Welcome

The Texas State University-San Marcos Teacher Fellows Program specializes in personalized induction and mentoring of new teachers. Each beginning teacher is immersed in teaching in a central Texas participating school district while completing an M.Ed. in elementary education. The program provides an integrated curriculum focused on principles of constructivist learning, teacher research, project-based learning, and performance assessment.

Mission Statement

The purpose of the Teacher Fellows Program is to provide a supportive professional community for beginning teachers. Through school/university partnerships, the program facilitates on-going professional growth for new and experienced teachers that results in effective teaching and enhanced student learning.

Program Goals

·        Retain promising novice teachers in the profession

·        Assist novice teachers with problems common to beginning teachers

·        Enhance knowledge and skills necessary for successful teaching

·        Integrate beginning teachers into the school and community cultures

·        Refine reflective teaching practices

·        Continue study of advanced teaching and learning strategies

·        Promote positive attitudes towards teaching

Program Description

Teacher Fellows is a collaborative induction program between Texas State University-San Marcos and several Central Texas school districts. It addresses first-year teacher needs based on an exchange of resources between the university and the participating school districts.

Through the program, Teacher Fellows earn their M.Ed. while also serving as the fully certified teacher- of-record in participating school districts. In exchange, experienced teachers (thus called Exchange Teachers) from these districts are released from classroom assignments to serve as on-site mentors to the Fellows during their first year.

The cohort approach of the Fellows program builds on shared experiences and the expertise of a seasoned teacher. These Exchange Teachers, who are released from classroom teaching duties for a period of two to three years, provide intensive on-site induction and mentoring support for the Teacher Fellows. As on-site mentors, they provide the novice teachers many types of support such as: information about procedures, guidelines, and expectations of the district; use and availability of materials and resources; teaching and assessment strategies; classroom organization and management; and methods for working with family and community members.

Since 1994, more than 300 beginning teachers have completed the program.  Participating school districts currently include: Comal ISD, Hays CISD, Lake Travis ISD, Leander ISD, and Round Rock ISD.

Program Benefits

This nontraditional program is open to Pre K-Grade 6 beginning teachers. A cohort approach, which includes a full-time master teacher mentor per three beginning teachers/graduate students, builds on the shared experience and expertise of seasoned faculty. Additional benefits include: 

• Six semesters tuition & fees paid (36 semester credit hours)
• $16,000 fellowship in lieu of salary
• Opportunity for Texas State health insurance through Student Health Center
• Worker’s compensation
• Ongoing intensive on-site induction support from Faculty Exchange Teachers
• Peer support of Teacher Fellows cohort
• Opportunity to increase and refine teaching skills with academic support through graduate classes
• Placement in a desirable school district

Program Qualifications

Teacher Fellows are fully certified first-year teachers who have completed all Texas certification requirements. Teacher Fellows assume full responsibility for a teacher-of-record position in a participating school district. During that year, Teacher Fellows are supported through direct involvement and supervision by both district and Texas State personnel. The majority of Teacher Fellows are recruited from the student teachers in Texas State’s undergraduate programs, although graduates from other institutions are eligible.

Interested students submit applications, which are screened on the basis of academic, instructional, organizational, managerial, and interpersonal capabilities, as well as on the basis of commitment to teaching and professional growth and development. Individuals applying to the Teacher Fellows program must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Baccalaureate degree in elementary education from an accredited college or university
• Valid Texas teaching license/certificate
• Undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or better
• Admission to Texas State Graduate College

Course Sequence 

Summer I

CI 5313: Human Growth & Development

CI 5370: Classroom Mgt. & Legal Issues

Summer II

CI 5326: Elementary Curriculum

CI 5375: Integrating Technology in Elementary Curriculum

Fall

CI 5390: Research Seminar

CI 5317: Advanced Curriculum Leadership

Spring

CI 5306: Evaluative Techniques

CI 5327: Principles and Practices of Elementary School Teaching

Second Summer I & II

12 hrs of electives

Application Information Deadlines

There are two separate parts to completing the application process.

Part I. Graduate College Application – Due Feb 15        

The first part of the application includes the following items:

·      Complete Texas State Graduate College Application form.

·      A $40 application fee

·      Official transcripts:
If you are a Texas State University – San Marcos degree recipient or are currently enrolled, you need to request transcripts from any colleges NOT listed on your Texas State transcript. The Graduate College will provide the Texas State transcripts.

If you are not a Texas State University – San Marcos degree recipient or are not currently enrolled, one official transcript from each senior level post secondary institution attended is required. These transcripts must be mailed directly from the university or college attended or submitted in a sealed university envelope with the university registrar’s signature on the back of the envelope.

NOTE: Please indicate on your Graduate College Application that you are applying for the Teacher Fellows Program. Failure to make these notations may delay the approval process. The above items for Part I should be submitted by February 15 to:

The Graduate College

601 University Drive

Texas State University – San Marcos

San Marcos, TX 78666-4605

NOTE: You will not hear back from the Graduate College about admittance to the Teacher Fellows Program until after the final selections have been made at the end of April.

Part II: Teacher Fellows Application – Due March 5, 2010 (Friday prior to Spring Break)

The second part of the application should include all of the following materials in one packet:

Complete Teacher Fellow Application (click here for Teacher Fellows Application)

• A copy of valid teaching certificate and/or a copy of your degree summary indicating your major
• Three (3) reference forms (click here for reference forms) sealed in envelopes with reference signature on the outside seal.  It is your responsibility to distribute the enclosed reference forms and return them as part of the application packet.
• Current 1-2 page resume

The above items for Part II should be sent to:

        Teacher Fellows Program

        c/o Dr. Barbara H. Davis

        Texas State University – San Marcos

        601 University Drive, ED 3075

        San Marcos, Texas 78666-4616

In order to be considered for admission to the Teacher Fellows Program, both (Graduate College and Teacher Fellow) applications must be received on and before the Friday prior to Spring Break for the year in which you are applying.

After the deadline in March, the Selection Committee will review all applications. Based upon your qualifications and the completeness of your file, the Committee will select those candidates who will interview with participating school district personnel. If selected as a candidate, you will be contacted by the Teacher Fellows Program to schedule an interview with participating districts.

Please contact us if you have further questions.

Dr. Barbara Davis, Co-Director

512.245.8196
BD@txstate.edu

Laura Duhon, Co-Director

512.245.2157

LD11@txstate.edu

Lynda Sierra, Administrative Assistant

512.245.8187

LS48@txstate.edu

Frequently Asked Questions