The Woodrow Wilson-Rockefeller Brothers Fund
Fellowships for Aspiring Teachers of Color
Frequently Asked Questions for Current and Alumni Fellows
This FAQ will be updated periodically. Please check back for new information.
Q: Have changes been made to the Fellowship program with the transfer to the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation?
A: The goals for the WW-RBF Fellowships for Aspiring Teachers of Color have not changed. The Fellowship program seeks to expand the pool of teachers of color by recruiting and supporting outstanding students of color majoring in the arts and sciences to teaching as a career. The emphasis is on bringing into the field new candidates with strong arts and sciences backgrounds to expand the pool of future teachers for America’s urban and rural schools. Fellows are still required to teach for three years in an urban, hard-to-staff school.
Several important changes have been made to enhance the fellowship experience beginning with the class of 2010:
- Fellowship stipends were increased to $30,000.00.
- Fellows must have an arts and science major and an outstanding academic record in their disciplines.
- Fellows must be nominated in the senior year of their undergraduate program at one of the nominating institutions.
- The network of nominating institutions was increased.
- Fellowship awards may only be used at the Foundation’s graduate education program partners.
Q: What is the network of graduate education program partners?
A: The Woodrow Wilson Foundation created a set of standards that it feels is essential for programs that prepare Fellows to provide high quality instruction on day one in their future urban schools. Given the special social, economic and academic challenges that exist in many urban and hard-to-staff schools, the Foundation has identified a select group of education preparation programs that have demonstrated records of success in preparing their graduates to make important contributions to schools that diverse students and communities. The standards were developed in consultation with a national panel of leaders in the field. View graduate education program partners...
Q: What is the Rockefeller Brothers Fund commitment to the program’s continuation?
A: The Rockefeller Brothers Fund (RBF) has committed $5 million to the Fellowship program. This grant provides funding for the classes of 2010, 2011 and 2012 and the related administrative support. The Woodrow Wilson Foundation is committed to securing funding to continue the Fellowships beyond 2012 when the RBF grant ends.
Q: What should I expect as a current RBF or WW-RBF Fellow?
A: The policies and requirements in effect when you were selected for the Fellowship program still apply to you. Any balance in your account was transferred to the Woodrow Wilson Foundation and future requests for payment should be sent to the Foundation. Please contact Dana M. DiLullo with any questions you might have about your fellowship.
Q: How can I continue to be involved in the program?
A: The Woodrow Wilson Foundation has created a new online community that welcomes all former and current Fellows from all of the Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowship programs. You contact the Foundation to join the online network. The new online national community of Fellows includes the Lenore Annenberg Teaching Fellows and the Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellows.
Former Fellows are also encouraged to mentor new Fellows in their area, to help convene conversations with their colleagues, to share information on the online community, and attend the annual convening of Fellows. For more information about, and to register for, the convening, please contact: Dana M. DiLullo.
This FAQ will be updated periodically. Please check back for new information.