Rhode Island Teaching Fellows teach students in the subject areas and the schools where their expertise is needed the most.. We are currently recruiting for the critical shortage subject areas of math, science and secondary special education. To determine what subject area you may be eligible to teach, refer to the Eligibility page. Fellows must pass specific examinations in order to begin the Summer Training Institute in summer 2009 and to start teaching full time in the fall.

It is the responsibility of Teaching Fellows to seek and secure a full time teaching position by September 30, 2010.  The program office will help to coordinate the job search by directing Fellows to schools with vacancies in their subject area and often arranging interviews with school hiring representatives directly.  Please note that your continued participation in Rhode Island Teaching Fellows is contingent upon district need, the availability of vacancies in your subject area in the program’s partner districts, and your success securing a teaching position through an interview with a principal or other district hiring official or district assignment.

The RITF program office has partnered with districts across the state that are committed to finding high quality teaching candidates to fill their high-need subject areas.  In 2009, 95% of our Teaching Fellows had secured full time teaching positions by the first day of school and 100% had jobs by the end of September.  However, it should be noted that the district hiring process can be challenging, and that continuing with the RITF program is contingent on Fellows successfully securing a teaching position.  Due to mobility within the school system, it is often difficult to predict exact vacancies until very close to, and in some cases just after, the beginning of the school year. The job search process is typically experienced in phases, and will therefore look different before, during and after training and may look different in each of the urban districts. Fellows may secure their teaching positions through job fairs, individual on-site interviews with principals and assistant principals, or through direct assignment by central district personnel. Teaching Fellows will receive more detailed information on the district hiring process once they have been accepted to and have enrolled in the program.

It is the mission of the Rhode Island Teaching Fellows program to work in schools with the highest need for teachers. As a result, all candidates must be flexible about their teaching assignment and should be prepared to teach wherever they are most needed. Teaching Fellows will embark on their new careers addressing inequities in education, by setting high expectations for the students in their classrooms and dedicating themselves to impacting these students’ achievement. We call on you to accept the urgent challenge to make a difference in schools in most need of high-quality educators.

Want to learn more? Join us for an Information Session.