During preservice training, the teacher certification candidate will take four required classes: Curriculum and Instruction, English Language Arts and Reading, Foundations of English as a Second Language (ESL), and Foundations of Teaching. Candidates training to be bilingual or special education teachers will take a Foundations of Bilingual/Special Education Course. Candidates will also complete additional coursework that includes state mandated field based experiences and content area exam(s).

Candidates that have successfully completed the preservice training may choose to pursue a paid, full-year internship at a campus/district of their choosing, or a 14 week, unpaid clinical teaching assignment with a district chosen in partnership with Region 4-Inspire Texas. During the practicum, interns and clinical teachers are supported, observed and evaluated based on guidelines established by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). All interns and clinical teachers are required to complete additional coursework and state-mandated testing during the practicum.

Region 4-Inspire Texas provides all candidates with opportunities to work closely with students, teachers and schools prior to receiving their standard certification. All candidates must successfully complete 30 hours of field-based state mandated experience for multiple grade levels and subjects prior to beginning their practicum. Region 4-Inspire Texas candidates are expected to work with students from differing backgrounds and abilities, including with those who may be economically disadvantaged.

Region 4-Inspire Texas is proud of its diversity. Each year, over half of our applicants are persons of color, providing their potential students with outstanding role models. Required coursework includes topics and courses such as bilingual, ESL and special education. In addition, candidates learn to work with students that are gifted and talented.

The Region 4-Inspire Texas program is committed to mentoring and coaching. Inspire Texas employs dozens of field supervisors across the state to coach and guide new interns and clinical teachers. Our field supervisors are vetted for excellence in transforming organizations and supporting new teachers. As former teachers, administrators and superintendents who have impacted their community through service and dedication, many field supervisors have been honored by districts as Principals of the Year or have had campuses named after them. With a low supervisor-to-student ratio, our coaches can ensure that new teachers receive the attention they expect and deserve.

Region 4-Inspire Texas is always seeking to exceed the expectation of its stakeholders.  We constantly seek feedback from customers through our Fresh Desk phone system and course surveys and webinars; we survey our students through the participation in a statewide consortium and we evaluate feedback from campus level stakeholders through the annual survey of new teachers. In addition, Region 4-Inspire Texas exceeds state standards by meeting twice yearly with districts, business leaders and local colleges to share the current state of the organization and seek input on the quality of admission, preparation and instruction of Region 4-Inspire Texas candidates. 

Application Fee: $95 

Preservice Training:  $1,300 

• Preservice Fee is payable in 5 installments 
• $100 discount applied to fee if paid in full at registration 

Once you begin your teaching assignment as a salaried intern or clinical teacher, the following fees go into effect: 

• Internship Fee: $4,180
  • Payments begin once candidates start their full time teaching assignment 

• Clinical Teaching Fee: $2,300
  • Clinical Teaching Fee is payable in monthly installments over the duration of the teaching assignment
  • Application Fee: $100 
  • $100 Application Fee is applied toward the clinical teaching fee unless the candidate cancels the placement