College of Education Program Jump-Starts Teaching Careers

Grace Jenkins (’22) and Carlasia Habeeb-Ullah (’22) have a passion for teaching. Both were able to follow their dream thanks to the College of Education’s Paid Residency Program. Unlike their fellow classmates, the program allowed them to teach full time and be in charge of their own classroom their entire senior year. At the same time, they had to complete their own University coursework. Jenkins and Habeeb-Ullah started working last August as full-time educators at Pulaski Elementary School in Savannah. Each received a stipend and the same benefits as regular teachers.

“I absolutely loved it,” said Habeeb-Ullah, an Armstrong Campus graduate. “There’s no place I’d rather be and nothing I’d rather do. From day one, I came in, taught from my heart, and truly internalized, ‘I can do anything I put my mind to.’”

Jenkins, a Statesboro Campus education major, also praised her opportunity to teach.

“A real teacher is going to give everything to this position,” she said. “This is not just a job. This is not just a paid residency. This is my career. Anyone who has the love for teaching will be ready for this opportunity.”

The duo also completed the residency under the guidance of a teacher from the school. Pulaski Elementary School teacher Ashley Sullivan, Ed.D., served as their support mentor-teacher, helping them navigate their own classroom setting for the first time.

“I think this is benefitting them tremendously,” Sullivan said. “I would have loved this experience when I was in school.”

When the year ended, Jenkins and Habeeb-Ullah had lined up jobs already. The Paid Residency began in the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System two years ago. This fall, it will expand to Bulloch County Schools.