Eligibility

Twin Cities Teaching Fellows is a highly selective alternative route to teaching program designed for outstanding individuals dedicated to impacting student achievement in high-need classrooms in the Twin Cities. Our admissions process is driven by the desire to build a network of leaders who will have a lasting effect on student achievement. Toward this end, we are seeking outstanding and diverse candidates with a relentless drive to make a difference, a dedication to setting only the highest expectations for themselves and their students, and an ability to thrive on overcoming challenges. To apply, candidates must meet the following eligibility requirements. No previous coursework in education or teaching experience is required.  

• You must possess a bachelor’s degree
  (conferred by June 10, 2010)
• Your undergraduate GPA must be 2.75 or higher.
• You must meet testing requirements for your subject area (math, science, bilingual elementary education or special education).
• You cannot be a current district or fully licensed teacher. You cannot have completed an education licensure program, or completed significant coursework in an education licensure program (i.e., anticipated graduation prior to or by May 2010).
• You must be eligible to work in the United States.   

You must possess a bachelor’s degree.
Those who hold a bachelor’s degree or who are currently completing their bachelor’s degree coursework from an accredited university and expect to have the degree awarded no later than June, 25, 2010 are eligible to apply. Please note that a bachelor's degree is a requirement for licensure in Minnesota.

Graduates of foreign universities must have their transcripts evaluated by an approved agency (see list below). When requesting an evaluation, be sure that the agency specifically states that you have received the U.S. equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in your subject area AND provides a full listing of your coursework. Candidates with a bachelor’s degree from a college or university outside of the U.S. cannot be accepted into the program until the completed evaluation has been faxed or mailed to the Fellows office.

American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers
Educational Credential Evaluators
International Education Research Foundation
World Education Services

Your undergraduate GPA must be 2.75 or higher.
Individuals must possess a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or higher.  Post-graduate coursework cannot contribute to this GPA requirement. 

You must meet testing requirements for your subject area.
Candidates must meet testing requirements according to state, district, and licensure program guidelines for the subject they wish to teach before they begin teaching. Fellows will teach in math, science, bilingual elementary education and special education classrooms—the greatest areas of need in Minnesota.

Fellows are responsible for registering for, studying for and passing the Praxis I (a general content knowledge exam), Praxis II Subject Assessment (a subject area-specific exam), and Praxis II: Principles of Learning & Teaching exam. Participation in the Teaching Fellows program is contingent upon passage of these required tests. We strongly recommend that all candidates register now for the Praxis I exam. Candidates should wait to register for the Praxis II exams until they have submitted their online application and have received specific, individualized direction on the appropriate Praxis II Subject Assessment and Praxis II: Principles of Learning & Teaching exam from the Fellows program office. Review the Testing Requirements section of this website for details on how to register and prepare. 

Candidates interested in teaching math or science must have strong content knowledge in order to be prepared to take and pass the required Praxis II Subject Assessment. Typically, candidates interested in teaching math or science will have significant relevant coursework (e.g., at least 15 credits) or significant relevant professional experience (e.g., a career in engineering). Candidates interested in teaching special education or bilingual elementary education must be prepared to take and pass the required Praxis II Subject Assessments. Bilingual elementary education candidates must also be prepared to demonstrate fluency in Spanish, Hmong or French at their Interview.

Subject Area- Specific Coursework & Testing Requirements

Candidates Invited to Interview for a Position Teaching	Must Meet the Following Coursework Requirements	Must Meet the Following Testing Requirements*
Math (grades 7-12)	Strong mathematics content knowledge	Praxis I (all three sections) Appropriate Praxis II (e.g.,mathematics)  Praxis II: Principles of Learning & Teaching (7-12)
Science (grades 7-12)	Strong science content knowledge (e.g., physics, chemistry, life science)	Praxis I (all three sections) Praxis II: Middle School Science exam Appropriate Praxis II Secondary focus area Content Exam (e.g., chemistry, physics, or life science) Praxis II: Principles of Learning & Teaching (7-12)
Spanish and English Bilingual Elementary Education (grades K-6)	No specific coursework required Fluency in English and Spanish	Praxis I (all three sections) Appropriate Praxis II (e.g., elementary education) Praxis II: Principles of Learning & Teaching (K-6)
French and English Bilingual Elementary Education (grades K-6)	No specific coursework required Fluency in English and French	Praxis I (all three sections) Appropriate Praxis II (e.g., elementary education) Praxis II: Principles of Learning & Teaching (K-6)
Hmong and English Bilingual Elementary Education (grades K-6)	No specific coursework required Fluency in English and Hmong	Praxis I (all three sections) Appropriate Praxis II (e.g., elementary education) Praxis II: Principles of Learning & Teaching (K-6)
Special Education (grades K-12)	No specific coursework required	Praxis I (all three sections) Appropriate Praxis II (e.g., education of exceptional students) Two Praxis II: Principles of Learning & Teaching exams (both the K-6 and the 7-12)

* Detailed information on the appropriate Praxis II exams to take for each subject area will be provided to candidates invited to interview with the Fellows program. Note that all candidates must take and pass the Praxis I, Praxis II Subject Assessment, and Praxis II Principles of Learning & Teaching exams.

Candidates invited to interview are required to register for both the Praxis II: Subject Assessment and the Praxis II: Principles of Learning & Teaching before the Interview event and bring proof of registration to their interview in order to continue their candidacy in the Teaching Fellows program.

You cannot be a fully licensed teacher. You cannot have completed an education licensure program, or completed significant coursework in an education licensure program (i.e., anticipated graduation prior to or by May 2010).
Current district teachers, as well as teachers already in possession of their teaching license or certification from Minnesota or any other state, are not eligible for the Fellows program. Individuals who have already completed a teacher preparation/licensure program or who have completed significant coursework in an education licensure program are not eligible for the Fellows program. However, individuals who are enrolled in an education licensure program but whose anticipated graduation date is after May 2010 may still apply. For more information about teaching positions for candidates who already hold their license, please refer to school district websites.

You must be eligible to work in the United States.

Applicants must present proof of legal work status in order to become employees of any school or district. We are not able to provide sponsorship through Twin Cities Teaching Fellows or any partner district.

With careful review of these eligibility requirements, Teaching Fellows candidates will benefit from a streamlined application and selection process and, if selected, will have the opportunity to participate in an intensive Training Institute this summer before embarking on a new career in education.

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