Recruiting Teachers

Dear Fellows and Regional Staff members, I am excited to let you know that the application for 2012-2013 will be on-line shortly (hopefully early next week) with a closing date in mid-February. My hope, as in the past, is to have selection decisions made in late April and for the 5th group of Fellows to start in summer 2012. Please let teachers in your vast networks now that the application will soon be available. The word of mouth network has always made the difference in bringing us great candidates. The content of the application has changed little from last year other than some minor clarifications. I am pleased, however, to announce a new program component. In 2012, we are proposing to add three Regional Fellow positions in the coming year (pending full funding). Like the Washington Fellowship, these would be full-time positions, based in one of the three hub areas for our Regional Communications and Outreach offices (the positions Northeast Hub position would be based in Boston, Philadelphia or NYC; the South/Midwest Hub position would be based in Atlanta; and the Western Hub position in Seattle). Regional Fellows will work closely with Regional Office staff and Classroom Fellows to more systematically reach out to teachers to share information about the Department, hear what teachers in the field have to say, and contribute their expertise and learning to Department program and policy development. As you know, we have made a policy decision in the past that in order to grow the network we would not consider applications for previous year’s Classroom or Washington Fellows. However, because the Regional Fellowship would greatly benefit from existing networks and relationships, we are opening up this particular component to previous year Fellows. I know the locations of these positions may preclude many of you from serving in this capacity (and unfortunately given funding, we would not provide housing or relocations benefits) , but for those of you who it may be feasible, I hope you will consider the position. I think this is an exciting opportunity. Finally, I want to let you know that at the urging of Fellows across the years, we are experimenting with the structure of the Classroom Fellowship hours in order to enable teachers to request “hybrid” positions with their districts and us. This is not a dramatic change for us, as those of you who have had more flexible positions already know. Rather we are trying to be upfront with applicants and their primary employers that the unpaid leave required for the teacher to participate in the Classroom Fellowship could range from a limited amount (approximately 10 days a year) up to as much as 50% of the Fellow’s time and that this would be up to the Fellow, their primary employer, and ourselves to negotiate at the point of selection. My hope is that this can create more flexibility and accommodate different Fellows’ specific needs. The specific hour amounts, like the Regional Fellow positions, are of course dependent on our final funding, but I am excited that we are opening the door in this direction and I appreciate everyone’s feedback that has brought us to this place. With that, again, I just ask that you notify teachers in your network that the applications for the 2012-2013 Washington, Classroom and now Regional Fellowships will be available shortly and accessible atwww.ed.gov/programs/teacherfellowship<http://www.ed.gov/programs/teacherfellowship>. Teachers are also welcome to email us at TeacherFellowship@ed.gov<mailto:TeacherFellowship@ed.gov> to be notified when the application is officially released or if they have any questions. You are of course ALWAYS welcome to call or email me directly. Thank you! Gillian Gillian Cohen-Boyer Director, Teaching Ambassador Fellowship Office of Communications and Outreach 202-401-1259 (office) 202-365-7944 (cell)