UMSL’s Teach in Residency provides flexible path to career in education

UMSL's Teach in Residency provides flexible path to career in education

by Burk Krohe | Aug 10, 2026

Dennis Miller, Patryce Jackson and Erica Williams are among more than 500 individuals who have launched successful second careers through the innovative program.

Dennis Miller started his professional career in radio. Patryce Jackson was in corrections and law enforcement, while Erica Williams worked processing military records.

All have gone on to become dedicated, talented teachers in Missouri schools. In each case, the road to a successful second career in education was made possible by Teach in Residency, an innovative alternative certification program offered by the College of Education at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

The Teach in Residency program is aimed at individuals with bachelor's degrees who want to teach full-time while earning their initial teaching certification. Candidates teach for two years in a public, public charter or accredited private school with provisional certification, and during this time, UMSL provides the necessary coursework to earn full certification.

The flexible online classes are designed to be completed in six semesters, and there is also an option to take additional courses to earn a master's degree. Along the way, participants also receive support from trusted academic advisors and, in some cases, instructional coaches who help guide them through the program.

The College of Education has worked with a number of partners in the St. Louis region including the Hazelwood School District, KIPP St. Louis and the St. Louis Public School District, whose administrators have sought novel approaches to filling critical teacher shortages.

"Great teachers come from many paths," said Chanua Ross, director of project and program operations, professional learning and innovation for the College of Education. "Alternative certification provides a flexible and accessible pathway for talented professionals to transition into the field of education."

That's been the case for Miller, who is currently enrolled in the Teach in Residency program, as well as Jackson and Williams, who've both completed it. They are just three of more than 500 individuals who have leveraged the program to enter the education field.

Dennis Miller

As a young man headed to college, Miller was certain of his future career.

"I was going into radio," he said. "There was no question; there was no backup plan."

Miller, who was born blind, pursued that ambition, earning a bachelor's degree in broadcast communication from Truman State University in 1992. After graduation, he worked in radio for about five years until instability in the industry forced him to consider another path. However, he found that when one door closes, another opens.

"I got a call from a school district to the west of Kirksville, about 35 miles, and they had a student who had just become blind," Miller said. "They wanted to know if I could teach him Braille and computer skills. That's when I fell in love with teaching."

Miller served as a paraprofessional in the Milan C-2 School District for six years, working with that student until he graduated high school. From there, Miller, who had minored in political science, taught civics for a homeschool co-op in Kirksville, Missouri, for about a decade. He also taught English-as-a-second-language courses for three years before joining Northeast Christian High School in 2021.

His new role teaching American history motivated him to get serious about obtaining his teaching certificate and master's degree in education. He started to pursue that goal through a different certification program but continually ran into issues obtaining accessible course materials and tests. A contact at Truman State referred him to the Teach in Residency program at UMSL, where the difference has been night and day.

"UMSL has bent over backwards to accommodate me," Miller said. "The professors, the department, they have been incredible. I am so greatly appreciative of everything that they have done for me."

At Northeast Christian, Miller has earned a reputation for his engaging coursework. He utilizes primary sources such as the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution and the Missouri Constitution whenever possible and engages students through discussion.

"I love class discussions," he said. "I love engaging the students. We have a question of the week, where it doesn't have a right or wrong answer. It's designed to make them think outside the box a little bit."

The Teach in Residency program has only improved his practice. Chaebong Nam, assistant professor of social studies education, and Tom Stephens, assistant teaching professor, have been particularly influential. Miller said they've both been very accommodating and have made complex coursework with many moving parts easy to understand. He anticipates graduating from the program with his certification and MEd next summer, but it has already garnered positive results in the classroom and beyond.

In July, the National Federation of the Blind recognized Miller as the 2026 Blind Educator of the Year for his work at Northeast Christian. For him, there's no doubt UMSL has been a boon to his career.

"It's made me a better teacher," he said. "It's made me more confident. It's helped me in the classroom, understanding students' needs better. It's done so, so much. It's just so affirming. It reinforces that I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing."

Patryce Jackson

Jackson comes from a family of educators in East St. Louis, Illinois, but after high school, she didn't follow their lead initially.

"Every one of my aunts and uncles were a teacher or principal," Jackson said. "My mother taught school as well in East St. Louis, so I knew that I was going to fall back on education. But I needed to be able get into it my way."

That way has included many twists and turns, but it has ultimately led to a successful career with the St. Louis Public School District.

After a brief stint at Saint Augustine's University, Jackson joined the Jobs Corps program in St. Louis. The chief of the Beverly Hills Police Department saw her promise as a law enforcement officer and sent her to the St. Louis County and Municipal Police Academy.

At the Beverly Hills Police Department, Jackson also began substitute teaching with the St. Louis Public School District, feeling her family's influence. She then moved into corrections, rising through the ranks to become a lieutenant at the St. Louis Medium Security Institution and eventually leading a unit for individuals with special needs. The experience seeded her interest in special education and motivated her to become involved with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department's Crisis Response Unit, responding to 988 calls.

"I would see some of the same children that I saw at school as a substitute," Jackson said. "It became an opportunity for me to really get to talk to the kids prior to them getting into the facility or hopefully blocking them from going altogether."

During her time as a corrections officer, Jackson prioritized professional development and earned bachelor's and master's degrees in criminal justice from Harris-Stowe University and Lindenwood University, respectively.

However, when the St. Louis Public School District offered the chance to come aboard full-time at Compton-Drew ILC Middle School, Jackson decided to fully commit to a career in education. She enrolled in the Teach in Residency program to earn certification in special education and an MEd.

Coming from corrections, Jackson didn't have any issues commanding a classroom as a substitute, but at UMSL, she learned to be more relational and vulnerable with her students to build trust. She also credits Cynthia Armstrong, clinical evaluator and Teach in Residency coach, with patiently walking her through the finer points of the classroom environment and pedagogy.

"Now, I can go into a classroom and understand where a student may be struggling or even if the classroom is not set up properly," she said. "I learned that through UMSL. I never thought about the chairs or where the kids are sitting as being a problem, but you have to look at those things. Now, I can eliminate all the barriers to learning before they become a concern."

Other mentors in the College of Education including Ross, Stephens and Academic Advisor Lela Taussig were also instrumental to Jackson's success at UMSL. Jackson has built upon that foundation at Compton-Drew, where she forges strong bonds with her students by meeting them where they're at. Now, she's pursuing an EdS to earn her initial Missouri principal certification and plans to become a school leader - all thanks to the Teach in Residency program.

"I can't sit on the tools that were given to me," she said. "That would be a waste of time. UMSL has made me more employable. I really want to lead somewhere as an assistant principal. I see myself working and supporting a school in which I get the opportunity to lead. I really do."

Erica Williams

When Williams became a parent, she felt a sweeping "shift" in her life. She was determined to provide the best for her son and also seek more for herself.

As her son began to grow, Williams noticed he learned differently than others. To support him when he entered school, she volunteered in his classroom.

"The teacher stated, 'Hey, the kids really benefit from the strategies you're using with your son. This might be a field of interest,'" Williams said. "She said, 'I recommend that you take some courses and try it out.'"

At the time, Williams was working in record keeping and data entry at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, but she took the advice to heart and enrolled in a course at St. Louis Community College. It was the first step to what has become a brilliant career in education.

Williams earned an associate degree in early childhood education at STLCC and furthered her education with a bachelor's degree in child development at Central Methodist University. She then worked in early childhood education at Grace Hill Settlement House before moving to KIPP St. Louis, a pre-K-12 charter school network in St. Louis.

"As my son progressed, so did I," she said.

Colleagues encouraged Williams to investigate Teach in Residency at UMSL. She was interested in the opportunity to earn certification in elementary education and a master's degree through the streamlined program while simultaneously learning to become a more effective teacher. She appreciated the flexible courses catered to working adults as well as the unwavering support of academic advisors in the College of Education.

"I've obtained several awards because of the experience," Williams said. "I advocate for other educators to join the program because of the flexibility, because of the hands-on experience. It has really enhanced my overall leadership."

As a first-grade teacher at KIPP St. Louis Wisdom Academy, Williams received the charter school network's 2022 teacher of the year award for the highest regional growth and student achievement scores during the preceding school year. She was also one of 10 educators nationwide to receive the prestigious 2024 Harriett Ball Excellence in Teaching Award.

The accolade recognizes teachers who show strong academic results, leadership and dedication to student success within KIPP's national network of schools. Williams, who taught third grade at the time, was honored for those qualities and launching initiatives such as the Lit Kids Club and a Real Men Read event.

Williams now serves as assistant principal at Momentum Academy in St. Louis, where she has continued her commitment to student success and professional development. The St. Louis American Foundation honored this work last year, naming her as one of five 2025 Salute to Excellence in Education Awardees.

As her career in education has reached new heights, Williams reflects fondly on the role the Teach in Residency program played.

"This pathway has truly aided in my development as an effective and efficient educator," Williams said. "Now, as a relentless instructional leader, I'm truly grateful for my UMSL Teach in Residency experience. I encourage any who desires to learn while serving and leading others to enroll in this program. You won't regret it!"

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