Project UNITE (the Urban Network for Innovation in Teacher Education) is an urban teacher residency program at Cleveland State University’s Levin College of Public Affairs and Education. UNITE is designed for teacher education students who are in the final year of their program. Teacher candidates in Early Childhood Education, Middle Childhood Education, Special Education, and the Adolescent Young Adults (AYA) Programs are invited to join the project. As UNITE Residents, they will be placed with teacher mentors in an urban district for an entire school year. Similar to other specialized professions that include an apprenticeship model, the UNITE teacher residency program offers pre-service teachers extended field-based training with a highly qualified teacher mentor.

Our program goals:

• Increase recruitment of Teachers of Color to help diversify the teaching force. All students are welcomed to apply.
• Strengthen teacher knowledge and preparation for urban districts.
• Provide access to online resources and materials and encourage resident and mentor collaboration across school sites.
• Create a robust teaching network to engage preservice teachers, in-service teachers, faculty, and the wider community.
   

Mission and Vision

Project UNITE’s mission is to diversify the teaching workforce and strengthen teacher preparation for urban schools. 

With a focus on urban schools, culturally appropriate practices, and innovative teaching, Project UNITE’s vision is to elevate CSU as one of the premier urban teacher training programs in the country.