This fall, Thomas College announced the Thomas Teaching Cooperative, a bold new residency program from the Lunder School of Education that aims to prepare the next generation of educators while directly addressing Maine’s critical teacher shortage.
This four-year, earn-while-you-learn model is designed to give students the tools, experience, and support they need to step confidently into the classroom—while they are still completing their degrees.
“At a time when schools across Maine are struggling to fill classrooms with qualified, long-term educators, the Thomas Teaching Cooperative offers a proactive and sustainable solution,” said Lunder School of Education Chair Dr. Katie Rybakova. “We’re not just preparing future teachers—we’re putting them into schools, with mentorship and support, while they learn.”
The program begins with two years of immersive, face-to-face coursework on Thomas College’s Waterville campus, including foundational studies in psychology, child development, and education. In their third and fourth years, students transition into paid roles in Maine schools while completing their degrees in a flexible, blended format. Throughout the experience, students are paired with expert Thomas College faculty mentors for weekly support and guidance.
“Here at Thomas College, we love to collaborate with community partners, and this new model for our Lunder School of Education will help our schools and our students to thrive,” said Thomas College Provost Dr. Jeremy Qualls. “This program is just the kind of forward-thinking, student-centered solution Maine needs right now.”
The Thomas Teaching Cooperative is a direct response to ongoing teacher shortages across the state. According to the Maine Department of Education, districts have reported persistent vacancies in classrooms, especially in rural areas. By embedding aspiring teachers in local schools earlier, and supporting them with high-quality mentorship, the Thomas Teaching Cooperative aims to strengthen the pipeline of career-ready educators and increase retention in the profession.
“Programs like this are exactly what our schools need right now. Thomas College is stepping up in a big way, and we’re excited to partner with them to bring the next generation of dedicated teachers into classrooms across Central Maine and beyond,” said Waterville Public Schools Superintendent Peter Hallen.
Waterville Public Schools is among the first district partners, offering significant tuition support and reimbursement for teaching materials. MSAD 54 is also a partner, and additional district partnerships are in development.
Students who complete the program will graduate with:
- A full year of classroom teaching experience
- A strong professional portfolio
- Personalized mentorship from seasoned educators
- Less student debt
“I’ve really enjoyed completing my program under the residency model. It gave me the opportunity to be paid while taking my classes and, at the same time, gain authentic classroom experience. Instead of just learning through lectures, I’ve been hands-on with students, teaching daily, and truly experiencing what it’s like to run a classroom. That real-life practice has been invaluable,” said current elementary education Tori Parker, who was part of the pilot program.
Tori is teaching fifth grade at Line Elementary School in West Newfield, Maine and will complete her degree in December.
“I think other students would benefit greatly from this model because it allows you to experience the full reality of being a teacher—attending IEP meetings, learning how to create those forms, and practicing everything you’ll need to do in your own classroom one day. Plus, being paid while taking your classes is such a huge benefit. It makes the program more accessible and realistic for students who might not have thought this path was possible for them,” said Tori.
The program is open to both first-time college students and transfer students and is especially well-suited for those who are eager to begin making a difference in schools and communities across Maine. Students are expected to go through the hiring process and are supported by Thomas faculty and staff throughout. The GPA is 3.0 minimum to get in and throughout the program.
For more information, or to apply, visit our website.
Meet the Program Leader
Dr. Katie Rybakova, Associate Professor of Education and Chair of the Lunder School of Education, is known for her innovative ideas and passion for preparing future teachers.
She has worked at Thomas College for almost a decade and was the leading force behind making the Thomas Teaching Cooperative happen. She’s been meeting with local administrators, partnering with teachers in the field, and most importantly, listening to her students.
Dr. Rybakova has a bachelor’s degree in English education, a master’s in English Education and a doctoral degree in curriculum and instruction, all from Florida State University.
Dr. Rybakova is also the Executive Director of the Maine Association for Middle Level Education and an Associate Editor for the Educational Media International journal. Her research centers on screentime impacts on literacy development. She is a former middle school English teacher and a former DI athlete playing tennis who entered the FSU Athletics Hall of Fame in September 2024.
This story was originally published in the Fall 2025 Thomas Magazine & Annual Report. View the full magazine.