For Emma Fuentes, overcoming the great Texas A&M-UT rivalry wasn’t easy, but The University of Texas at Austin College of Education’s Longhorns in Residence program has made this Aggie a Longhorn.
“The University of Texas is a great school — hard for me to admit as an Aggie — but it’s a strong program,” Fuentes said with a laugh. “They really know what they’re doing when it comes to education.”
The Texas A&M University graduate returned to her hometown of Round Rock last May with a degree in agricultural economics and an unexpected realization: Teaching had always been in the back of her mind. When she discovered UT’s new Longhorns in Residence program, she saw the perfect opportunity to begin a different career without starting from scratch.
Now, she’s one of 14 teacher residents working across five Austin-area school districts through the innovative program, which launched in June to address critical teacher shortages in Central Texas. The yearlong program combines an 18-credit graduate certificate with hands-on classroom experience, leading to an early childhood through sixth grade teaching certification with an ESL supplemental endorsement. Teacher residents are also compensated by partner school districts for their August through May assignment.
Though her background in agricultural economics seems unrelated to early childhood learning, Fuentes disagrees. “Economics is really just resource management — and that includes people,” Fuentes explained. “That’s what we do in the classroom every day: coordinate 22 kids and make sure everything gets done.”
Learning by Doing
At UT Elementary School, Fuentes spends four days each week in the classroom working alongside veteran pre-K teacher Norma Robinson, with one day reserved for online coursework through the College of Education. It’s an intensive schedule, as she will log approximately 750 hours of classroom experience by the time school ends in May.
During that time, Fuentes will complete coursework in literacy development, content and methods for STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math), and teaching students with different learning styles, while also preparing for three state certification exams.
Benefits for Districts and Students
UT Elementary quickly became a sought-after placement among the program’s inaugural cohort.
“When Principal Lara Wilder came to our district partner meet and greet, most residents listed UT Elementary in their top three choices,” said Sarah N. Johnson, program manager for Longhorns in Residence. “They were inspired by the mission, vision and actions that UT Elementary takes to serve students and families.”
Johnson noted that the school’s reputation made it an ideal training ground. “UT Elementary has a noteworthy reputation in Austin due to its strong student outcomes, research-based practices, and its commitment to serving the community,” she said. “We hope to place many more residents at UT Elementary in years to come.”
For Robinson, serving as a host teacher offers rewards beyond helping the next generation of educators.
“There are so many benefits to this program — for Emma, for our school and even for me,” Robinson said. “Emma is gaining real classroom experience that will prepare her to lead on day one. She’s also learning the administrative responsibilities that come with the role.”
There are so many benefits to this program — for Emma, for our school and even for me
Robinson added that having a resident teacher creates a potential pipeline for future faculty members. “For our school, it’s an opportunity to welcome a new team member who could eventually become part of our faculty.”
Robinson said she also appreciates the fresh perspective her resident brings. “I love being a coach, and I’m excited to see the new strategies and technologies Emma is learning at the College of Education,” she said. “It helps us grow and better support our students.”
Pathways to Teaching
Longhorns in Residence accepts applications each year from Feb. 1 through March 1, with the next cohort starting in June 2026. Candidates need a bachelor’s degree (in any field) with at least a 3.0 GPA, though lower GPAs are considered as part of a holistic review process. At least six of the program’s 18 credit hours can be applied toward a graduate degree in education for those who want to continue their studies.
Fuentes doesn’t hesitate to recommend the program to others considering a career change into teaching. “It’s a great blend of coursework and hands-on experience,” Fuentes said. “I would absolutely recommend it.”
