NYC Teaching Fellows Program

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Program Purpose: 

In New York City, almost 4 in 10 New York City public school students do not earn a diploma within four years, and black, Latino, and low-income students in New York City score, on average, several grade levels below their peers on standardized tests. When students in high-poverty areas have equal access to the resources available to their more affluent peers they are able to achieve at high levels, and effective teachers are the most influential factor in determining student success.

The NYC Teaching Fellows program recruits and prepares high-quality, dedicated, and diverse individuals to become teachers who raise student achievement in the New York City classrooms that need them most.

Program Description: 

Launched in 2000, the NYC Teaching Fellows program has grown into the country's largest, most selective program of its kind, alleviating chronic teacher shortages in high-poverty communities and in critical high-need subject areas.

The program is designed to fast-track Fellows into full-time teaching positions in New York City public schools. Rather than complete a traditional teacher education program prior to entering the classroom, Fellows pursue a subsidized master's degree in education while teaching full-time in a New York City public school. The NYC Fellows master's degree programs are tailored to accommodate Fellows' teaching schedules, with evening and summer classes.

Pre-service training is one of the most exciting -- and challenging -- elements of the Fellowship program and is proven to prepare Fellows to be successful in the classroom. The intensive seven week pre-service training program consists of four main components: fieldwork in a summer school classroom; Student Achievement Framework (SAF) sessions; content seminars; and university coursework.

The master's degree takes two to three years to complete, depending on a Fellow's subject area and university. The NYC Fellows program partners with several New York City universities, including the City Universities of New York (CUNY); each offers unique expertise in specific subject areas, and all lead to teacher certification.

Applicants accepted into the NYC Teaching Fellows program are accepted to train to teach a specific subject area, based on New York City public schools staffing needs as well as the applicant's preferences and subject area eligibility. Subject area eligibility to teach at the secondary level is determined by having an undergraduate major or a graduate degree in a subject.

All candidates, regardless of their undergraduate degree, are eligible to teach special education. Most special education Fellows will be certified to teach middle or high schools grades 5-9, while a small number of Fellows will be certified to teach elementary grades 1-6.

Candidates with a significant academic background in science but who did not major in science may be eligible for the Science Immersion program, which is designed to increase the pool of candidates eligible to teach science.

Application Process: 

Within a month of applying, finalists are invited to interview in New York City. The interview includes a math assessment, a teaching sample, a discussion with other candidates, a written response, and a personal interview.

Applicant Profile: 

The program is especially dedicated to recruiting applicants eligible for and interested in teaching one of its high-need subject areas. Historically, the program has accepted Fellows to train to teach bilingual education, English, ESL, math, science, Spanish, and special education. High need subject areas are in special education and science, and Spanish-English bilingual skills are highly valued.

Strong candidates will demonstrate: a commitment to raising the academic achievement of children in high-poverty communities or children with special needs; success in past endeavors; perseverance in the face of challenges; the ability to think critically and analytically; a desire to grow professionally and seek out new opportunities to learn; and integrity and clarity in all communications and interactions.

Eligibility: 

Must have at least a bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA by the start of the program. If the bachelor's degree was conferred by a foreign university, applicant must have the transcript evaluated by World Education Services. Must never have completed a teacher training program, or been certified to teach in any state.

Obligations: 

Each Fellow is responsible for a portion of the master's degree tuition, and this amount is deducted over time from the Fellow's regular paycheck.The NYC Department of Education subsidizes most of the cost of tuition (excluding books and materials) for the master’s degree. The remaining balance for tuition is deducted from the Fellow’s regular paycheck once they begin teaching. In 2018, Fellows' tuition costs were $10,500 for the Bronx Cohort and $12,000 for the Citywide Cohort.

New York State teacher certification regulations require all teachers to have coursework in a range of liberal arts subjects. Any cost associated with coursework necessary to make up liberal arts credit 'deficits, is the responsibility of the Fellow

Selection Criteria: 

Although there is no one 'right' type of Teaching Fellow, the program looks for successful, driven individuals from a broad range of personal and professional backgrounds who are passionate about making a difference in the lives and futures of New York City public school students. Fellows typically have no prior teaching experience.

Citizenship: 

U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

Program Deadline: 

Usually early December.

How To Apply: 

Students or alumni, as applicable, may apply directly to this program. Applicants are encouraged, however, to work with SF State's fellowship advisor well in advance of the program deadline to perfect their application essays and other materials.