Teacher Quality and Retention Program
Program Overview | Program Facts | Eligibility Requirements | Application Process | Frequently Asked Questions | Contact Us
DEVELOP MINDS...DELIVER DREAMS: TEACH
Click the link below to learn more about eligibility requirements and the application process for this amazing opportunity!
Program Overview
Now more than ever, our students need qualified teachers who can help them overcome challenging school environments and achieve academic and personal success. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs graduate more minority teachers than any other source. TMCF has designed the Teacher Quality and Retention Program (TQRP) to help these teachers enhance the learning experience of students.
TQRP provides one-week and two-week summer institutes designed to give education majors experience in the application of educational theories and practices. This training will equip future teachers with the skills they need to successfully enter high-need schools in urban and rural communities. Selected STEM majors will take part in a one-week or two-week fellowship designed to expose those considering a career in education to the latest theories and practices associated with exemplary science and mathematics instruction. Program fellows will attend one of four institutes being held at a TMCF member-school.
Program Facts
- According to the U.S. Department of Education, more than 35 percent of public school students are African American or Hispanic, but less than 15 percent of teachers are Black or Latino; while less than 2 percent of our nation’s teachers are African American males.
- The Business Higher Education Forum (BHEF) notes that by 2015, the United States will have a shortage of 283,000 highly qualified mathematics and science teachers.
- Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), through its Teacher Quality and Retention Program (TQRP), is addressing the need for both African American male and science and mathematics teachers to serve in high need urban and rural schools.
- TMCF currently has 34 males in its Teacher Quality and Retention Program and 28 STEM majors.
- Males – Average GPA 3.24
- STEM – Average GPA 3.30
- In addition there are 25 new teachers in TQRP. Of those, 23 have embarked on the first phase of National Board Certification--the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards’ Take One process.
- Moreover, these highly trained new teachers have taught over 1,300 elementary, middle and high school students during the 2011-2012 school year.
- Ahead of national trends, 36% of TQRP new teachers are males and 24% teach either math or science.
Eligibility Requirements
The application process is open to all interested candidates; however, the following requirements must be met prior to full acceptance into the program:
Eligibility Requirements:
- minimum 3.0 GPA or dean’s recommendation
- faculty recommendation
- junior, senior or graduate Student (Fall 2012)
- education or STEM major
- U.S. Citizenship or national/permanent resident status
- online application
- resume
- biography
- personal essay
- telephone interview
Application Deadline: April 20, 2012
Application Process
Resume
Your resume should highlight your major achievements in clear and specific language. It should be no longer than one page. Please ensure that the following areas are addressed in your resume:
- Academic Achievement: Include name of degree(s), major(s), minor (s), cumulative GPA, and GPA in major. You should also describe any other academic achievements (thesis, honors program, academic awards, etc.).
- Work Experience/Extracurricular Activities: Include information about your recent work experience and/or involvement in extra-curricular activities. If you have served in a leadership role, describe the nature of your role and the size of the group/team you led. Please also include any specific, measurable achievements and awards (if applicable).
Biography Narrative
Applicants must write a 100-word biography that answers the following questions:
- Who am I and what makes me unique?
- Why do I want to be a teacher?
- How will my unique characteristics enable me to be an effective teacher?
Essay
Applicants must write a 500-word essay in response to the following prompt:
Identify and describe a period in your life when you had to overcome a major obstacle to achieve your goal.Your essay should address all of the following questions:
- What was the specific obstacle?
- Why did the obstacle occur?
- How did you respond to and overcome the obstacle?
- What specific actions did you take?
- What was the outcome of overcoming the obstacle? What lessons were learned?
Application Deadline: April 20, 2012
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to participate in TQRP?
The goal of TQRP is to recruit, support and retain the next generation of leaders from HBCUs to teach students in underserved urban and rural communities. All majors are welcome to apply. In addition, to meet the growing need for science and math teachers in secondary schools, STEM majors in their sophomore, junior or senior year are strongly encouraged to apply.
What time commitment is involved?
TQRP fellows must participate in an intensive summer institute, interactive online support sessions and a leadership conference in the fall. STEM majors will participate in a hands-on, interactive one-week or two-week institute. All other majors will participate in a dynamic week-long summer institute. Once fellows begin teaching, they must engage in a mentorship, which culminates in completion of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standard’s Take One process.
What are the benefits of selection as a TQRP fellow?
The TQRP process is competitive. Chosen participants will embark on a multi-year process that begins with a summer fellowship, which includes a small stipend. The TQRP process continues with professional conferences, interactive online support, mentorship and leadership training. Those selected to become TQRP fellows will become the next generation of teacher leaders.
When will I be notified about the TQRP Summer Institutes?
Notification to all applicants that have been chosen to become a Teacher Quality and Retention Program Fellow will occur on or before May 16, 2012.
2012 Institutes
STEM Institute – June 3-16, 2012
Tennessee State University
STEM/ New Teacher Institute – June 17-23, 2012
Texas Southern University
STEM Institute – July 8-21,2012
Virginia State University
Male Teacher Institute- June 24 - 30, 2012
Prairie View A&M University
Contact
| Additional Program Information: | Wanetta Jones-Allen (212)-573-8872 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it |
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