Milwaukee Teaching Fellows make a difference immediately.  Teaching Fellows earn their certification as they are teaching with a full-time salary and benefits in Milwaukee schools with the highest need.

 Rather than completing a traditional teacher education program prior to entering the classroom, Fellows first engage in an intensive summer training program that is specifically designed for Milwaukee Teaching Fellows and is free of cost, before then completing additional academic licensure (also known as certification) requirements at a university while teaching full-time. This allows Fellows to become fully-licensed teachers in the state of Wisconsin while teaching and earning a full salary and benefits.

The Milwaukee Teaching Fellows has partnered with a highly respected university in Milwaukee - Cardinal Stritch University.  Fellows typically attend certification courses two nights a week as they are teaching full-time during the day.  The coursework is designed to enable Fellows to incorporate educational theory and best practices into their MPS classrooms.  Cardinal Stritch provides an optional Master’s degree program should Fellows decide to continue their education beyond the required certification coursework. Fellows attending Cardinal Stritch University will have six semesters of coursework to complete within two years (this includes two summer semesters in 2011 and 2012).  Teaching Fellows may decide to complete only the certification portion of their coursework, in which case, Fellows would not complete the final Master’s credits.   

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Fellows begin teaching with a Permit License while attending Cardinal Stritch University (CSU). In order for Fellows to receive this Permit License, they will need to enroll in CSU’s approved alternative licensing program, prove that they have passed the Praxis I and Praxis II exams, meet all coursework eligibility requirements, and complete additional enrollment processing steps (such as securing fingerprinting clearance and submitting official transcripts). While teaching full-time, Fellows will complete licensing coursework and requirements, meeting performance based standards. Assuming Fellows meet all requirements, they will be eligible to apply for their Initial Educator License upon completion of the two year CSU program. Fellows will enroll in their university program during the summer training Institute.

While the Teaching Fellows program helps Fellows connect the pieces to earn their teaching license, it is the Fellow’s responsibility to meet licensure program requirements. All Fellows formally commit to working towards and completing their licensing requirements when accepting their offer to join the Teaching Fellows program.  Note that all licensing courses and requirements are determined and managed by Milwaukee Public Schools, the state of Wisconsin, and/or Cardinal Stritch University – NOT the Teaching Fellows program.

The cost for certification and a master’s degree for Fellows in the 2009-2010 school year was approximately $600 per credit hour.  The total cost for 36 credits over the course of two years is approximately $21,600. 

First year Teaching Fellows may be eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award after successfully completing their first year of teaching.  The award, which is valid for seven years after issuance, may be used to pay for certification or future education costs, including the repayment of eligible student loans. More detailed information on enrollment in the Teaching Fellows AmeriCorps Education Awards Program and details on licensure costs will be provided to Fellows upon enrollment in the program and during summer Institute.

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