Preparing Tomorrow’s Teachers: Conversations with Washington’s rising teachers and those fostering their success

For three weeks during her teaching residency, (WWU recent graduate) Kenlee Pope took over a fifth-grade classroom in Everett.

Pope had already spent months working alongside her mentor, Thomas Trexel, at Monroe Elementary School. She had taught lessons and had built relationships with the students. Still, the students knew Trexel was their main teacher.

Pope completed Western Washington University’s Education for Inclusive Environments Teacher Residency, developed in partnership with Everett Public Schools. The program places candidates with experienced mentor teachers for a yearlong residency.