California Teacher Credentials

Aspire teacher residency program sends 2 to Sacramento schools

Two will be coming to Sacramento to teach at Aspire Alexander Twilight College Preparatory Academy, a charter school that serves grades K-5.

All the original 18 residents from the first year finished the program to receive their teaching credential and master’s degree in education, while shadowing a teacher for the school year. Teachers in the program earn their teaching credential in partnership with the University of the Pacific.

“The Aspire Teacher Residency program is enabling our organization to attract and train the best educators for the nearly 10,000 students we serve across California,” said Heather Kirkpatrick , Aspire vice president of education, in a statement. “By integrating the study of educational theory with hands-on, classroom teacher training, these residents are immersed in the Aspire approach to teaching and learning from the moment they join us.”

Teacher residents commit to Aspire for four years, most of them spent leading their own classes.

Aspire Public Schools is a nonprofit charter school management program, according to Aspire. The 30 schools serve predominantly low-income students with the goal of preparing them for college.

Council candidate: Elaine R. Courey - Upland Now

Name: Elaine R. Courey

Age: 58

Occupation: Physical education teacher for Bonita Unified School District in La Verne since 1998. I teach fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh grade physical education. In addition to teaching physical education. I have worked weekends at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim for three and a half years. I am a table busser/kitchen steward and a food prep at the Pacific Wharf. I am a facilitator of Day 1 and Day 2 Food and Beverage instruction for new hires at the Disney University.

Lived in city: 36 years

Married: Divorced

Children: Two daughters, Jamie Nicole, 31 and Kellie Lynn, 22.

Education: Graduate of Ganesha High School in Pomona, Bachelor of Science in physical education with a minor in Health Education from Cal State Fullerton, associate degree from Chaffey College, teaching credential from Chapman University, California Teaching credential in Physical Education with a supplemental credential in Health Education.

Have you ever run for or held elected office before and if so when and what office?: No.

Appointed offices, community organizations: Pomona Parks and Recreation Committee member

Why you are running for this office: I am running for this office because I would like to get involved in my city government. When I was young, my parents and I would take Sunday drives to Upland and wish they could move to Upland. This carried over when I got married. The City of Gracious Living, as Upland is called, was our choice for buying and raising our children. I understand that the city has had some issues in the past, but it is time to move on and return Upland to the once great city that attracted people to want to move here. I am a new face and I feel I can bring a positive contribution to best serve our city. I am not going to make any promises that I can't keep, but I can promise that I will do the best job I possibly can to ensure that "honesty is the best policy" as we move on and into the future of Upland.

Earn Your California Teaching Credential, K-6

Barron's CBEST, California Basic Educational Skills Test

Retention of new teachers in California

Mount Pleasant, My Journey from Creating a Billion-Dollar Company to Teaching at a Struggling Public High School

Examinations and assessments for California teaching credentials, answers to candidates' questions