Killeen ISD is growing its future from within, one classroom, one mentor, and one new teacher at a time.
This week, Killeen ISD proudly celebrated two teacher residents, Sarah Duffy and Alexandria Hernandez, as they officially committed to joining the district upon graduation through the Teacher Residency Program partnership with Texas A&M University–Central Texas.
For the past year, both residents have spent their days inside Killeen ISD classrooms, learning alongside experienced educators, building relationships with students, and gaining the hands-on experience that prepares new teachers for long-term success. Now, that journey is becoming a career.
Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, Duffy and Hernandez will join Nolanville Elementary School as certified teachers, continuing their commitment to the students and community they have already spent the past year serving.
The partnership between Killeen ISD and Texas A&M University–Central Texas is now in its second year and continues to strengthen the district’s growing teacher pipeline. Unlike traditional student teaching models, the residency program places future educators on campuses for a full year, allowing them to work closely with host teachers and campus leaders while developing the confidence, instructional skills, and classroom experience needed to thrive on day one.
As part of the residency pathway, graduates commit to serving Killeen ISD for at least two years after completing the program — helping create consistency for students and strengthening schools with educators already connected to the district’s culture and community.
With the addition of Duffy and Hernandez, five educators have now completed the residency pathway and committed to teaching in Killeen ISD over the past two years.
District leaders say the program reflects a larger commitment to investing in people and building strong schools for the future.
By growing educators inside Killeen ISD classrooms, the district is not only preparing teachers — it is creating lasting relationships, stronger campus communities, and more opportunities for students to learn from educators who already know and believe in them.
Killeen ISD looks forward to continuing to expand the Teacher Residency Program in the years ahead as the district works to develop and support the next generation of teachers.
