Application

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The SC Teaching Fellows application is hosted by Kaleidoscope and serves as the first step in the rigorous identification process for Teaching Fellows. The application submission window is open from October 1st until December 1st. Test scores, transcripts, and reference surveys must be submitted by December 7th. Students must apply for Teaching Fellows during their final year of high school.

Teaching Fellows Application One-Pager
Once you begin the application process, you will have access to a personalized Kaleidoscope dashboard. It is your responsibility to monitor this dashboard and ensure your application, transcript, test scores, and reference surveys are submitted by the deadlines. Incomplete applications will not be scored.
 
If you have questions or issues with the online application, please contact Kaleidoscope by phone at 800-278-8762 or by email at cerra@mykaleidoscope.com or help@mykaleidoscope.com.

Eligibility

To apply for Teaching Fellows, you must be:
  • a U.S. citizen or will be an eligible non-citizen under State Residency Statutes at the time of high school graduation (Please note - students categorized as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) are not eligible for Teaching Fellows.)
  • a legal resident of South Carolina (Please note - Residency will be verified by the Teaching Fellows Institution after a student has been offered an award.)
  • a high school senior or junior graduating early

Important Dates

  • October 1, 2022 - The application window opens.
  • December 1, 2022 - The application window closes.
  • December 7, 2022 - Deadline to submit supplemental materials (high school transcript with class rank included, test scores, and two reference surveys) through the Kaleidoscope system.
  • December 2022 - The Teaching Fellows Initial Scoring Committee will score all complete applications.
  • No Later Than January 9, 2023 - Letters are mailed to all applicants; up to 500 students will be invited to participate in the second stage of the application process, the interview.
  • February 25, 2023 - Regional interviews will be conducted with a selected group of applicants. Additional information will be provided to students who are selected to advance to this stage of the identification process. 
  • The final number of students awarded a Teaching Fellowship is dependent upon the Program budget, which is set by the General Assembly. Award notifications will be made in early spring 2023.

Start Your Application

APPLY FOR THE SC TEACHING FELLOWS PROGRAM

Teaching Fellows Institutions

The Teaching Fellows program is available at the following institutions:
  • Anderson University
  • Charleston Southern University
  • Clemson University
  • Coastal Carolina University
  • College of Charleston
  • Francis Marion University
  • Lander University
  • USC-Aiken
  • USC Columbia
  • USC Upstate
  • Winthrop University ​
Visit the Teaching Fellows Institutions page for more information about each individual program.

​While not a requirement for Teaching Fellows, our partner, TEACH South Carolina (TeachSC), is a program that provides free support to anyone who’s thinking about becoming a teacher. When you sign up, you get perks like one-on-one coaching, up to $100 back in fee reimbursements towards expenses related to applying to your preparation program (including testing and fingerprints), and a chance to win a regional $1,000 scholarship!
 
To get your application fee paid back, you just have to create a TeachSC account here before you apply to a college or university. Once you have subscribed to TeachSC and applied to your selected school(s), you can submit your application fee reimbursement and apply for the TEACH South Carolina scholarship!

Regional Screening - "Interview Day"

Qualifying applicants are invited to a regional screening and all applicants are notified as to whether they have been selected for this second phase of the identification process. The regional screening includes an interview, a presentation, and an assessment of writing ability. The purpose of the interview and presentation is to assess the following: communication skills, commitment to education, knowledge of educational issues, leadership potential, originality in responses, and problem-solving ability.
 
Interview
A diverse team of professionals from the business and education communities conduct interviews with Teaching Fellows applicants. The interview questions are pre-determined by CERRA and are not shared with applicants. Students who have been invited to participate in a regional screening should refer to their “Student Packet” for more information about the interview.
 
Presentation
Applicants who have been invited to participate in a regional screening will prepare and share an oral presentation on a topic determined by CERRA. These students should refer to their “Student Packet” for more information about the presentation.
 
Writing Assessment of Writing Ability
Applicants who have been invited to participate in a regional screening also will be scheduled to complete a 30 minute assessment of writing ability. Students who have been invited to participate in a regional screening should refer to their “Student Packet” for more information about the assessment of writing ability.
 
Scoring
Scores from the interview, presentation, and assessment of writing ability will be combined with the initial application score to create a total cumulative score. Up to 215 of the top scorers will be offered Teaching Fellowships. Other qualifying applicants will be placed on an alternate list.
Interview Day Tips
Here are some tips to help you prepare for the interview and presentation:
  • Review the information provided in the “Student Packet.”
  • Watch the informational videos about interview day.
  • Ask a professional what you should wear.
  • Research current educational issues.
  • Practice answering education-related questions.
  • Prepare a presentation that addresses all identified topics and/or questions within the allotted time. Please note that the interviewers will NOT ask questions during the presentation and will not offer any additional time. 
  • Review the rubric for the written response.
  • Get a good night of rest before the interview.
  • Plan to arrive early in case you run into traffic. It is important that you arrive on time.

Questions?

E-mail teachingfellows@cerra.org or call Katie Gibson at 803-323-4032 ext. 6416.

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  • “In the teaching profession, experience is one of the most valuable assets you have. The Teaching Fellows program not only equips you with ample opportunities to have hands-on experiences in the classroom, but also empowers you to be a champion of progress in the educational system. Teaching Fellows gives you access to a vault of knowledge and support from successful educators, mentors, and community that wants you to succeed. As a Teaching Fellow, you become more than a teacher; you become a teacher leader.”

Graceanna McCray
Class of 2018 Cohort

Fifth Grade Teacher
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Calhoun Academy of the Arts - Anderson Five

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Being a Columbia College Teaching Fellow has given me the experience, tools and confidence that I needed to become an effective leader in the classroom.The size of our Columbia College cohort makes it ideal to establish meaningful bonds among our full Teaching Fellows Cohort. Being a Teaching Fellow allowed me to participate in travel, leadership and recreational experiences that have helped to shape me into the educational leader that I am today.

Kirsten Baker
Class of 2016 Cohort

Social Studies & Science Teacher
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Blythewood Middle School

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