12/2026

🍏🎓MEET THE GRAD!🎓🍏
Meet Mrs. Denise Evans!

Denise is a 2026 teacher residency graduate who has embarked upon her 1st year in her own classroom at Glenellen Elementary. Denise is the definition of hard work, as she is a first generation college graduate who excelled in the teacher residency program and passed all of her licensure exams early! Denise shared that the most impactful part of her residency was, "The ability to learn as I was teaching and having a cohort where I found friendship."
Well done, Mrs. Evans!

08/11/2026

Teamwork makes teacher residency dreams work!
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These TEAMS are ready to TACKLE the new school year!
Teacher residents are not only paired with a mentor during the residency journey, they are also surrounded by school and grade level teams. Check out these back to school team photos with some elementary level residents.

08/10/2026

🍏🎓MEET THE GRAD!🎓🍏
First up in our graduation series, meet Jackie McCarrick! Jackie is a recent graduate of the Elementary Middle Teacher Residency in partnership with Nashville State Community College - Clarksville Campus & Austin Peay Eriksson College of Education.

Jackie completed her residency at Norman Smith Elementary School where her residency was nothing short of remarkable. Jackie's grit, dedication, & determination inspires all! Congrats on your residency completion Jackie! We are so proud of you!

08/07/2026

Today was their BIG DAY!
They graduated and now they are teachers who are ON THIER WAY!
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Con-GRAD-ulations to all of the 2023-2026 Elementary Middle Teacher Residents. We are so proud of your hard work, grit, and dedication. We are excited for the impact you will continue to make on the students of CMCSS!