Teachers in California: a racial divide

Camino Nuevo Charter Academy in Los Angeles is addressing California’s bilingual teacher shortage through its AVANCE teacher residency program, a partnership with Loyola Marymount University. The program trains diverse bilingual educators while removing traditional barriers like high tuition, unpaid student teaching, and multiple credentialing exams. AVANCE residents receive a $50,000 compensation package, including a salary, tuition stipends, and coverage for testing fees. Tuition costs are reduced significantly, and participants gain hands-on experience alongside mentor teachers. Designed for flexibility, the program emphasizes trauma-informed pedagogy, bilingual education, and free test preparation. In its first two years, 97% of AVANCE participants identified as BIPOC, with nearly 70% securing bilingual teaching roles. Camino Nuevo’s community-focused approach highlights how targeted residency programs can help meet the demand for bilingual educators in California. 4o