National Teaching Fellowship (AmeriCorps)

2012-2014 NATIONAL TEACHING FELLOWSHIP

Citizen Schools seeks a strong, diverse, talented cohort of candidates to join its National Teaching Fellowship. Citizen Schools is accepting applications for program sites in California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, and Texas.

The National Teaching Fellowship is a unique, competitive, two-year professional and leadership development program. The Fellowship is a paid service program that offers a diverse range of experiences to people of varied backgrounds who have high potential as educators and leaders. Teaching Fellows (TFs) are essential to the success of the Citizen Schools’ program. These engaging, dedicated, and caring adults work closely with urban middle-school students and their families to help transform lives. Each TF leads a group of approximately 12-18 students, supporting their academic achievement through academic support and by facilitating hands-on, learning activities led by community volunteers. The Citizen Schools’ program offers TFs the opportunity to engage students in a diverse range of educational experiences and provides leadership development support – with the ultimate goal of preparing students for high school success, and enhanced college and career access.

THE NATIONAL TEACHING FELLOWSHIP
Fellows build strong relationships with their students, engage weekly with families and teachers, and serve as teachers, mentors and role-models for middle school students. They have an impact on students by helping them develop leadership and teamwork skills, and confidence; supporting their students’ belief and preparedness in college and career readiness. Fellows communicate regularly with teachers, families, and Citizen Teachers to promote middle school achievement, college and career access.

Fellows help students develop skills to be more successful in the classroom. They guide students through curricula designed to increase their Math and English skills, proficiency in test-taking, note-taking and organizational skills, support homework completion, and academic skills building. Fellows build a culture of achievement with their team and in the school campus and are responsible for promoting student grade gains.  Fellows deliver College-to-Career curriculum and engage students in topics that focus on the connection between academic achievement, college matriculation, and success.

Fellows support and coach Citizen Teachers -- community volunteers who share their professional skills or personal interests with students through ten-week hands-on learning projects called apprenticeships. Fellows help Citizen Teachers produce engaging lesson plans, provide academic support, manage student behavior, and support preparation for WOW!s- authentic products, performances, or presentations created by students.

Through their morning partnership, Fellows build their professional skills in the nonprofit and school environment, directly impacting civic engagement, curriculum development, or program management.

Fellows in New York have the unique opportunity to apply to a Masters and Certification program through Relay School of Education.  More information about Relay may be found on their website: www.relayschool.org.  

NATIONAL TEACHING FELLOW COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Teaching Fellows receive an annual stipend of $22,800 (paid in monthly installments), plus a generous benefit package including full health care coverage, 50% dental coverage, three weeks’ vacation annually, extensive training, in addition to a transportation allowance or transit pass. Teaching Fellows will receive a $5,550 AmeriCorps Education Award upon successfully completing each year of service. Loan forbearance for qualified student loans is also available through AmeriCorps.

NATIONAL TEACHING FELLOWSHIP APPLICATION PROCESS 
The Fellowship application is available online at: http://www.citizenschools.org/careers/teaching-fellowship/. The admissions process is highly competitive and interested candidates are encouraged to apply by the designated deadlines. All National Teaching Fellows positions begin in July 2012; the application process will be open in October 2011. Please DO NOT submit more than one application. If you are interested in more than one location, you will have the opportunity to indicate this on your application.