ROC Urban Teaching Fellows Program

The 15-month residency program includes a full academic year in a Rochester school, co-teaching four days per week with an experienced mentor teacher 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.

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.

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.

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

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. Certification is for adolescence education (Grades 7-12).

School-based mentors are highly trained to meet residents’ professional developmental needs. Residents learn by co-teaching alongside mentors for an entire school year. Mentors provide models of good practice, contextual guidance, opportunities to enact innovative pedagogies and reflect on learning.