We are committed to providing structured, cohort-based professional development opportunities to the alumni community in the form of three distinct fellowship programs designed to encourage and support alumni leaders in the Twin Cities region.
Inspire Teacher Leader Fellowship
This 2-year fellowship program is designed to develop effective culturally responsive teachers who are able to identify and interrupt inequitable educational practices at the self, group and system level and deliver on transformational outcomes for students.
The program consists of eight 6-week sessions in addition to a 9-week culminating action project over the course of two years. During each session, fellows will engage in whole group instruction, asynchronous reading and reflection, and a community of practice exercise that will allow them to apply their learning alongside their cohort. Fellows will engage in programming with a lead facilitator who brings expertise in adult coaching and culturally responsive instructional practices.
In addition to the core programming, fellows will be invited to optional community building sessions and additional professional development offered by the Teach For America Twin Cities team.
- Teacher of record
- 3-5 years teaching experience (candidates may be considered who fall outside this range)
- Demonstrated commitment to their school community, personal identity development and anti-racism
- Believes in the importance of unique cultural and racial identities and the potential of all students to attain academic excellence and pursue a choice filled life.
Interested candidates may apply for fellowship by completing an online application consisting of short answer questions detailing their reasons for applying, qualifications and commitment to engaging. Candidates must also ask a personal reference to complete a brief online form recommending their candidacy. Candidates will then participate in a virtual interview with a member of the TFA Fellowship Team in which they will have the opportunity to expand on their application, further demonstrate their qualifications and ask questions about the fellowship experience and expectations. All candidates will be notified of their application status during the last week in May. Click here to view and complete the application.
Activate School Leadership Fellowship
This 2-year fellowship program is designed to develop the capacity of emerging school leaders to lead effective and responsive teams and schools.
The program consists of 5 sessions (2 per academic year and 1 over the bridge summer.) The first year will focus on personal leadership development and building foundational knowledge in school-wide culturally responsive pedagogy and practice. The second year will focus on the adaptive and technical skills needed to lead in the context of a school community. At the culmination of each session, each fellow will generate a job-specific artifact of their learning. These artifacts will build upon each other to create a leadership portfolio with strategies, core beliefs, and tools for system impact.
During each session, fellows will engage in whole group instruction, asynchronous reading and reflection, and a community of practice exercise that will allow them to apply their learning alongside their cohort. Fellows will engage in in-person programming with a lead facilitator who brings expertise in school leadership and adult development. They will also engage with a mentor (someone with a strong tenure of experience in a job-alike role).
In addition to the core programming, fellows will be invited to optional community building sessions and additional professional development offered by the Teach For America Twin Cities team.
- April 5, 2022: Fellowship Application Opens
- April 20, 2022: Virtual Information Session 1
- April 25, 2022: Virtual Information Session 2
- May 9, 2022: Applicant Interviews Begin
- May 30, 2022: Applicant Status Communication
- Fall 2022: Fellowship Programming Begins
All potential applicants are encouraged to attend an Information Session to learn more about fellowship programming, connect with the fellowship development team and ask questions. Please complete the Information Registration Form, to let us know you will be attending.
- A career educator who has at least two years of teaching experience* and is in year 1-3 of an entry level leadership position within a school, charter network, or district
- Currently in a leadership role where they are directly impacting or creating school systems and either directly managing or leading adults.
- Believes in the importance of unique cultural and racial identities and the potential of all students to attain academic excellence and pursue a choice filled life.
- Interest in developing a culturally responsive pedagogy and honing their skills as an anti-racist leader who is able to build systems that create an equitable school experience for all students.
- Actively engaging in their own identity development work
*These years do not need to be in a licensed teaching role, but all fellows must have at least 2 years of experience in a student facing instructional role prior to applying for this fellowship.
Interested candidates may apply for fellowship by completing an online application consisting of short answer questions detailing their reasons for applying, qualifications and commitment to engaging. Candidates must also ask a personal reference to complete a brief online form recommending their candidacy. Candidates will then participate in a virtual interview with a member of the TFA Fellowship Team in which they will have the opportunity to expand on their application, further demonstrate their qualifications and ask questions about the fellowship experience and expectations. All candidates will be notified of their application status during the last week in May. Click here to view and complete the application.
Minnesota Ed Policy Fellowship
This one year fellowship program is designed to develop and nurture a diverse coalition of individuals dedicated to affecting education systems change through policy understanding and action.
The program consists of eight sessions over the course of an academic year, with the invitation to apply for micro-grant funding to complete an action project related to education policy and advocacy in year 2. Each month-long session includes a cohort session that covers content and provides time for application in a group setting. Fellows are also provided with an additional independent activity to complete and are assigned a peer fellow to reflect with. Fellows will engage in programming with a lead facilitator who brings expertise in MN state education policy, in addition to guest speakers who specialize in components of the MN legislative process.
In addition to the core programming, fellows will be invited to optional community building sessions and additional professional development offered by the Teach For America Twin Cities team.
- April 5, 2022: Fellowship Application Opens
- April 20, 2022: Virtual Information Session 1
- April 25, 2022: Virtual Information Session 2
- May 9, 2022: Applicant Interviews Begin
- May 30, 2022: Applicant Status Communication
- Fall 2022: Fellowship Programming Begins
All potential applicants are encouraged to attend an Information Session to learn more about fellowship programming, connect with the fellowship development team and ask questions. Please complete the Information Registration Form, to let us know you will be attending.
- Current or former educators with a desire to learn more about how policy shapes the education system and is excited to apply that knowledge to advocate & take action with their community.
- Open to all TFA alumni (regardless of industry or role) and any staff member with a Teach For America partner school.
- Demonstrated commitment to their personal identity development and anti-racism.
- Demonstrated commitment to and investment in their community.
- Interest in developing and honing their skills as an anti-racist leader and actively engaging in their own identity work.
Interested candidates may apply for fellowship by completing an online application consisting of short answer questions detailing their reasons for applying, qualifications and commitment to engaging. Candidates must also ask a personal reference to complete a brief online form recommending their candidacy. Candidates will then participate in a virtual interview with a member of the TFA Fellowship Team in which they will have the opportunity to expand on their application, further demonstrate their qualifications and ask questions about the fellowship experience and expectations. All candidates will be notified of their application status during the last week in May. Click here to view and complete the application.