Saint Paul Teaching Fellows: Unique Teacher Training Program in Saint Paul, Minnesota

Saint Paul Teaching Fellows is a unique program that recruits committed professional and graduates and trains them to successfully teach in St.Paul's high-need public schools. The goal of the Teaching Fellows program is to help close the achievement gap and prepare high needs students for the future.

To become a teaching fellow, each candidate must go through a unique selection process. They must own a bachelor's degree and a GPA of 2.75. They must not hold a teacher's License from another program. If chosen as a Teaching Fellow, a teacher will pursue a Minnesota Teaching Licensure through an accelerated program while at the same time teaching students in St. Paul public classrooms. In the mean time, candidates will need to participate in an intensive summer training project that will allow them to successfully meet the academic needs of St. Paul students. Because many of St. Paul students come from communities, especially in the inner city, where illiteracy, poverty, and crime run rampant, teachers must demonstrate understanding and patience. Therefore the demand is great for candidates who are committed to the success of all students as well as dedicated to closing the achievement gap.

The first step a potential teaching fellow must do is to show up at the orientation. This meeting is for the purpose of discovering the program and its intentions. Here is where interested candidates can ask questions and reconsider their interest in the program.

The next step is to take the praxis exams I and II. The two exams measure the knowledge of each candidate and the possible placement in the correct academic area. Each test is at least one hundred dollars and must be taken before acceptance into the program. Passing the Praxis exams with a good score is essential for obtaining a future teaching Licensure. Candidates must also present graduation transcripts from every attended college.

The Interview Event

After all the exams and initial paper work is done, the next big step is The Interview Event. This event is an all day affair. Candidates must perform several teaching demonstrations that will be evaluated by Teaching Fellows who are acting as students in the classroom. The purpose of this experience is partially to assist in the selection process as well as recommend possible improvement in teaching style. Anxiety usually runs high the first few times a person stands to teach, but potential teachers are assured that evaluations are only for continuous improvement.

If a candidate is chosen he or she has passed the most important preliminary tests. The next step is the intense summer training project that a potential teacher has to overcome. But this is only for a few weeks. During this training period potential teachers are trained in various teaching strategies and theories unique to the Saint Paul Teaching Fellows program. Also during the intensive summer training preparation students must find ways to fond themselves. To help with living expenses, a two thousand dollar pre-tax stipend will be awarded by Fellows only to the candidates who successful completes the summer training requirements. However, candidates who survive this intense training are assured a job placement in one of Saint Paul Minnesota high school. The starting pay is quite competitive. In fact, the Teaching Fellows who have already been placed in classrooms are very satisfied with the experience. But sometimes stress is a factor. Teachers must teach in a real Saint Paul classroom setting. In addition they must attend night school at an accredited University chosen by the program to obtain teaching license. This requires a lot of focus. Both the paper work in the classroom and in college can be sometimes overwhelming. But the commitment to the education and success of Saint Paul students must be stronger. A teaching fellow must endure all adversity leading toward a teaching license. Once this is done, the rest is their dedication and commitment to the students and program. Happy Teaching!