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Job-Embedded Licensure-Only Program Information
Licensing K–5 Gen Ed or PK-12 ESL teachers who are on temporary or practitioner licenses and are actively working in Memphis-area schools.
The Memphis Teacher Residency (MTR) Job-Embedded Licensure-Only (JELO) Program, in partnership with Lipscomb University, offers a one-year (once Praxis series are satisfied) hybrid pathway for full-time teachers to earn licensure in either K–5 Elementary Education or PK–12 English as a Second Language. The program runs from June 2026 to June 2027 and includes 18 hours of graduate coursework, individualized coaching, and Praxis preparation support. Participants complete coursework while teaching full-time, applying new strategies directly in their classrooms with coaching from experienced educators. The program emphasizes practical, classroom-embedded learning designed to develop deep instructional expertise and long-term teacher effectiveness.
Interested? Next steps:
Upcoming Dates
virtual info sessions (click to register)
Applications open
Monday, January 12, 2026
2025-26 Participant Testimonials
I have really appreciated the MTR JELO program and the way it balances learning with real classroom experience. Being part of a job-embedded program has helped me grow so much faster because I’m able to immediately apply what I learn in my coursework to my daily teaching. The support from mentors, professors, and peers has made the experience both challenging and rewarding.
Overall, the MTR JELO program has been instrumental in shaping my teaching philosophy and preparing me to make a positive difference in students’ lives. It has truly reinforced my belief in education as a form of service and social change.
This program has been a valuable and inspiring experience that has deepened my understanding of education, equity, and the importance of servant leadership in the classroom. The program’s focus on professional growth, collaboration, and reflective practice helped me strengthen both my instructional skills and my personal commitment to serving students with excellence and compassion.
I really appreciated how approachable and responsive the professor was whenever I had questions. The feedback was specific and constructive, which helped me see exactly where I could grow and what I was doing well.
One of the most meaningful aspects of the program was its emphasis on community both within the cohort and in the schools we serve. This sense of belonging and shared purpose made the experience both motivating and impactful.
