LOUISVILLE, Ky. — While high schools and colleges across the United States celebrated seniors this spring, the Jefferson County Public School (JCPS) district used Monday night to celebrate 28 adults.

The first-ever class of graduates from the Louisville Teacher Residency program walked across the Waggener High School gym to applause and cheers as they accepted certificates. The celebration comes after participants completed a year-long accelerated master's program through the University of Louisville, during which they shadowed current teachers the entire school year.

"This opportunity to be with students a whole year, to be able to watch them grow, it’s amazing," smiled Shena Allen-Thompson, as earlier in the day she stood in the Semple Elementary classroom that had become a second home. "I mean, it’s an amazing opportunity to be able to be here with the students a whole year and learn the insides and outsides of everything."

Allen-Thompson was one of 21 graduates in the program who identify as a race other than white. Program Director Sylena Fishback said there is an emphasis to hire teachers of color, stating 16% of JCPS teachers identify as a race other than white, compared to 60% of students.

"You always want to have individuals in the classroom that our students connect with naturally," Fishback said. "And so, when our leaders are coming from the community, they’re able to see them when they’re going to the grocery store or to church, and they really see themselves reflected in that leader. Then they’re able to connect to our school better, and they have a higher sense of belonging in our community."

In the agreement between UofL and JCPS, prospective teachers are given reduced tuition in the master's program, a $30,000 stipend, and are paired with a mentoring teacher for the school year. In return, the program graduates commit to a five-year contract to teach within JCPS.