If you are a teacher newly licensed in Minnesota, the College of Education at Minnesota State University, Mankato, invites you to become a part of its beginning teacher graduate teaching fellowship program. This program is sponsored by the Center for School-University Partnerships and is part of a broader initiative that seeks to connect schools and universities in closer collaborative educational activities through Professional Development School initiatives.
In this program, licensed graduate teaching fellows assume a dual appointment. Upon application and admission to a graduate program, they are hired by the University as full-time graduate assistants and will be expected to register for six credits per semester. Their graduate assistantship, however, is to assume full responsibilities of a classroom teacher for one year in one of the participating school districts. This means that the teaching fellow meets university requirements for admission to the graduate school and also, through an interview process, meets the needs of the participating district. At $19,800, the teaching fellow stipend is about 2/3 that of a first-year teacher. However, the teaching fellow also receives free graduate tuition up to 9 credits per semester, which means a significant value-added benefit for the teaching fellow (about $4,800). In addition, the teaching fellow has opportunities for numerous professional development activities and, of course, the advantage of one-on-one mentoring from a master teacher throughout the year.
The teaching fellow program has received enthusiastic support from both schools and participating teaching fellows. Research consistently shows that beginning teachers who have an opportunity to be part of a mentor/new teacher induction program significantly exceed their non-mentored peers by 1) attaining earlier skill and comfort level in the classroom; 2) developing more positive feelings for their profession; and 3) remaining longer in the profession. Comments from previous teaching fellows in the MSU program support these findings:
"I don't know what I would have done without my mentor--she was always there when I needed her most and helped me through some trying times. Even if my next school doesn't have a formal mentor program, I know I'll try to do the same thing for new teachers entering the profession."
"Sometimes in my classes [graduate, university] other first-year teachers talk about burning out and how "No one told me it would be this hard!" I realize that I just don't have those same kinds of problems. Sure, this first year is really hard, but I have someone who is helping me each step of the way."
"Every new teacher needs--and deserves--a mentor! This is a tough job!"
Recent graduates who will complete Minnesota licensure by the end of Summer Session I or other recent teacher education graduates who have not held regular teaching appointments are eligible to apply. Specific details of the eligibility criteria are described within the application materials.
Teaching fellows can choose among the several degree programs offered through the College of Education. Any of these programs require a minimum of 34 hours of coursework to earn a Master's Degree. Applicants will need to indicate on their application their program preference. Upon admission they will be assigned an adviser who will assist them throughout their program. During the teaching fellowship year, all teaching fellows will register each semester for a graduate seminar course based on their classroom activities (3 credits) plus an additional three credits of their choice per semester.
Teaching fellows are responsible for all teacher duties including the organization and management of their own classrooms, parent/teacher relationships, report cards, and other responsibilities typically connected with classroom teaching in the district where they are placed. These responsibilities are more fully outlined in information given out by the individual districts.
During the 2008-2009 academic year, the teaching fellow graduate assistant stipend will be $19,800. In addition, each teaching fellow will receive the Minnesota State University tuition stipend which pays full regular tuition for graduate credits, up to 9 credits per semester (spring and fall terms).
Applicants will be screened, interviewed, and selected by the school district. Final decisions on classroom placements are also made by the districts. Applicants who are chosen for a Graduate Teaching Fellowship will need to apply to the College of Graduate Studies at Minnesota State University, Mankato, and must meet entrance requirements. Please contact the Center for information and applications.
Center for School-University Partnerships
College of Education
Minnesota State University, Mankato
117 Armstrong Hall
Mankato, MN 56001
Tel: 507-389-1217
Fax: 507-389-2838
