Pre-service training is one of the most exciting--and demanding--elements of the DCTF program. No one can ever truly be prepared for teaching, but our free teacher training strives to give you the basic tools and skills necessary to begin teaching in the fall. During the pre-service training or "Summer Institute", you will meet other Fellows, DCTF staff, practicing teachers, and current DCPS students.

Fellows must attend training five days a week from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily from late June, 2008 through early August 2008. Fellows will receive a $2500 training stipend upon completion of summer institute.  The stipend will be paid in full after successful completion of Summer Institute and after Fellows have begun teaching.  Fellows who do not complete Summer Institute in its entirety will not receive their stipend.

Training will address the interrelated components of instructional design and delivery and classroom culture and management. Fellows prepare for their classroom and students by participating in an intensive, full-time, six-week pre-service training that includes:

• Practice teaching in a classroom setting under the supervision of a DCPS teacher
  
• Seminars and professional development activities on the theories and practices of teaching
  
• Continuous on-site guidance from experienced teachers
  
• Discussions and activities around the challenges of teaching in an urban system

Some specific topics include:

• Teaching for student achievement
  
• Classroom culture and management
  
• Planning and delivering effective lessons
  
• Parental involvement

The Summer Institute training consolidates a great deal of training time into only a few weeks; thus training is extremely demanding and challenging.  Due to strict DCPS guidelines and the critical part training plays in the Teaching Fellows program, Fellows cannot miss any portion of the Summer Instiute.  Fellows will be expected to attend every session. 

Schedule:

Typical day from 2007 Institute

8:00-12:00              Practice Teaching at school site

12:00-1:00              Travel to Institute location and lunch

1:00-3:30                 Framework Session

3:45-6:00                 University coursework

Summer Institute Staff:

The success of the Summer Institute results from a collaborative effort of many people.

• Institute Director
• DCTF Staff
• Fellow Advisors
• Cooperating Teachers
• University Partners

Institute Director

The Institute Director (ID) plans the Summer Institute, and is responsible for its successful daily operations. The ID also ensures effective communication between all members of the Summer Institute community-- Fellows, FAs, Cooperating Teachers, and the University Partners. During the school year, the Institute Director is the Training & Resource Manager.

DC Teaching Fellows Staff

As during the school year, the DCTF staff actively contributes to the success of the Summer Institute by assisting in planning and Fellow/FA support.

Tara Mahensmith Williams, Site Manager
Priya Patel, Training & Resource Manager

Cortney Walker, Senior Program Associate

Fellow Advisors

Fellow Advisors (FA's) are experienced teachers and valuable contributors to Fellows’ pre-service training. Each FA works closely with 10-15 Fellows through observations in the mornings and guided curriculum sessions in the afternoons. Most importantly, FAs help to establish a culture of excellence that encourages mutual support among Fellows. Fellow Advisors are prepared for this position through training with DCTF staff.

Cooperating Teachers

Cooperating Teachers mentor two new Teaching Fellows working at one summer school site.  Cooperating Teachers perform regular observations and will give feedback on instruction, classroom management, and room environment. They also meet regularly with other Institute faculty to ensure that the new Fellows are helping students to succeed. Serving in this position is a great opportunity for experienced teachers to share their expertise with incoming novices.

University Partnerships

DCTF has partnered with American University and The George Washington University to provide Fellows with high quality training.  Professors from our University Partners conduct classes on-site during the Summer Institute for the convenience of our Fellows.

Ongoing Resources

A new teacher’s first year is particularly challenging, and Fellows should anticipate long hours and intense effort, especially during the first semester.  A Fellow’s ability to solve problems creatively and independently will also play an extremely important role in that teacher’s success as Fellows often work in high-need schools with limited resources. However, as new teachers, Fellows will have access to several sources of support and professional resources including:

• Logistical and administrative support from DC Teaching Fellows staff
  
• University coursework at the master’s level. Fellows who successfully complete scheduled university classes throughout the two year teaching commitment will earn enough credits for certification.
  
• Periodic meetings with other DC Teaching Fellows to share experiences and success stories.
  
• Regular newsletters to keep you informed of opportunities, events, teaching trends etc.
  
• Possible clustering at schools with other Fellows
  
• Math and science Fellows will also have the opportunity to participate in a workshop sponsored by Texas Instruments, offering guidance on using graphing calculators to support instruction--with free calculators for all Fellows who take part.