Alumni Opportunities
Aspiring School Leaders Fellowship
Aspiring School Leaders Fellowship
Next to the teacher in the classroom, research shows that the school building leader has the most significant impact on a student’s achievement and future trajectory.
The Aspiring School Leaders Fellowship prepares a racially and professionally diverse cohort of educators to lead high-performing schools by cultivating their skills to positively influence student outcomes and educational equity, and supports them in advancing along a pathway to school leadership.
History
Since it's launch in 2014, the program has graduated more than 100 participants, with 73% of participants identify as coming from an underrepresented background (BIPOC, low-income background, and/or first in family to attend college). Previous fellows include over a dozen leaders of local public schools—including traditional district schools and public charter schools—more than 30 mid-level school leaders, and two elected school board members. Our 15 2022-2023 fellows represent 13 schools across 8 districts in St. Louis with an average of 10 years in education.
Over
100
ASLF fellows since it's launch in 2014
Approximately
100%
of fellows recommended the program to another educator
Nearly
56%
of fellows moved into the next stage of leadership after completing the program
Over
100
ASLF fellows since it's launch in 2014
Approximately
100%
of fellows recommended the program to another educator
Nearly
56%
of fellows moved into the next stage of leadership after completing the program
Program Components
The Aspiring School Leaders Fellowship is a nine-month program with more than 55 hours of programming designed to accelerate participants’ leadership development through networking with education leaders in St. Louis and monthly professional development sessions from national and local facilitators.
Program components include:
- Monthly sessions on topics relevant to aspiring school leaders like setting a school vision.
- School visits & learning from local and national education leaders.
- Two individualized career discussions throughout the year
- Optional Master’s Degree and principal certification through Saint Louis University.
- Meetings will take place monthly (exact timing TBD)
- Participants may be asked to miss up to five days of school/work to participate in PD opportunities as part of this cohort including trainings, university seminars, or school visits.
“I was better prepared for a school leadership role as a result of this program. The professional development, school visits, resume assistance, interview preparation, and connecting to local leadership was extremely helpful in securing an assistant principal role. I am also equipped with the tools to sustain a long career in the education field due to the ASLF Program.”
Ignite Fellowship
Ignite Fellowship
Ignite is a virtual, paid, part-time tutoring fellowship sponsored by Teach For America, that accelerates learning and fosters belonging with students.
Make an immediate impact by leading small group virtual learning experiences for students with the support of a veteran educator. As an Ignite Fellow, you’ll build meaningful relationships with youth, accelerate student learning, and gain skills that propel forward your own leadership.
Approximately
106%
average student growth towards students' academic goals
Nearly
90%
of St. Louis students felt like they mattered in Ignite tutoring
Exactly
90%
of St. Louis students enjoyed their sessions
Approximately
106%
average student growth towards students' academic goals
Nearly
90%
of St. Louis students felt like they mattered in Ignite tutoring
Exactly
90%
of St. Louis students enjoyed their sessions
History
St. Louis is one of 20 Ignite sites across the county. Launched in Fall 2022, the program started in two schools, KIPP Wisdom Elementary and St. Louis Language Immersion School, and has since expanded to a third, Brittany Woods Middle School, in spring 2023. To date, 50 fellows (20 in the fall and 30 in the spring) have served nearly 150 students in 3rd grade reading and 6th grade math and we intend to expand to 60 fellows a semester in the 2023-2024 school year. This translates to more than 3,600 hours of tutoring over the fall and spring semesters.
“Ignite made a huge impact on the confidence and joy that kids have. It is formative to say you're going to sit with a college tutor, someone who is not me or another adult in the building. It has built their confidence and instilled this joy and excitement to come to school.”
Program Components
- Virtual tutoring 3-5 hours per week for 10-12 weeks during school hours
- 1-3 students per fellow in groups that are consistent to deepen relationships
- A school-based trainer that delivers ongoing training and support to Ignite fellows
- Fellows receive an award of $1,200 for completion of the program and school based trainers receive a stipend of $4,000
Ideal Candidate Criteria
- Be available to work approximately 5 hours per week: ~3 hours directly with students weekly and ~2 hours learning and preparing for student session
- Be a current undergraduate or graduate student, TFA alum, or renewing Ignite Fellow
- Fellows must be authorized to work in the U.S. and at least 18 years of age
- Undergraduate GPA must be at least a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (or a cumulative 3.0 high school GPA if the candidate is a first year undergraduate without a college GPA upon applying)
Application Process
Applications for the Fall Cohort are now closed.
Instructional Excellence Fellowship
Instructional Excellence Fellowship
Through IEF, TFA St. Louis prepares participants to lead high-performing classrooms and supports them to build their networks to increase their impact.
Research shows that the classroom teacher is the single most significant factor in driving student academic growth and learning. But many teachers feel that after their first few years in the classroom they don’t have as many opportunities to grow their skill and education network.
The Instructional Excellence Fellowship (IEF) is an 8 month program with 45+ hours of programming, designed to accelerate participants’ teaching skills and build their network of experienced, equity-focused educators, leading to stronger student outcomes and tenure in the classroom. We pride ourselves knowing that we continue to uplift our underrepresented educators - 65% of fellows identify as BIPOC, coming from a low-income background, and/or are first in family to attend college.
Over
30
teachers supported across the St. Louis region
Exactly
100%
of fellows would recommend IEF to others
Approx.
100%
of fellows are still working in education
Over
30
teachers supported across the St. Louis region
Exactly
100%
of fellows would recommend IEF to others
Approx.
100%
of fellows are still working in education
“This program has helped me to gather resources and gain perspectives from other teachers on topics across the region. The best impact was being able to use what I learned in the session the very next day in class”
Program Components
- Monthly sessions aligned to the TNTP core teaching rubric
- Content-specific PLC break out sessions
- Visits to local schools (*fellows' may be asked to miss up to 2 days of school/work to participate)
- Participants receive a $1,000 stipend for completing the program and an additional $500 teacher retention bonus for committing to teaching the following school year
Ideal Candidate Criteria
- Equity-focused teachers
- 3+ years of teaching experience
- Committed to growing their skillset and professional network
- Have the support of their principal or manager to participate in this fellowship
Application Process
Click here to learn more and apply to be a 2023-2024 fellow. You can also use this link to nominate someone for the program. The priority application deadline for the 2023-2024 cohort is June 15, 2023.