The Ohio Resident Educator (RE) Program began in 2011, and is a comprehensive, two-year initiative to assist beginning teachers with mentoring and professional development as they start their education careers. The RE Program is designed to improve teacher retention, enhance teacher quality, and result in improved student achievement. The RE Program is a professional pathway to continued professional learning, leading educators to more effective practices and excellence in teaching.

Ohio Revised Code 3319.223 and Ohio Administrative Code 3301-24-04 provide the basis for the RE Program and the requirement to successfully pass the Resident Educator Summative Assessment (RESA). When teachers successfully complete all program requirements, including the RESA component, they become eligible for a professional teaching license.

Year 1 Resident Educators will participate in regularly scheduled collaborative conversations with a trained mentor to improve aspects of teaching and learning, including the review of Todd Whitaker's book Your First Year: How to Survive and Thrive as a New Teacher.