15 Fellowships for Teachers and Educators

Are you a teacher or an educator? Did you know that fellowships are a great way for teachers and educators to expand their professional portfolios and diversify their careers?

In this article, learn more about teachers fellowships, how to apply as well as the selection criteria for most teaching fellowships.

In addition, you will get a list of teachers fellowships that provide opportunities for mentorship, travel, training, and professional development.

Continue to read this article to learn more about these amazing fellowship opportunities for teachers.

What is a teacher fellowship?

A teacher fellowship is a fellowship providing a student in a graduate school with free tuition as well as expenses and stipulating that the student assume some teaching duties in return.

It is usually a collaborative induction program that addresses the first-year teacher needs.

It takes its base on an exchange of resources between the university and the participating school districts.

Through the program, Teacher Fellows earn their M.Ed. while also serving as the fully certified teacher- of-record in participating school districts.

In exchange, experienced teachers (thus called Exchange Teachers) from these districts are released from classroom assignments to serve as on-site mentors to the Fellows during their first year.

The cohort approach of the Fellows program builds on shared experiences as well as the expertise of a seasoned teacher.

These Exchange Teachers, who are released from classroom teaching duties for a period of two to three years, provide intensive on-site induction and mentoring support for the Teacher Fellows.

As on-site mentors, they provide the novice teachers many types of support such as:

Information about procedures, guidelines, and expectations of the district
Use and availability of materials and resources
Teaching and assessment strategies
Classroom organization and management and…
Methods for working with family and community members.

How to apply for teachers fellowship

There are several different ways which institutions offering opportunities for teacher fellowships use to call for applications.

While some may require you to fill online forms, others may require that you send some documents to an email address provided.

Ensure that you make no mistakes when applying for these fellowships.

In general, here are some of the things that you may need to arrange for a teacher fellowship applications;

1. Statement of Interest:

This statement should outline why you are interested in becoming a Teaching Fellow;

It should state what gaps, needs, and/or challenges you think you would like to address in some way.
Must also state what particular skills and experiences help position you to address those, and…
What differences you hope you will make to teaching and learning within and/or amongst disciplines in the institution as well as to your own development as an educator and as an educational leader.

This statement of interest should be 4 pages maximum and single-spaced.

Although other institutions may have their own threshold, this should just serve as a guide.

2. Evidence of the Impact of Teaching and/or Educational Leadership:

You need to also provide evidence of how you are making an impact using your teaching career.

This evidence could include details about

student learning in or beyond the classroom
courses and/or programs you designed and/or redesigned;
previous recognitions, nominations, or awards received;
or research, service, workshops, presentations, and/or publications related to teaching and learning.

This too does not have to be more than 4 Page and single Spaced.

3. Curriculum Vitae

You will also be needing your CV when applying for teacher fellowships.

The CV will provide details about you and how your experience matches with your current pursuit.

4. Letter of Support from Chair, Dean, or colleague

For credibility sake Overview, you will have to provide an attestation letter from a credible source.

This could be your dean, head of department or colleague.

The letter of support will contain an overview of your suitability for the Teaching Fellowship program.

Also, it will narrate the impact and/or potential in the areas of exemplary teaching and educational leadership which you have demonstrated.

Finally, the letter must show that you have the ability to actively contribute to the enhancement of teaching and learning at the institution.

This document should not be more than 2 pages and single-spaced.

What are the criteria for the selection of teachers for a fellowship program?

Remember that the purpose of fellowships is for the fellow to gain advanced knowledge in a specialized field.

Therefore, a lot of things must be put into consideration when selecting teachers for the fellowship program.

Below are some of the criteria for the selection of teachers for a fellowship program;

The proposal identifies specific gaps, needs, and/or challenges that could be addressed.
It details relevant skills as well as experiences that would help to address the identified gaps, needs, and/or challenges.
It also articulates a compelling vision for positively impacting teaching and learning within and/or amongst disciplines at the institution you serve.
In addition, the proposal must articulate a compelling vision for your own development as an educator and as an educational leader.
Exhibits a noteworthy range or depth of teaching and/or educational leadership experience.
Demonstrates a sustained dedication to student learning, engagement, retention, as well as academic success.
All application materials consistently showcase experience in and commitment to exemplary teaching and learning.

If you meet all of these criteria, you might just get yourself a fellowship interview invitation.

What are the available fellowships for teachers and educators?

Below is a list of 15 fellowship programs for teachers.

Therefore, if you are a teacher that wants to advance in a particular field of education or research, then check out this list from ProFellow;

#1. Earthwatch Teach Earth USA Fellowship

Earthwatch Institute offers fully-funded Earthwatch Expeditions for educators.

As a result, educators in the U.S. that teach any subject in grades K-12 are eligible to apply for Teach Earth.

Fellows have the opportunity to spend 1-2 weeks on an Earthwatch Expedition alongside other teachers.

They are also able to develop their skills as well as understanding around environmental concerns.

Expeditions not only provide an opportunity to participate in hands-on, scientific research alongside the world’s top scientists, but they also provide an opportunity to network with colleagues and collaborate on curriculum development.

Expeditions take place in the US, Canada, Ecuador and more.

#2. Food Corps

Food Corps members teach children about food and nutrition in the classroom.

They do this by developing and teaching lesson plans to grades ranging from kindergarten through high school.

In addition, they integrate these activities into subjects such as math, science and history.

The aim is to work with teachers as well as school administrators to increase food and nutrition education in curricula, and more.

You will be placed with one service site for your year-long term.

FoodCorps service sites operate under 12-15 host sites, each located in a different state.

Fellows receive a $17,500 living allowance, a $5,730 AmeriCorps Segal Education Award, health insurance as well as other benefits.

#4. Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching (DA) Program for U.S. Teachers

Through the Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Short-Term Program, U.S. K-12 teachers and international educators can apply for long-term grants (3-6 months for U.S. teachers or 4 months for international teachers) or short-term grants (2-6 weeks) abroad to study at a university, observe classes and complete a project pertaining to their field of educational inquiry during their time abroad.

The program is open to teachers from the United States and selected countries in multiple world regions. U.S. teachers have a December deadline for long-term grants, February deadline for short-term grants.

#5. Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) Program

The FLTA Program has aimed to strengthen foreign language instruction at U.S. educational institutions by establishing a native speaker presence in the classroom.

The FLTA Program provides an opportunity for young, international teachers from outside the U.S. to refine their teaching skills, increase their English language proficiency as well as extend their knowledge of the cultures and customs of the U.S.

Host institutions in the U.S. provide fellows with a financial award great enough to cover room, board and daily living expenses.

Application details and grant terms for the Fulbright Program vary by country of citizenship and program.

#6. Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program

The Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program (Fulbright TEA) brings outstanding secondary school teachers from around the globe to the United States to further develop expertise in their subject areas, enhance their teaching skills, and increase their knowledge about the United States.

TEA consists of a six-week customized academic program including seminars on new teaching methodologies, curriculum development, and instructional technology.

Participants also work closely with US teachers in secondary schools while teaching.

#7. Ignited Summer Fellowship Program

Ignited (formerly IISME) offers research and industry-based professional development opportunities for K-16 teachers in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, and Solano Counties.

The program places eligible K-16 teachers of all subjects into high-performance work sites for the summer.

Teachers work full-time for 8 weeks, complete a project for their sponsors, and are paid $9,000.

Teachers also spend approximately 10% of their paid time focusing on how they will transfer their Fellowship experience back to their students.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until all Fellowships are filled.

#8. James Madison Graduate Fellowships

The James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation offers $24,000 James Madison Graduate Fellowships to a select group of individuals desiring to become outstanding secondary level teachers of the American Constitution.

Fellowship applicants compete only against other applicants from the states of their legal residence.

Generally, one Fellowship per state is awarded each year.

#9. Klingenstein Summer Institute

The Klingenstein Summer Institute gathers 75 teachers from around the world for an exploration of teaching styles, educational philosophies, educational issues and personal development.

Meeting for two weeks in late June, this intensive program offered in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, is specially designed to make teachers more effective leaders in the classroom and throughout the school.

The Klingenstein Summer Institute offers a full fellowship, including tuition for four graduate credits, as well as room and board.

Teachers with 2-5 years of full-time head teaching experience are eligible to apply.

#10. Math for America Early Career Fellowship

Math for America’s Early Career Fellowship is awarded to K-12 mathematics and science teachers who have fewer than four years’ experience in the classroom.

The teachers receive mentorship from a MƒA Master Teacher and are paid a stipend of $12,000 a year over four years.

It is a fellowship for new mathematics and science teachers to provide extensive support to enable early career teachers to grow and thrive in their profession.

#11. Math for America Master Teacher Fellowship

Over the course of the four-year fellowship, MƒA Master Teachers – NYC K-12 public school mathematics and science teachers with more than four years of teaching experience – join a community of exceptional STEM educators.

MƒA Master Teachers come together on a regular basis to collaborate and learn from each other.

Whether by participating in professional workshops and events, through mentorship of MƒA Early Career Fellows or by developing and facilitating new MƒA courses, Master Teachers continue to grow with fellow teachers, who share a passion for science or mathematics.

The fellowship provides $60,000 in stipends over four years.

#12. NEA Foundation Global Learning Fellowship

The NEA Foundation Global Learning Fellowship offers educators 12 months of professional development opportunities to support educators as they cultivate global competence skills and build global lesson plans that are shared with educators around the world.

Over the course of one year, Fellows participate in online coursework, a fall professional development workshop and a 9-day summer field study excursion.

The NEA Foundation covers all costs for meals, lodging, travel, and professional development activities. Active NEA members who are current k-12 classroom teachers are eligible.

#13. Project Kindle Teaching Fellowship

Project Kindle is seeking highly motivated high school teachers who want to engage and inspire their students by leading an Earthwatch expedition within the coming years.

Teachers are prepared with science research and necessary workshops to help organize their students to join an expedition with EarthWatch.

Topics include: best practices for recruiting students, communicating with parents, seeking scholarship funding, and overcoming additional obstacles.

Fellows receive the full cost of their assigned expedition, including meals, accommodations, and on-site transportation.

Fellows also receive a travel award grant to offset out-of-pocket travel expenses.

#14. School Ambassador Fellowships

The School Ambassador Fellowship is a paid position that supports the Department’s mission by employing a cadre of outstanding educators to contribute their classroom and school expertise to the national education dialogue and in turn facilitate discussions with educators across the country.

The program offers two separate year-long tracks: the Washington Fellowship, which is a full-time appointment where teachers, principals, and other school staff members are based in residence at the Department’s Headquarters in Washington, DC.

The Campus Fellowship enables educators to collaborate with the Department on a part-time basis while maintaining their regular school responsibilities in their home communities.

#15. Teachers Guild Fellowship

The Guild is a professional community that activates teachers’ creativity to solve the biggest challenges in education today.

Throughout the one year Fellowship, you’ll design an innovative solution, share it across your school or district, and be a part of a cohort of 10 exceptional educators from across the U.S. who believes in the power of teacher ideas to transform education from the ground up.

Includes two-day in-person cohort kickoff to grow as a creative leader at IDEO’s San Francisco offices.

Seeking current K-12 U.S. educators with 3+ years of experience; The Guild will prioritize teachers who serve in Title I schools.