Application

The Teaching Fellows Application for 2016-17 is closed. Please check back in September 2017 for the launch of our next application window.
Eligibility
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To apply for Teaching Fellows, you must be:
  • a United States citizen or permanent resident alien legally authorized to be in the United States (Please note - students categorized as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) are not eligible for Teaching Fellows)
  • a legal resident of South Carolina
  • a high school senior or junior graduating early

Teaching Fellows Links

Teaching Fellows Overview
Teaching Fellows Application
Teaching Fellows Institutions
Teaching Fellows Data
Teaching Fellows Orientation
Teaching Fellows Forms
Teaching Fellows FAQ
Teaching Fellows News

Teaching Fellows News

Steps to Apply for Teaching Fellows

STEP 1: Study the Application
​Download a PDF copy of the application to study before completing it online. All applications must be completed online.
Step 2: Complete the Application
​Click the link below and complete your application online. Incomplete applications will not be scored.
Step 3: Complete three References
​Download the reference form below and print three copies. Applicant is solely responsible for returning all three sealed references. One reference form must be completed by a current teacher, one must be completed by a current or former high school teacher/coach, and one must be completed by another individual who is not an immediate family member. References should have knowledge of the applicant’s specific behavioral traits related to work ethic, responsibility, and intrapersonal relationships. If home schooled, all three references must be from adults who are not immediate family members. Only references on the official form will be considered. Additional letters of reference will be removed from the file.

Please instruct your references to seal the completed form in an envelope, sign their name across the seal, and return the sealed envelope to you. Place your three completed, sealed references in one envelope and mail them to:

CERRA
Attention: Teaching Fellows Program
Stewart House at Winthrop University
525 Eden Terrace
Rock Hill, SC 29733
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  • All documents must arrive at CERRA by 5:00 pm on December 8, 2017.
  • CERRA is not responsible for misguided or misdirected mail.
Step 4: Guidance COunselor form
You are also responsible for printing the letter for your Guidance Counselor, filling in the necessary information, and bringing the letter to him/her so that he/she may send an official transcript to CERRA on your behalf. Follow up with your Guidance Counselor to ensure that an official transcript is sent to CERRA. If your SAT and/or ACT scores are NOT included on the transcript sent to CERRA, have an official score report sent to CERRA. The SAT code is 3680 and the ACT code is 3873. Please note: In the event that you receive an updated SAT and/or ACT score after your guidance counselor has mailed your transcript and test scores, and you would like the new score added to your application, you would need to have an official score report sent to CERRA.  In order for test scores to affect the first round of scoring (determining who is invited to a regional interview), CERRA must receive the score report by 5:00 pm on December 8, 2017. Only score reports sent to CERRA between September 1, 2017 and December 8, 2017 will be accepted for this phase of the identification process.

Transcripts should be mailed to:

​CERRA
Attn: Teaching Fellows Program
Stewart House at Winthrop University
525 Eden Terrace
Rock Hill, SC 29733
  • All documents must arrive at CERRA by 5:00 pm on December 8, 2017.
  • CERRA is not responsible for misguided or misdirected mail.
Step 5: Mail References & Transcripts
​Mail all completed references and transcripts to:

CERRA
Attention: Teaching Fellows Program
Stewart House at Winthrop University
525 Eden Terrace
Rock Hill, SC 29733

CERRA is not responsible for misguided or misdirected mail.

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

Important Dates

  • December 1, 2017 - Application deadline
  • December 8, 2017 - Document deadline
    All documents (references, transcripts, and if necessary, official score reports) must arrive at CERRA by 5:00 pm.
  • December 2017 - Applications scored
  • No Later Than January 12, 2018 - Letters mailed to all applicants; up to 500 students will be invited to participate in the second stage of the application process, the interview
  • February 17, 2018 - Interview Day at five locations across the state
  • The final number of students awarded a Teaching Fellowship is dependent upon the South CarolinaFY2019 budget, which is set by the General Assembly. Award notifications will be made in early spring 2018.

Interview Day

Qualifying applicants are invited to a regional interview, and all applicants are notified as to whether they have been selected for this second phase of the process.The purpose of the interview is to assess the following: communication skills, commitment to education, knowledge of educational issues, leadership potential, originality in responses, and problem-solving ability.
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Writing
Applicants will be scheduled to complete a thirty (30) minute writing prompt during the interview.

Scoring
Scores from the interview and writing prompt will be combined with the initial application score to make up a final total composite score. Up to 200 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 answers all required questions within the allotted time. Please note that the interviewers will NOT ask questions during the presentation. The interview team will expect candidates to cover all three questions in their presentation.
  • 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.

Download a PowerPoint with tips on interviewing.

Teaching Fellows Institutions

The Teaching Fellows program is available at the following institutions:
**Newberry College is no longer accepting new students into 
their Teaching Fellows Program.
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Visit the Teaching Fellows Institutions page for more info.

Why Should You Apply?