Application
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. Students must apply for Teaching Fellows during their final year of high school.
For Applicants:
Check back in the fall to learn about the 2022 application.
In order for your application to be considered complete, you must answer all mandatory questions on the online application by 11:59 PM on December 1, 2021, and a high school transcript with class rank included, and two references must be submitted through the Kaleidoscope system before 11:59 PM on December 3, 2021. You also have the option to submit ACT/SAT scores for consideration. Scores must be received before 11:59 PM on December 3, 2021. We are aware that many colleges and universities are not requiring ACT/SAT scores this year. Therefore, we will score applications using either class rank or a test score, whichever results in the greatest number of points. If you have ACT and/or SAT scores, we encourage you to submit this information.
SAT and/or ACT scores can be submitted to CERRA in one of two ways.
1) You may request that an official score report be sent to CERRA directly from the ACT and/or SAT test administrators by providing CERRA’s organization code. The ACT code is 3873, and the SAT code is 3680.
2) If they have access to the scores, your school counselor can upload a copy of your ACT/SAT scores when uploading your transcript.
You will enter your school counselor’s name and contact information as a part of the online application. Kaleidoscope will contact your school counselor and ask them to submit your transcript.
You will also enter the names and contact information for two references. These individuals will be asked to complete a reference survey. One reference survey must be completed by a current teacher. The other survey can be completed by any individual who is not a family member. Your second reference can be a current teacher. References should have knowledge of your specific behavioral traits related to work ethic, responsibility, and interpersonal relationships. If you are home schooled, both references must be from adults who are not family members. Kaleidoscope will contact your references and ask them to complete the survey.
We strongly encourage you to alert your counselor and your references to the fact that you have applied and that they should receive an email from cerra@mykaleidoscope.com. They may need to search their spam or clutter folder for this email.
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 (if applicable), and references 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.
If you have questions about the Teaching Fellows Program, please contact CERRA by phone at 803.323.4032 ext. 6416 or by email at teachingfellows@cerra.org.
Before you begin the application, we strongly encourage you to watch the 2021 Teaching Fellows Application Overview Video. You also should review the eligibility criteria and important dates listed below. The link to apply is posted below these resources.
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
Check back in the fall for the 2022 application deadlines.
- October 1, 2021 - The application window opens.
- December 1, 2021 - The application window closes.
- December 3, 2021 - Deadline to submit supplemental materials (high school transcript with class rank included, test scores (if applicable), and two references) through the Kaleidoscope system.
- December 2021 - The Teaching Fellows Initial Scoring Committee will score all complete applications.
- No Later Than January 10, 2022 - 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 26, 2022 - 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 2022.
Teaching Fellows Overview
Start Your Application
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
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.
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Interview Day Tips
Here are some tips to help you prepare for the interview and presentation:
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Teaching Fellows Institutions
The Teaching Fellows program is available at the following institutions:
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!
- 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
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!
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
Class of 2018 Cohort
Fifth Grade Teacher / 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
Class of 2016 Cohort
Social Studies & Science Teacher / Blythewood Middle School
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