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The Woodrow Wilson
Indiana Teaching Fellowship
Frequently Asked Questions
General Information
- Excellent, paid preparation. The Indiana Teaching Fellowship offers Fellows a $30,000 stipend to pursue a high-quality master’s degree in teaching.
- Immediate impact and ongoing support. Fellows teach in schools with high-need student populations, but also with leadership and support. As soon as they begin teaching, Fellows will receive mentoring from their universities and experienced teachers in their schools.
- Preparation for a successful career in teaching. While Woodrow Wilson Indiana Teaching Fellows make a three-year commitment to teach in high-need schools, we believe that the high-quality preparation and support the Fellowship provides will position Fellows for a sustained and successful career in teaching. The Fellowship is not intended to be a short-term Peace Corps-like experience. Rather, it is designed as a launch pad for teacher development and professional growth that will help shape a new generation of outstanding educators and leaders in Indiana classrooms.
- Highly selective admission. The Woodrow Wilson Indiana Teaching Fellowship seeks to increase the quality of teaching candidates, not just the quantity. As a prestigious pathway to teaching for gifted undergraduates and accomplished career changers, the Fellowship will bring new talent into teaching, elevate the profession, and provide the preparation and ongoing support needed for success in the classroom.
- A new approach to teacher education. The Fellowship is more than a scholarship program. It seeks to transform teacher education while preparing future leaders in the teaching profession. The program provides participating universities with new resources to develop model programs that prepare teachers in math- and science-related fields. The Woodrow Wilson Foundation is working with these universities in a broad range of areas: redesigning curricula to improve teacher preparation; creating clinical experiences in schools to help teacher candidates succeed with diverse populations; and assessing candidates’ performance in the classroom. In the long term, this approach can lead to the adoption of more rigorous teacher education standards nationwide.
Q: What is the Woodrow Wilson Indiana Teaching Fellowship?
A: To increase the quantity and strengthen the quality of Indiana math, science, and technology teachers, the Woodrow Wilson Indiana Teaching Fellowship is creating the equivalent of a National Merit Scholarship for teachers. The Fellowship will offer recent graduates and career changers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) a stipend of $30,000 to complete a specially designed, cutting-edge master’s degree program, in exchange for a commitment to teach for three years in high-need secondary urban or rural schools. The program will provide Fellows with this stipend to support their preparation for teaching, including in-depth clinical experience, in one of four Indiana teacher education programs. Once their preparation is complete, Fellows will be part of a cohort teaching in high-need schools in the same district at the same time. The schools, along with university partners, will provide mentoring and support throughout the three-year Fellowship period. The Fellowship is administered by the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation with the strong support of Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels and is funded with a $10 million grant from the Lilly Endowment.
Q: What makes the Woodrow Wilson Indiana Teaching Fellowship different from other teacher certification programs?
A: The Woodrow Wilson Indiana Teaching Fellowship combines several best practices in teacher preparation by bringing together:
Q: Which Indiana institutions are participating? Why were they selected?
A: The Woodrow Wilson Foundation is partnering with four Indiana higher education institutions with high-quality teacher preparation programs. These institutions demonstrated their willingness to put in place bold, innovative approaches that can prepare teachers for a time in which our schools are undergoing dramatic changes. The four institutions are Ball State University, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Purdue University, and the University of Indianapolis.
Eligibility
- demonstrate a commitment to the program and its goals;
- have U.S. citizenship or permanent residency;
- have attained, or expect to attain by June 30, 2009, a bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. college or university;
- have majored in and/or have a strong professional background in a STEM field;
- have achieved a cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale (negotiable for applicants from institutions that do not employ a 4.0 GPA scale); and
- obtain a qualifying score on the Praxis I: Pre-Professional Skills Test.
Q: Who is eligible for the Woodrow Wilson Indiana Teaching Fellowship?
A: The Fellowship is open to college seniors, graduates, and career changers who:
Q: Do I need to have completed my undergraduate education in Indiana?
A: No, but the master’s degree must be completed at one of the four Indiana institutions participating in the Fellowship program, and the three-year teaching commitment must be fulfilled at a designated Indiana public school.
Q: I already have some teaching experience (full-time, substitute, para-professional, private school, etc.). May I apply for the Fellowship?
A: Ideally, Woodrow Wilson Indiana Teaching Fellows have an undergraduate major in a STEM discipline or substantial work experience in a STEM-related field, and are seeking a master’s degree in STEM education and clinical experience in an Indiana public secondary school. Prior teaching experience does not exclude a candidate from eligibility. All applications are considered in their entirety and selection is based on merit.
Q: Do I need to be an education major or have taken education classes to apply? What academic preparation should I have?
A: The Fellowship program is looking primarily for applicants with an undergraduate major in a STEM (science, technology, engineering, or math) field. Others who may not have majored in a STEM field, but who have significant work experience in one of these fields, are also encouraged to apply. These applications will be judged on their merits.
Q: If my field is one of the professions that draws heavily on science and math (such as physical therapy or accounting), or perhaps a social science with major STEM components (such as economics), may I apply?
A: You are welcome to apply. In the course of Fellowship selection, we will review all applicants’ transcripts to clarify the work each candidate has already completed in STEM fields. Some additional undergraduate courses may be required by a partner institution if a candidate’s previous experience does not yet meet the institution’s minimum standard for content knowledge in a given area.
Q: My college GPA was not 3.0 or better. Can I still apply?
A: Yes. If you feel your undergraduate GPA does not adequately reflect your capabilities, you may still apply for the Fellowship. Section VI on the application provides an opportunity for you to describe and clarify any extenuating circumstances, and/or speak to ways in which you feel your accomplishments are a better measure of your excellence than your undergraduate GPA.
Q: I graduated from college a few years ago. Can I still apply?
A: Yes, absolutely. Career changers of all ages are welcome to apply, and can use professional accomplishments (for example, awards, professional certifications, service records) to demonstrate their potential. Partner institutions will work individually with candidates to certify that career changers selected as Fellows satisfy their own requirements for demonstrated content knowledge.
Q: I am interested in the Fellowship program, but I don’t want to teach in Indiana. Do you have programs in other states?
A: The Woodrow Wilson Indiana Teaching Fellowship requires that recipients teach in Indiana schools, since one purpose of the Fellowship is to increase the number of high-quality secondary math, science, and technology teachers in the state. Other states are expected to launch Woodrow Wilson state teaching fellowship programs in the future.
There is a national version of the program, the Leonore Annenberg Teaching Fellowship, for which candidates apply directly to the schools of education at the participating institutions. To learn more about the Annenberg Fellowship, review the initial press announcement on the Woodrow Wilson Web site. To find out how to apply, please make direct contact with the Annenberg Fellowship’s partner institutions—Stanford University and the universities of Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington.
Application Process
Q: What is the process for applying? Can I apply online? Do I need to apply separately to each institution in which I might be interested? When will I find out if I am accepted?
A: Applicants will apply to the Woodrow Wilson Foundation for the Woodrow Wilson Indiana Teaching Fellowship. Applications are available on the Foundation's Web site and are due by December 15, 2008. Fellows will be selected by early April 2009, and will begin graduate studies in summer 2009. All applications will be accepted online only, and only through the Woodrow Wilson Foundation. You should not apply separately to the partner institution(s).
Q: Is there an application fee?
A: Application for the Woodrow Wilson Indiana Teaching Fellowship is free, and partner institutions have agreed to waive their application fees.
Q: What are my odds? How many applications does the Woodrow Wilson Fellowship receive each year?
A: Since this is the first year of the Woodrow Wilson Indiana Teaching Fellowship, we cannot predict the number of applicants. However, since the Fellowship offers a paid pathway to teaching with excellent preparation and support, we anticipate strong interest in this highly selective program. At the same time, we welcome and encourage applications from all qualified applicants.
Q: Will I need to pay tuition?
A: Yes. The $30,000 fellowship stipend is a direct payment to you that can be used toward tuition and living expenses. Each campus will have its own tuition and financial aid arrangements for Fellows. To find out more, please visit the Fellows pages at Ball State University, IUPUI, Purdue University, and the University of Indianapolis.
Q: Will I qualify for loan forgiveness as a teacher in a high-need school?
A: The Federal government offers loan forgiveness of up to $17,500 in Federal loans for math and science teachers who 1) meet the highly-qualified teacher status, 2) teach for five consecutive years, and 3) teach for these five years in a low-income school. As a Woodrow Wilson Indiana Teaching Fellow, you should easily meet the criteria of being a highly-qualified teacher in a low-income school. For more information, please visit the Federal Student Aid Web site.
Q: Is the stipend taxable?
A: Please consult with your tax advisor for further information.
Q: When would I receive my Fellowship stipend?
A: Fellows will receive their stipends in two equal payments of $15,000. The first payment will be mailed at the start of the first semester of work, upon confirmation from the partner university that the Fellow has registered for coursework. For the fall semester, this payment will arrive on or about September 1, 2009. When the university confirms that the Fellow is in good academic standing and has registered for the second semester, the Woodrow Wilson Foundation will send the second installment of $15,000. The stipend is paid directly to the Fellow.
Q: How many Fellowships will be awarded annually?
A: For the first year, the Woodrow Wilson Foundation expects to award a total of 80 Fellowships—20 to each of the four participating institutions. In addition, the Foundation will select a number of alternates who may be offered the Fellowship if those originally selected choose to decline for any reason.
Q: The application’s supporting documents include an official score report from the Praxis I exam. What is Praxis I? Is there a fee?
A: Praxis I is a pre-professional skills test that is used by most states as a minimum standard for teacher licensure. The test measures very basic skills in reading, writing, and mathematics, but does not require any knowledge of teaching, pedagogy, K-12 education systems, or curriculum standards. Because states require the test for licensure, many schools of education also rely on it in considering admissions to teacher education programs. There is a fee to take Praxis I.
Q: How and where do I take the Praxis I test? Are there other exams I will have to take?
A: The exam is available in both an online version (less expensive, with more flexible scheduling) and a paper-based version (available on a set schedule at limited locations). The online version is strongly recommended for applicants to the Woodrow Wilson Indiana Teaching Fellowship. More information can be found at the Web site of the Educational Testing Service (ETS). In planning to take the Praxis I test, please bear in mind that ETS typically requires at least 30 days to process and provide score reports.
No other exams are required for the Fellowship application.
Q: How do I order a score report for the Praxis I test? How do I submit a score report?
A: Official score reports can be ordered at the time of registration. Only official, original score reports will be accepted. A score report can either be mailed to the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation, with other supporting documentation, OR applicants may send reports directly to the Foundation through ETS, by selecting the appropriate institution recipient: WW Teaching Fellowship, code 2521.
Q: Once I have taken Praxis I, how can I determine whether my scores meet state cutoffs for teacher licensure?
A: The Indiana Division of Professional Standards requires a Praxis I Reading score of 176, a Writing score of 172, and a Mathematics score of 175. Test-takers may repeat exams to improve scores.
Q: Where and when will interviews be conducted?
A: Interviews will be conducted at various sites throughout Indiana from January 26 through March 1. Applicants selected for an interview will be asked to select the date and location that best works for them. The interview will begin at 1:00 PM and end at 5:30 PM. Applicants selected for an interview who live outside of Indiana will be provided with alternate opportunities to fully participate in the interview process.
Q: What will the interview day look like?
A: Applicants selected for an interview should come prepared to spend the afternoon with the Woodrow Wilson interview team. Following an explanation of the day’s schedule, applicants will meet in small groups where each applicant will present a short sample teaching lesson. This lesson may be on any subject but should not be more than five minutes in length. A white board, chalk board, or chart paper will be available for your use and you may bring additional materials if appropriate. Please note that you are not expected to know how to teach. Use this as an opportunity to demonstrate your potential.
Following the sample teaching lesson, each candidate will participate in a 30 minute one-on-one interview with a Woodrow Wilson selector. While candidates are waiting for their interview, or after they complete their interview, they will have 30 minutes to complete a short writing assignment. No advanced preparation is required for this part of the interview process.
The day will close with a whole group question and answer period where candidates are free to ask any additional questions about the program not previously addressed.
Q: Is it possible that I could receive a Woodrow Wilson Indiana Teaching Fellowship but not be admitted to the institution where I am placed?
A: No. The Fellowship application has been aligned with admission requirements and review at the participating universities. A Fellowship to attend a given institution will only be offered to someone who is also being admitted by that institution.
Q: If I do not receive a Woodrow Wilson Indiana Teaching Fellowship but would still like to enroll in a teacher preparation program at one of the partner institutions, may I do so?
A: Yes, if that institution admits you. It will likely be necessary for you to take additional steps to apply to that institution. It is also possible that you will be invited to apply by one or more of the partner institutions, as your application will have been shared with whichever partner institutions you have indicated as your preferences.
Q: If I am not accepted for the Fellowship and choose not to pursue the master’s without it, can I apply for the Fellowship again in the following year?
A: Absolutely. We will welcome your continued interest.
Q: Am I allowed to work at another job while I am studying for my master’s degree? While I am teaching?
A: While the Fellowship should be a student’s primary commitment, s/he may hold additional employment, following consultation with the on-campus program coordinator. Any employment should be planned around the Fellowship curriculum so as not to conflict with classes and clinical preparation. It should be clear, however, that the Fellowship program will essentially be the equivalent of a full-time job.
Master’s Program
Q: What type of master’s degree will I receive?
A: Woodrow Wilson Indiana Teaching Fellows will receive a master’s degree following successful completion of the partner institution’s master’s degree program. While the four partner institutions are offering degrees with slightly different titles, in all cases Fellows will receive a master’s degree and complete all the preparatory requirements necessary in order to take exams for Indiana teaching licensure.
Q: Am I able to choose where I will study for my master’s degree?
A: In the application, candidates are asked to indicate, in ranked order, their preferences among the four participating universities. Every effort will be made to match a candidate with his or her first-choice institution. However, the final determination will be made by the Woodrow Wilson Foundation depending on the pool of applicants, the fit with campus programs, and the needs of partnering school districts. If extenuating circumstances require a candidate to stay in one geographical area, there is an opportunity to describe those circumstances in Section VI of the application.
Q: Is there a required program of study?
A: While the program of study varies among the four institutions, each university will offer a master’s degree, redesigned in consultation with the Woodrow Wilson Foundation. Each program will encompass a rigorous curriculum coupled with intensive clinical experiences, with the goal of giving Fellows the best possible preparation for advancing student learning in middle- and high-school classrooms and for a successful teaching career.
Q: When will coursework begin?
A: All of the participating universities will begin coursework in June or July, 2009. For further information, please refer to the individual Web pages for each of the four universities.
Q: Will I get teaching experience?
A: Yes. All four master’s degree programs will include significant experience in public secondary schools. Both the master’s coursework and teaching experience will focus on providing the practical, subject-specific education needed to prepare Fellows to succeed with students in high-need schools.
Q: What exams do I need to take? Are there any costs involved in getting certified?
A: While the master’s degree program will include all the necessary coursework for getting an Indiana teaching license, licensure candidates must pass the Praxis I exam (already required for program admission) and the Praxis Specialty Area Tests. The Indiana Department of Education does charge a small application fee for a first teaching license.
Q: What grades and subjects will I be certified to teach after I receive my degree?
A: The Fellowship focuses on secondary teaching in STEM fields. However, the different campuses emphasize particular subjects and certification areas. Visit the partner institutions’ descriptions on the Woodrow Wilson Web site for more details. The type of certification will depend upon which program a Fellow enrolls in and/or which courses s/he takes.
Q: What if I still have specific questions about one or more of the university programs?
A: For any remaining questions, please contact Dana DiLullo for more information.
School Placement and Support
- The University of Indianapolis and IUPUI will partner with the Indianapolis Public Schools and other districts in the immediate Indianapolis vicinity.
- Ball State University will partner with the public schools in Anderson and Muncie, Indiana.
- Purdue University will partner with rural school districts in the south eastern and north central regions of the state.
Q: Do I get to choose where I will teach in Indiana?
A: In the application, candidates can rank in their order of preference the four participating Indiana universities. This directly impacts where Fellows will teach, since each university is partnered with several secondary schools in its area:
Q: What about special circumstances that may limit how far I can travel to complete the master’s degree, or where I can be placed for my teaching assignment?
A: The application contains a section to note extenuating circumstances (Section VI), which will be taken into consideration when your application is reviewed. However, Fellows are urged to remain as open and flexible as possible about future placement.
Q: Will I be on my own once I start teaching?
A: No. From the beginning, Fellows are part of a cohort that will be placed in schools in the same district at the same time and continue working together, helping to promote a community of support and learning within and across their schools.
Q: Can I switch schools during my three-year teaching obligation? Or grade levels/subjects?
A: The Fellowship focuses on STEM teaching at the secondary level in high-need schools in Indiana. It is strongly preferred that, if at all possible, a Fellow remains at the site where s/he is originally placed so that s/he will have the full benefit of mentoring. It is possible that a Fellow who transfers to another teaching assignment may lose some or all of the mentoring benefit, as well as some of the ongoing university services.
Teaching Commitment and Other Obligations
Q: How long must I teach to fulfill my commitment to the program?
A: Woodrow Wilson Indiana Teaching Fellows agree to teach for three years in Indiana high-need secondary urban or rural schools, contingent on completing their master’s degree program and attaining their teaching license.
Q: Can I teach for only one or two years?
A: No. Fellows commit to teaching for three years in Indiana when they accept the Fellowship.
Q: What happens if my teaching placement doesn’t work out, or I drop out of my degree program?
A: Each university has a program coordinator who will oversee the Fellowship and work with Fellows to ensure that they are satisfied with their degree program, that they are progressing well, and that they develop a strong relationship with colleagues in the school at which they student-teach. The partner institution will continue to work with Fellows once they begin teaching full-time, to help them transition to the classroom and address challenges in their work. If a placement is not successful, the university program coordinator will explore with the Fellow other placement possibilities in the area.
Program Completion
Q: What happens at the conclusion of the three-year teaching commitment?
A: While Fellows will be free to choose the future direction of their career, we believe that the high-quality preparation and support the Fellowship provides will position Fellows for a sustained and successful career in teaching. Once selected as Fellows, the Woodrow Wilson Indiana Teaching Fellows become lifelong members of a national network of intellectual leaders. Today’s 20,000 Woodrow Wilson Fellows include 13 Nobel Laureates, 35 MacArthur “genius grant? recipients, 14 Pulitzer Prize winners, two Fields Medalists in mathematics, and many other noted scholars and leaders.
Q: Can I teach in another state after I complete my three-year commitment?
A: Yes. Once the three-year teaching commitment in Indiana is fulfilled, Fellows may teach anywhere they choose, assuming they meet applicable licensure standards in their new state.
Q: What will be my involvement with the Woodrow Wilson Indiana Teaching Fellowship and future Woodrow Wilson Fellows after my commitment is complete?
A: Even after their teaching commitment is complete, Fellows remain part of a statewide network of Indiana Teaching Fellows, as well as the larger national network of 20,000 Woodrow Wilson Fellows. In addition, the Woodrow Wilson Foundation can help Fellows find out about requirements for National Board Certification—for which Fellows will be eligible after three years of teaching—and may arrange mentorships with new Indiana Teaching Fellows.
Contact
Other questions that are not answered in the information posted on this site can be directed by email to Dana DiLullo at the Woodrow Wilson Foundation.