Overview

The San José Teaching Fellows is an Intern Pre-Intern program of the San José Unified School District. Intern programs allow an individual to teach as a full-time District employee while completing all coursework required to obtain a teaching credential. 

The San José Teaching Fellows program is specifically designed to assist young and mid-career professionals with little or no teaching experience make the transition to the classroom. San José Teaching Fellows is committed to the idea through targeted recruitment, rogorous selection, intensive training, and ongoing support, we will be able to provide the students of San José Unified School District with a new group of teachers that will work to raise levels of achievement and help prepare students to find academic success now and in the years to come.

Recruitment
San José Teaching fellows actively recruits the region's most successful professionals to teach in SJUSD classrooms to increase the number of highly qualified individuals who enter the teaching profession. SJUSD seeks to attract a broad group of candidates from across the Bay Area to build a diverse pool that meets the District's critical need areas.

Selection
San José Teaching Fellows seeks to build a diverse cohort of exceptionally talented teachers.  We are looking for committed individuals who demonstrate high achievement in their past endeavors and who possess the character and motivation necessary to be successful teachers.  We are looking for professionals who have the flexibility and initiative necessary to adapt to a new situation and who are excited by the opportunities and challenges found in teaching in San José Unified School District.

To identify the most outstanding individuals, the San José Teaching Fellows program asks candidates to submit a cover letter, résumé, and academic transcripts. If invited for an interview, candidates will be asked to deliver a sample teaching lesson in a simulated classroom setting, engage in a discussion group with other candidates about an urban education issue, participate in a personal interview, and produce a writing sample. San José Teaching Fellows will select those candidates with the greatest potential for success in the classroom.   

Detailed information related to this process will be provided upon notification of selection for an interview, and relevant materials will be distributed.

Training
Fellows who are accepted to the program will begin their training at the summer institute. Summer institute days will include observation of master-teachers, practice teaching in SJUSD summer school classrooms and participation workshops focusing on teaching strategies and practices. Fellows will work with experienced SJUSD teachers who will guide their professional development throughout this process.  

Support
After completing the summer training program, Fellows will begin teaching in a SJUSD school.  Throughout the summer institute, Fellows will be paired with SJUSD teacher-coaches who will provide guidance and feedback on curriculum development and teaching practices. School, grade level, and subject determinations will be based on the qualifications of each Fellow and the needs of the district.

Although the SJTF program does not offer will not receive monetary support in addition to SJUSD standard compensation and comprehensive benefits, participants will have access to San José Unified School District's network of ongoing support and professional development resources to help them succeed in the classroom.  These opportunities include:

• University coursework resulting in certification
• Ongoing support and guidance from SJUSD Program Facilitator
• Teacher Coaches for individualized assistance
• Opportunities for ongoing professional development with other San José Unified School District teachers
• Opportunities to collaborate with Fellows cohort in credentialing courses
• List of resources and opportunities to apply to for individual funding support