What is Texas Teaching Fellows?
Program Overview
"After college, like most recent graduates, I was ready to enter the job market. I had a degree in Spanish and Sociology, but I didn't feel inspired or motivated by the jobs offered in these fields. I often found myself staring at the education section of the want ads regretting my choice of majors in college. So in routine, I got the Sunday paper and went directly to the Employment section, but this time I saw something inspiring and rewarding staring back at me. It was an ad for [Texas] Teaching Fellows. Since that moment, my life has forever changed..."
- Dallas Texas Teaching Fellow
**Texas Teaching Fellows is a non-profit organization and is committed to keeping costs as low as possible for incoming participants. We are currently reviewing program expenditures to determine program tuition for the 2011 cohort. Tuition rates will be posted in early October.**
We know that teacher quality is the most critical factor in raising student achievement for all students, regardless of background or socioeconomic status. An effective teacher has the ability to change the trajectory of student academic growth by accelerating students’ learning so that they can catch up to their peers. Too often, however, our highest need students do not have enough good teachers. The Texas Teaching Fellows program is changing this reality by recruiting and preparing high-quality, effective teachers who can raise student achievement in the classrooms most in need.
To achieve our goal of providing all students with access to excellent teachers, we are seeking passionate and accomplished individuals from all professional and academic backgrounds to make a commitment to achieving academic growth with students in Texas’s most challenging and traditionally underserved schools and communities. As a non-profit alternative certification program, our focus is on helping these highly motivated individuals become successful teachers through an accelerated one-year program.
In a high-need school, an effective teacher is one who consistently achieves average annual student growth of more than one year and ensures that at least 80% of students meet grade-level standards, are on track for on-time high school graduation, or meet other appropriate measures of student academic progress.
Why join Texas Teaching Fellows? We are:
- Rigorous… Our program includes a six week summer training Institute that gives Fellows the opportunity to teach before they get to their own classroom; as well as our efficient and effective year-long Teaching for Results Seminars during the school year. 95% of 2010 Fellows felt that the Institute prepared them to be successful in their first year of teaching.
- Accelerated… Following the summer training Institute, Fellows are eligible to begin teaching full-time in the fall receiving the full salary and benefits of a first-year teacher. Fellows who successfully complete all program requirements will be recommended for their standard certification by the end of the school year.
- Selective… Joining Texas Teaching Fellows means you will be joining a group of amazing individuals. District staff know and appreciate our selectivity. Last year, 13 % of applicants were accepted into the program. Statewide, the average acceptance rate among other certification programs is about 80%.
- Supportive… TTF works with Fellows throughout the certification process, including test preparation and job search support. During the school year TTF staff members will observe Fellows in their classrooms giving them feedback and guidance. We take pride in our staff and faculty and know that our Fellows will have the resources they need to be successful.
- Mission-driven… As a non-profit focused on narrowing the achievement gap, we have the necessary resources to offer a high-quality program at a reduced price. Applicants are not required to pay an application fee. Once accepted, Fellows are required to pay a $199 enrollment fee, but they are not required to pay any additional fees to TTF until they have secured a teaching position. At $3,700 for tuition, we have one of the best-priced programs in the state.
When you join Texas Teaching Fellows you join our network of Fellows Programs across the country, renowned for their dedication to improving education for students throughout America. To download a Texas Teaching Fellows flyer click here.
Want to learn more? Click here to join us for an information session.
