12/19/2006
Media Contact:
Justin Ohlemiller, 317-327-3690
Mary Louise Bewley, 317-226-4649 |
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IPS Superintendent and Mayor announce new program to attract talented people to teach in IPS
Indianapolis – IPS Superintendent Dr. Eugene G. White and Mayor Bart Peterson today announced the launch of the Indianapolis Teaching Fellows program, a new initiative to attract outstanding professionals and recent college graduates to the field of teaching. The program is coordinated by The New Teacher Project, a nationally heralded nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the number of outstanding individuals who become public school teachers.
The goal of the Indianapolis Teaching Fellows program is to fill 150 teaching positions in IPS over three years in areas where teacher shortages exist, namely math, science, special education and Spanish. The program is an innovative approach to improving student achievement by recruiting and training highly talented individuals who have well-rounded backgrounds, the ability to thrive and to overcome challenges, as well as a drive to achieve results.
A bachelor’s degree is a prerequisite, but no other education coursework is required. Selected program participants will undergo intensive pre-service training this summer and will earn a state teaching license through Marian College. Participants also will have access to a network of ongoing support and professional development resources to help them succeed in raising student achievement in the classroom.
“The Teaching Fellows will be able to connect lessons to their recent experiences in the business world to make instruction relevant, which we know is a critical element to keeping students engaged and stemming the dropout problem,” Dr. White said.
The program is funded by a federal Transition to Teaching grant and local funds of $75,000 provided by a new non-profit organization chaired by Mayor Bart Peterson and led by former Charter Schools Director David Harris.
“By attracting great teachers into IPS, this program will have lasting effects on students for years to come and will further enrich the pool of highly talented people in the teaching ranks in Indianapolis,” Mayor Peterson said.
The early application deadline is January 15. The final application deadline is February 26. Informational events will be held throughout January and February. More information is available at www.indianapolisteachingfellows.org.
Since 1997, The New Teacher Project has recruited, prepared or certified nearly 20,000 high-quality teachers, worked with more than 150 school districts and established more than 40 programs in 22 states.
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