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ROC Urban Teaching Fellows Program 

A paid teacher residency program designed to prepare teachers for a career in the Rochester City School District. There are only ten openings for 2023-2024.

All of this plus an additional guaranteed 50% off tuition scholarship for every Master's in Teaching student.

How to apply

Step 1

The first step to applying is to apply to one of our Master's in Teaching with Initial Certification programs.

Step 2

Once you’ve completed the application for your master's you can complete your application for the ROC Urban Teaching Fellows Program.

Join a highly competitive cohort of teacher candidates!

Program overview

Residency year schedule 

The 15-month residency program includes a full academic year in a Rochester school, co-teaching four days per week with a mentor and serving one day per week as a building substitute. Residents enter as a cohort and begin courses the first summer of enrollment, continuing throughout the school year, and concluding the following summer.

Post-graduation commitment

Residents will have the opportunity for employment in the Rochester City School District upon program completion. Residents make a two-year commitment to teach in the district with continuous mentorship as a beginning teacher.

Financial support

All residents receive at least $10,000 of tuition assistance, and a salary of $43,000 plus health and dental benefits from the Rochester City School District. Additional scholarships are available for master's of teaching students.

Teacher certification

Upon completion of the residency year, graduates receive their New York State initial teaching certification as specialists in Secondary Education or Teaching Students with Disabilities for adolescence education (Grades 7-12).

Innovative curriculum 

The culturally responsive curriculum prepares reflective teachers through master’s coursework and professional learning experiences focused on successful teacher development, co-teaching, and onsite mentorships.

Mentors

Residents learn by co-teaching alongside highly trained mentors for an entire school year. Mentors provide models of good practice, contextual guidance, opportunities to enact innovative pedagogies and reflect on learning. 

Frequently asked questions

What do participants think?

Jane Pritchard
Secondary ELA + teaching students with disabilities; placed with Margaret Donlon at East HS

In this fellowship, I’m not “playing school,” or a guest in my mentor’s classroom; I’m not simply copying my mentor’s approaches without understanding the process. I’m allowed space in a co-teaching partnership to test out ideas that I’ve developed at the Warner School. And while the learning curve is steep, I absolutely believe that, not only am I better teacher as a result, but also I’m building a deep understanding of what teaching consists of more holistically.

Katelyn Webb
Secondary science + teaching students with disabilities; placed with Tiarra Worthington at East HS

It’s powerful to be able to start and end the year with scholars; to be able to build relationships with them for that length of time. As a co-teacher, I feel as though I contribute to the classroom culture by helping to maintain a calm, productive learning environment, and by bringing new, engaging ideas and engineering practices into that environment.

Student doing classwork while teacher helps another student in the background

Master's in Teaching with Initial Certification

The Master's in Teaching degree will prepare you to stand out as an innovative teacher.

You'll find curricula informed by research and best practices and supportive and passionate faculty of researchers and accomplished practitioners. You'll learn to be a culturally-responsive teacher who builds community with students and families to foster engagement and well-being. You'll become an educator of all students.

All Master's in Teaching students are eligible for a 50% off tuition scholarship.

Colorful photo of Rochester skyline

Commitment to the Rochester City School District

The ROC Urban Teaching Fellows Program was founded on the principles of educational equity and social justice so residents learn how to serve all Rochester students and families.

Our program aims to prepare educators to alleviate the teacher shortage and create a more diverse workforce. Graduates make a minimum two-year commitment to teach in the Rochester City School District after their residency year, which will immediately support students’ learning opportunities.

Program Director

Kevin Meuwissen

Associate Professor (Clinical) & Chair

Contact

For more information about admissions requirements, academic programs, financial aid, or any other non-ROC Urban Teaching Fellowship questions please contact admissions at admissions@warner.rochester.edu or (585) 275-3950 or use our inquiry form.

For more information about the ROC Urban Teaching Fellowship please contact Kevin Meuwissen

This program is a partnership between Nazareth College School of Education, University of Rochester Warner School and the Rochester City School District.

This program is partially funded by the Max and Marian Farash Charitable Foundation.