Rhode Island Teaching Fellows FAQ

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• Teaching in Rhode Island

  What subject and grade levels do I teach through this program?

  All Fellows will teach math, science, and special education .  Certification you will be earning is for high school level content area; however, you may seek positions at middle school levels as well. 

  Fellows who work with middle school level students will need to pursue middle school endorsement through another program in conjunction with TNTP Academy—the state requires 6 course credits are required a year to show your progress towards middle school endorsement.

  
  

  When do I start teaching?

  All Fellows who successfully complete Training Institute and secure full-time positions will officially start teaching on the date that all new teachers are required to report to that district or school.

  
  

  Where will I teach?

  Rhode Island Teaching Fellows will teach high-need subject areas in districts and charter schools across Rhode Island. While the program staff considers a candidate’s preferences when possible, the needs of urban schools and the candidate’s subject area eligibility are given priority during the placement process. For more information, review the Your Teaching Position page of this website.

  
  

  What are charter schools?

  Charter schools are independently-run public schools that operate according to the terms of a contract, or charter, between a private group and a school district or state. In exchange for greater control of the academic program, management structure, and length of the school day and year, charters are accountable to the state for reaching concrete performance targets. Fellows currently teach in several of the charter schools in Rhode Island.

  
  

  How long is the commitment?

  We hope that Fellows will commit to a lifetime career in education. The ambitious goal of the Rhode Island Teaching Fellows is to build a network of Rhode Island teachers passionate about educational equity and ready to work actively to achieve results in their classrooms on a daily basis, alongside other Rhode Island teachers with the same focus. We also hope that outstanding individuals who enter the teaching profession through the Fellows program will continue their careers as educators in Rhode Island, fulfilling our shared mission of closing the achievement gap, for many years to come.

  
  

  How safe are the schools?

  We believe our schools are safe. We encourage concerned candidates to visit the areas in which they may teach during a regular school day to determine their own level of comfort with the environment.

  
  

  What should I expect as a teacher in Rhode Island?

  You should expect to work with diverse groups of students and teachers in an urban school district. You should also expect to work hard and learn a lot in your first few years of teaching, and feel accomplished and rewarded when your students succeed. 

• Certification

  Will I receive a state teaching license? 

  During the first year of teaching and certification program, Fellows will work under an Alternative Certification Program Certificate. After successfully completing TNTP Academy and state requirements for certification, each Fellow will earn an initial teaching certification from the state of Rhode Island.

  
  

  What does "alternative certification" mean?

  As an alternate route program, the Teaching Fellows program accelerates the process of bringing new teachers to the classrooms that most need them. Rather than completing a traditional teacher education program prior to entering the classroom, Fellows engage in a short but intensive summer training program and complete further academic requirements while they teach full time, earning a full time salary. Review the Certification section of this website for more information. 

  
  

  Does this program award a master’s degree?

  No, our program does not award a master’s degree.

  
  

  How much will my certification courses cost?

  Tuition for certification for 2011 Fellows was $6,000. Fellows will be responsible for the cost of tuition to be paid in full during the 2012-2013 school year.  Please also plan for other licensure costs, such as processing fee for your certification and Praxis II Principles of Learning and Teaching, a test taken during the first year of teaching.

  
  

  Is financial aid available for the certification program?

  Fellows may be eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award after successfully completing their first year of teaching. The award, which is valid for seven years after issuance, may be used to pay for future education costs, including the repayment of eligible student loans; however, the Education Award cannot be applied to tuition costs for Rhode Island Teaching Fellows’ certification program. We cannot guarantee these benefits for the 2012 Fellows cohort given the nature of the AmeriCorps competitive grant process. We anticipate receiving final confirmation on education awards in early summer 2012.

  
  

  
  

• Program Eligibility

  What exams will I need to take?

  To participate in the program, candidates will need to take and pass the Praxis II content area exam(s) that corresponds with the subject that they are eligible to teach before the start of Training Institute.   During the first year of teaching and certification program, Fellows will need to take Praxis II Principles of Learning and Teaching in order to earn their initial certificate.

  
  

  Am I eligible if I have no previous teaching experience or prior coursework in education?
  Rhode Island Teaching Fellows is designed for mid-career professionals and recent college graduates from all fields who demonstrate leadership, achievement, and a commitment to urban education. Previous coursework or experience in education is not necessary.

  
  

  Are individuals who have worked as substitute teachers eligible for the program?
  Yes, substitute teachers may apply, provided they meet our eligibility requirements.

  
  

  Why aren't certified teachers eligible to apply, and what should they do to start teaching?
  The Teaching Fellows program is specifically designed to provide training and support to individuals who have had no education coursework. For more information on opportunities to teach in your area, we encourage you to visit your local district's website.

  
  

  What if I don't have a 3.0 GPA?
  Individuals must possess an average undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher. The candidate will also be eligible if he/she has completed 24 semester hours of graduate level courses and received a cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher in graduate coursework. GPAs are not rounded up; the cumulative GPA on the candidate’s transcript must be at least a 3.0 in order to be eligible. If a candidate has a GPA of 2.9 or lower and does not have 24 semester hours of graduate level courses with a GPA of at least 3.0, the candidate will not eligible and will not be invited to interview. Please note that candidates invited to interview are required to bring copies of all transcripts to the interview event. Please review the Eligibility section for more information before applying.

  
  

  Do I need to be a resident of Rhode Island to apply?
  No, you do not need to be a resident of Rhode Island to apply.

• Application Process

  Can I include letters of recommendation with my application?

  No. Due to the sheer number of applications we receive, we are unable to consider documents or materials other than those required for a complete application (application form, resume, and responses to application questions). Materials that are not required will be discarded. However, you will need to submit 3 letters of recommendation to use with your application for teaching positions.

  
  

  Do I need to send transcripts with my application?
  No, you do not need to send transcripts with your application. However, all individuals invited to an interview will be asked to submit one official set of transcripts from every college/university they have attended and two additional copies will be needed later in the enrollment process. Because it often takes universities several weeks to process requests for official transcripts, we highly recommend that you request your three official transcripts early. Please request three copies sealed in separate envelopes in order to expedite program enrollment and district processing needs upon acceptance to the program.  Please note that in order for you to receive your Alternative Route Certification Program Certificate (ACPC) upon acquiring your teaching position, the state requires the conferral or degree awarded date printed on the official transcripts—if you are graduating in spring 2012, you will need to request official transcripts after your graduation date to submit with your ACPC form.

  
  

  What happens after I submit my application?
  All applications are reviewed for completeness and eligibility. Those applicants who demonstrate potential for success as Fellows are invited to interview. You will also be notified if you are not invited to interview. You should receive interview notification within two weeks of our receipt of your complete application. Due to the high volume of applications, all communication will be emailed through our Teacher Track 2 system.

  
  

  When will I know if I am accepted into the program?
  Notice will be sent from our office via email two weeks after your Interview Event. Due to the high volume of applications we are unable to give candidates specific feedback and all decisions are final.

  
  

  What should I do if I have not received a response from the program?
  In general, if you are not receiving emails from the program, check your junk folder in the original email you provided and if you are still not receiving emails, you should provide us with a different email address. Additionally, all messages are saved on your Teacher Track 2 account so you can view correspondences through that portal. If you have not received a response via email from the program within 2 weeks after submitting your application, you should contact the program by email at info@rhodeislandteachingfellows.org.

  
  

  Where can I learn more about the Praxis exams?
  ETS is the organization that administers the Praxis exams. Visit www.ets.org and select Praxis for additional information. 

• Admission ans Enrollment

  When does the program actually begin? 

  While all Fellows start the Training Institute in person in June, there are program requirements in the months leading up to Training Institute. Once accepted to the program Fellows will be required to complete a series of pre-training assignments and school observations designed to lay the foundation upon which training will build. If accepted, anticipate spending a few hours on program-related work each week in order to successfully you prepare for Training Institute.

  
  

  What do I need to enroll in the program?
  If you are accepted, the Rhode Island Teaching Fellows program will guide you through the enrollment process. The program will require that you submit:

  1. Three sets of official transcripts from every college/university you have attended

  2. A copy of your official Praxis II score reports

  3. A signed program Commitment Form

  4. Proof of eligibility to work in the United States

  Additionally, please plan on spending a few hours of program related assignments and requirements each week (approximately 15 to 20 hours total) leading up to Training Institute in order to better prepare you to be successful during Training Institute. 

  
  

• Compensation ans Benefits

  What is the starting salary for the Rhode Island Teaching Fellows? 

  The starting salary for Fellows is the same as that for all other beginning teachers in public district and charter schools. Fellows become salaried employees of the participating district when all teachers report back to work at the start of the school year; teachers normally receive their first pay check during the first month of teaching. Candidates should refer to the Salary & Benefits section of this website for more information.

  
  

  What employment benefits do Fellows receive? 

  Fellows are eligible for the same comprehensive benefits as all new teachers in their charter school or district, which may include medical, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage.

  
  

  When do benefits start?

  All Fellows are typically eligible for benefits either immediately or 30 days after their official start date.