If you're thinking about teaching, you are in luck. Xavier University is starting a first-of-its-kind teacher residency program in Louisiana. The program is tailor-made for students right here in New Orleans. The Norman C. Francis Teacher Residency program will take two years to complete and will be a team effort between New Schools for New Orleans and five charter management organizations. The program's main goals are to prepare educators and develop teachers with more local training and to help them better relate to their students.Students will graduate with a Louisiana teaching certificate, and a Master of Arts degree in teaching. Twenty-five students will enter the program, which will cost about $12,000 per student. Financial aid and grants are available. Students will receive their training through Xavier University and do their residency at either Inspire Nola Schools, New Orleans College Prep, KIPP New Orleans, Choice Foundation Schools or Firstline Schools. The program aims to tackle such key issues in New Orleans schools as teacher retention, teacher quality and the supply of teachers of color. "Children need more teachers that look like them, so we're hoping that we can also increase the minority teacher population," said Dr. Renee Akbar. The deadline to enter the program are Jan. 30 and March 15.