Being a Resident
Salary & Benefits

Salary
Residents become salaried employees of the BCPSS on the first day that all teachers report back to their school placement. The starting salary for Residents is the same as that for all other beginning teachers in the Baltimore City Public School System; a first year Resident, entering the school system as a highly qualified teacher, will begin earning a Step 4 salary according to their highest earned degree.

Below find the salary ranges for Step 1 – 6 according to the BCPSS published pay scale, 2008. Note that steps increase to 21.

*BCTR Resident Teachers are paid at a step 4 salary

Training Stipend
During the institute training session, Residents are provided with a stipend to help defer living costs. This year’s stipend has not yet been determined and is dependent on the budgetary constraints of the Baltimore City Public School System. Last year, the stipend was $2,500, pre tax. The stipend is generally distributed in three payments. Because the time between the start of training and a Resident’s first BCPSS paycheck may be lengthy (for the Summer Program, June to September), we encourage Residents to take appropriate measures to ensure their financial well-being during this time. This training stipend is paid on a daily rate and based on attendance; and although the institute training is mandatory Resident Teachers should be aware that they will not be paid for days they do not attend training.

Benefits
As employees of the Baltimore City Public School System, Residents are eligible for the same comprehensive benefits as all teachers, including a pension plan, choice of health insurance plans, dental, prescription and vision coverage, as well as access to a 403(b) Plan. Coverage generally begins on the 1st day of the calendar month immediately following date of hire.

For more information on teacher benefits click here.

Tuition Reimbursement
The Baltimore City Public School System offers a generous tuition reimbursement policy to Residents that will help to defray the costs of certification and, subsequently, Master’s degree coursework. Residents who possess only a Bachelor’s degree will be eligible to have 75% of their tuition costs reimbursed. Residents who already possess a Master’s will be eligible to have 50% of their tuition costs reimbursed.

Because the BCTR is approved by the Maryland State Department of Education as a certification pathway, BCPSS will allow the partner university to bill the school system directly for the portion of tuition that is to be reimbursed. Consequently, Residents only need to pay for the portion of tuition not being covered through BCPSS.

See Earning Your Maryland Teaching Certificate for more information.

Tuition reimbursement will only be paid for those courses in which Residents receive a grade of “B” or better up to 12 credits per year. Additionally, the Maryland State Department of Education will not accept grades below a “B” for certification.

According to the contract negotiated by the Baltimore Teacher’s Union, any teacher who accepts tuition reimbursement must teach for two years after the last semester for which he/she receives reimbursement. If the Resident fails to do so, BCPSS has the right to recover all tuition support paid on behalf the teacher.

Other Incentives*

Loan Forgiveness
Residents with Stafford, Perkins, and Eisenhower loans may be eligible for loan deferment or forgiveness. Residents need to contact their lenders to determine eligibility.

Homeowner Assistance
Many programs exist to assist BCPSS employees with the purchase of a new home.

For a complete list of city home buying programs, please visit: www.livebaltimore.com.

*The Baltimore City Teaching Residency office does not have more information on these programs at this time. Please contact directly referenced parties for further details.