WVU Parkersburg teacher candidates begin Fall 2026 residencies
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PARKERSBURG - Eight teacher candidates are participating in the WVU Parkersburg yearlong teacher residency program.
The Fall 2026 class of students in Education 401 are Lanna Bragg of Jackson County, Kelsie Means of Wirt County And Lauren Brandjes, Kaitlin Duckworth, Marlee Hunt, Allie Lowther, Megan Mestuzzi And Rylee Wise of Wood County.
The full year experience provides candidates with the skills to successfully step into their own classroom after graduation, Dr. Bobbi Marshall, dean of Professional Studies, said.
“The Residency Model has been such a wonderful addition to teacher preparation programs. Residents are given the opportunity to work with the same cooperating teacher and the same K-6 students for an entire year,” Marshall said. “Being able to participate in the same class for a full school year gives teacher candidates the opportunity to participate in the start of the school year as well as the end of the school year."
The Elementary Education Program provides field experience in the classroom as early as the freshman year. Under the traditional student-teaching model, teacher candidates spend a semester in two classrooms and quickly assume teaching responsibilities under the mentorship of an experienced teacher until they are teaching full time. The new residency model places teacher candidates in one classroom for their entire senior year and they more gradually assume responsibilities.