NYC teaching fellowship??

Does anyone know anything about this or anyone that has done it? I have been looking into teaching for some time now and it is an option. I just got a notice that I was accepted to the interview portion of the program. It's one step closer to being accepted I'm just confused on what to do!! I'm just nervous about where I might be sent, you have to go to SURR schools which aren't in great areas....anyway, any advice will be great!!
Thanks!!

Re: NYC teaching fellowship??

Nope. I was too afraid of where they would send me so I went to a private school instead (which is costing$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$)

Re: NYC teaching fellowship??

Did you look at the Board of Ed website to get info? It's www.teachny.com. I just finished my Masters in El-Ed so I can't do the teaching fellows, but I would have if I hadn't gone back to school yet. I had some classes at Pace with Teaching Fellows (because Pace is one of the schools that offers the program). They all seemed really happy with their decision to become a teaching fellow. I mean, it's definitely TONS of hard work and the schools are not in good areas, but I'm sure it's very rewarding.

Re: NYC teaching fellowship??

Unfortunately, the Teaching Fellowship was not around when I wanted to get my degree and job. However, don't worry about where you are placed. I spent my first year of teaching in a low-performing high school and the students were fine. I now work in a non-SURR school on the Upper East Side and the students are the same as they were in the South Bronx (where I originally worked). It is a lot of work but definitely rewarding! I can ask around at work if anyone is a teaching fellow and get their experiences so far.

Re: NYC teaching fellowship??

I have a friend who is in her second year of the program. She thought it would be a great idea to get her master's through the NYC schools. She is teaching in East New York - 5th grade. Boy, does she have some wild stories! Some of her students are out of control. She was even hit by a student in the stomach and had to take a couple of days off.

She will be finished with her master's degree in May - you can't beat that!

I don't want to scare you from the program. It is just a lot of work teaching in a 'easy' school. You might have the personality and perseverance to teach the more 'difficult' students.

Good luck to you.

Re: NYC teaching fellowship??

I was interested at first, but the thought of having to work in a really bad neighborhood scares me too much.

Re: NYC teaching fellowship??

Julybaby..I would appreciate it if you can ask around for me. Did the girl that got hit in the stomach chose to teach 5th grade or was she placed there? I want early ele ed. I have gone on the website, but I was looking for more 'real' answers, not what they want you to hear, but the truth! I'm torn about the areas I'll be placed in. Obviously, my safety is my first concern! I think I have the right attitude and enough perserverance to survive. I'm ready for the work-load, I think I can handle it. I just hope I make the right decision!
Thanks ladies!

Re: NYC teaching fellowship??

Sha11209 - I will get back to you in a couple of days with some answers.

Re: NYC teaching fellowship??

just make sure you read the fine print...I think you have to stay in the school for 3-5 years...or pay them back...

Re: NYC teaching fellowship??

you have to committ for 2 years and then you're free to teach where you want.
Thanks girls!

Re: NYC teaching fellowship??

Can anyone please explain to me what exactly a Teaching Fellowship is? Thnaks. (I am interested in teaching - was gonna get a Master's in TESOL - teaching english as a second language - but would like to hear more...)

Re: NYC teaching fellowship??

It's a very selective program run by the NYC BOE that helps 'change of career' people w/no previous experience in teaching or any previous schooling in teaching get into ed. You go through an intense training starting in the spring that runs through the end of the summer. They help condition you for what to expect in the classroom etc. You get plassed in a SURR school in sept and have to commit to teach there for 2 years and then you're certified and have your masters and are free to teach wherever you want. Through this training, you're also taking classes to get your masters through participating colleges(mostly SUNY.) It's very demanding and many people(like myself) are nervous about the places you are placed to teach in. These are areas and schools where they have teacher shortages (people don't want to teach in these places...)and underachieving schools test wise. Is it worth it......that's what I'm trying to figure out! You can check it out at teachny.com I think.
Good luck!