Being a Fellow
Year in the Life of a Fellow
“It is exhausting, but it is the best kind of exhaustion. I am doing something that leaves me fulfilled in my students’ accomplishments and in my own.”
-Texas Teaching Fellow
A year in the life of a Fellow is incredibly fast-paced and exciting. By the end of the first year in the classroom, a Fellow has transformed from a novice into a true teacher, eligible for certification by the state of Texas. In broad strokes, the “life cycle” of a Fellow looks something like this:
As a Texas Teaching Fellow, you will receive a strong pre-service training in addition to ongoing professional development and support throughout your first year of teaching. Here is a more detailed overview of some of the stages you will move through as a Fellow, and what you can expect at each phase. Some of the phases may overlap; and the cycle will look slightly different for each individual (depending upon when TExES content exam is taken/passed, position secured, etc.).
New Enrollee:
At this point, you are completing the steps laid out in the Enrollment Guide.
Key Steps:
Read Enrollment Guide
Pay enrollment fee Create SBEC/TEA account
Sign up for TExES exam
Send in eligibility documents
Send in official transcript
Sign up for fingerprinting
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Test Preparation:
Once you have completed the initial enrollment steps, you should begin preparing for your TExES content exam. This must be completed prior to the start of Institute.
Key Steps:
Develop your own study plan, and stick to it!
Go to the TExES website and download the online study guide.
Take advantage of TTF study sessions and practice tests (if applicable).
Attend local Fellows’ study groups. |
Institute Preparation:
This stage of the enrollee cycle is a bit more flexible than the other stages, since it isn’t contingent upon completing an earlier step. That said, it should be completed a few weeks before the start of Institute.
Key Steps:
Pick up your copy of the Guidebook (also available in soft copy on your status viewer).
Read the Guidebook prior to Institute.
Complete the Independent Study Guide including conducting an observation in a local classroom.
Prepare yourself for the financial transition, and mark Institute days onto your calendar.
Take your required TExES.
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District Hiring:
Once you have taken the TExES content exam, you are eligible to begin District Hiring (note that you cannot accept a job until you have passed the exam).
Key Steps:
Read District Hiring Guide in full.
Develop a job search plan.
Reach out to any school contacts you already know.
Apply to districts online.
Attend career fairs, as possible.
Avail yourself of TTF district hiring support (resume/cover letter review, practice interviewing, etc.).
Email revised cover letter and resume to TTF office.
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Institute:
All Fellows will have taken the TExES and some may have passed the TExES content exam by this time, and others may have completed the district hiring phase as well. However, most individuals will be going through district hiring while participating in Institute.
Key Steps:
Attend practice teaching and Framework sessions daily.
Complete any assigned activities.
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School Year:
When the 2010-2011 school year begins, most Fellows will start teaching. Some Fellows may still be in the district hiring process. During the school year, Fellows are undergoing the steps necessary to achieve their standard certification.
Key Steps:
Take and pass PPR exam and any other required exams for your content area.
Successfully complete 16 Content Seminars and Content Seminar Project.
Finish a successful year at your school site (according to principal evaluation and PDAS observation form).
Apply and pay for Standard Certificate, once recommended by TTF. |
Program Tuition:
Payment Options: payroll deduction, 2 equal installments, 1 installment |
$3,700 |
During first year of teaching (all payments to begin in September 2010) |
SBEC/TEA Fees (required by all aspiring teachers): |
Testing Fees:
TExES Regular Registration |
$120 |
Upon registering for Exam; at least 2 exams required for certification (some certification areas will require 3 or more exams) |
“I love those ‘Aha’ moments my students have, when they say, ‘Oh, I get it now!’ It’s the best feeling to know you helped them arrive at that moment of understanding and learning. It gets tough sometimes, but I just think about the many lives I will change by just caring for and teaching these young people, and it makes everything worthwhile. I must say teaching is not the easiest thing I’ve ever done, but it’s definitely one of the most rewarding.”
-Austin Texas Teaching Fellow
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