
CREATE Teacher Residency
CREATE supports the development of critical-consciousness, compassion and skill in Georgia State University teacher-candidates preparing to teach in Atlanta Public Schools.
Black teachers who enroll in CREATE are significantly more likely to remain in teaching after two years.
100% of current teacher-candidates recommend CREATE.
100% of CREATE Schools’ leaders indicate excitement about helping to develop new teachers.
CREATE is building and nurturing a thriving community of educators committed to practices of teaching that prioritize racial justice and interrupt inequities.
LAUNCH YOUR CAREER WITH EXCELLENT COACHING IN ATLANTA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
CREATE offers two pathways into teaching for Georgia State teacher-candidates entering their final year of a certification program:
- PATHWAY 1 — Offers one (1) year of targeted support during university student teaching
- PATHWAY 3 — Offers three (3) years of comprehensive support during university student teaching and the first two years of certified teaching
Teacher-Candidate Supports | Pathway 1 | Pathway 3 |
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Commitment duration | 1 year | 3 years |
Living expenses/tuition stipend during 2021-22 school year | $3,000 | $8,000 |
Placed with a CREATE-trained Mentor Teacher in an APS school | ![]() |
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Bi-weekly life and educator-career coaching (one-on-one and small group) | ![]() |
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Monthly equity-centered resident cohort meetings (scheduled during practicum hours) | ![]() |
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Career launch workshops (resume & cover letter writing, practice interviews) | ![]() |
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Application/interview/demonstration lesson coaching | ![]() |
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Extensive mentoring and teaching supports, including cohort programming and additional stipends during the first two years of certified teaching (in APS) | ![]() |

Our Schools
CREATE partners with Atlanta Public Schools (APS), whose mission is through a caring culture of equity, trust and collaboration, every student will graduate ready for college, career and life.
- Atlanta Neighborhood Charter – Elementary (K-5)
- Atlanta Neighborhood Charter – Middle (6-8)
- Benteen Elementary (K-5)
- Burgess Peterson Academy (K-5)
- Centennial Academy Charter School (K-8)
- Drew Charter – Elementary Academy (K-5)
- Drew Charter – Junior Academy (6-8)
- Fred A Toomer Elementary (K-5)
- Kindezi — Old Fourth Ward (K-8)
- Martin Luther King, Jr Middle (6-8)
- Thomasville Heights Elementary (K-5)
- Luther J. Price, Middle (6-8)
- Wesley International Academy (K-8)
- Westside Atlanta Charter School (K-8)

What We Do
CREATE is a thriving community of educators. Since 2015, CREATE has successfully served more than 110 student teachers and 650 experienced educators across 15 APS schools. CREATE is focused on:
- Supporting pre-service teachers
- Developing teacher-leaders
- Strengthening cross-organizational teacher induction programming
ELIGIBILITY AND APPLICATION INFORMATION
- “CREATE challenges me and [participating] is one of the best decisions I have made in my journey to be an excellent educator.” —First-Year Resident
- “At the close of a recent resident cohort meeting, I felt more at ease with the tasks laid before me in student teaching. I feel supported and more confident in my abilities.” —First-Year Resident
- “During today’s monthly equity-centered resident cohort meeting, I appreciated the opportunity to talk about issues within [the Black] community and about struggles when it comes to embracing identity in a whitewashed world. I also appreciate our talk about how we identify and how to not push assumptions and stereotypes on others.” —First-Year Resident
- “CREATE has been like a “safe house” for me this semester. During the times when I questioned what in the world I was thinking when I chose to pursue a career in teaching, CREATE was there in the form of resident cohort meetings, career launch workshops, educator-career coaching meetings, or a hug from many amazing folks to reign me back in.” —First-Year Resident
Eligibility
Georgia State University Teacher-candidates eligible for Path 1 and Path 3 must be:
- Entering the final year of their teacher certification program in Fall 2021
- Pursuing one of the following degrees:
- Bachelor of Science in Education, Elementary (PK-5) with an ESOL Endorsement
- Bachelor of Science in Elementary, Elementary Education (PK-5) and Special Education (PK-5) Dual Certification
- Bachelor of Science in Education, Middle Level Education
- Master of Arts in Teaching — Middle Level Education
The application for the CREATE Teacher Residency Program is comprised of four steps:
- Step 1: Complete the Residency Interest Survey
- Step 2: Attend a two-hour virtual “EXPERIENCE CREATE” information session
- This event gives applicants the opportunity to get to know the teacher support staff and engage with current residents and school leaders. The support staff will also share more details about the two teaching pathways, other aspects of the residency, answer questions, and invite applicants to complete Step 3.
- Step 3: Submit a statement of purpose
- Step 4: Submit a final letter of commitment
“Experience CREATE” virtual information sessions
- Monday, Feb. 1, 2021, 6 to 8 p.m.
- Friday, Feb. 12, 2021, 2 to 4 p.m.
- Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021, 9 to 11 a.m.
- Friday, March 5, 2021, 2 to 4 p.m.
- Monday, March 15, 2021, 5 to 7 p.m.
Residency Interest Survey Deadline
- Thursday, March 11 at 5 p.m.

Stephanie Lee Behm Cross
Co-Principal Investigator & Associate Professor

Elizabeth Hearn
Executive Director

Ayodele Harrison
Assistant Director

Flavia Gordon-Gunter
Interim Assistant Director

Cathy Downey
Program Coordinator

Rosalynne Duff
Equity Coordinator

Chantee Lynee Earl
Clinical Associate Professor

Jacob Hackett
Clinical Assistant Professor

Maya Jenkins
Instructional Mentor

Kofi Kinney
Instructional Mentor

Rhina Williams
Clinical Associate Professor

Camea Davis
Research Assistant Professor
Kamilah Rose Pettway, 2019-2020 APS middle school teacher of the year
CONTACTS
Ayodele Harrison
aharrison@atlncs.org
Associate Professor
Stephanie Behm-Cross
scross@gsu.edu
