Eastern Michigan University, University of Michigan offer fellowship for those interested in teaching science, math, engineering or technology
A $30,000 stipend is being offered as part of a new effort to recruit more teachers in science, technology, engineering and math to help pay for studies at Eastern Michigan University or the University of Michigan.
The program, The W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s Woodrow Wilson Michigan Teaching Fellowship, is accepting applications until Jan. 12.
The effort is collaboration between six Michigan universities, including Eastern and U-M, in an effort to get more STEM teachers into high-needs K-12 school systems. The upcoming year will be the first year the fellowships are offered.
The program offers people who already have a bachelor’s degree in one of the STEM areas a $30,000 stipend, a one-year master's degree and three years of on-job mentorship. Those receiving the fellowship agree to teach in certain Michigan school districts, including Detroit.
“We’re trying to get people who already have the content background and want to give back into the classroom,” said Charles Dershimer, the U-M director of the fellowships. “We’re really looking for career changers who have decided they want to give back.”
Because those getting the fellowship already understand math, science, engineering or science, the year of learning really focuses in on teaching skills, Dershimer said.
Tappan Middle School math teacher Rick Weiler instructs his seventh-grade class in this file photo.
File photo
“It’s one thing to know the content. It’s another thing to teach it to someone else,” he said.
The process is spelled out in a letter sent to those interested in the program.
It says the clinical program includes a variety of experiences with students and teachers in middle schools and high schools in Battle Creek and Detroit. The clinical program starts in the summer, when participants work with small groups of students in "summer camp" settings on the U-M campus. In the fall, they participate in "clinical rotations" with visits to different schools and classrooms.
In winter and spring terms, they participate in an "educative mentoring program" where they work with a mentor teacher in his or her classroom for focused observations and what is traditionally called student teaching.
The program is looking to select 120 fellows a year — 20 at each of the six participating universities.
David Jesse covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at davidjesse@annarbor.com or at 734-623-2534.
Comments
Basic Bob
Sun, Jan 2, 2011 : 12:44 p.m.
@Jonny, this is an attractive offer, but it is not free money. First off, you have to pay tuition and live on the $30k stipend, which is difficult if you are already in a career and have a family. Second, you have to agree to work in Detroit, Flint, Benton Harbor, etc. It's not like the little prodigies at Burns Park or King school, it's significantly more challenging. Anyone that completes this program has earned the benefit they get from it.
snapshot
Sun, Jan 2, 2011 : 9:18 a.m.
Sounds like a great program. Hopefully there is a contractual commitment for a specific time period dedicated to teaching after receiving the fellowship. One that stipulates a payback of funds if the fellow fails to fulfill the required teaching period for any reason.
AnnD
Sun, Jan 2, 2011 : 8:21 a.m.
I am one of those who left a lucrative career to teach science. I have a 3.8 GPA with a degree in science and was not able to get hired in the public school system. It's time that school administrators hire those with excellent credentials and life experiences to teach our youth instead of hiring their relatives and children first.
Jonny Spirit
Sat, Jan 1, 2011 : 3:18 p.m.
OK here is your chance to all you people that think teaching is easy. Here you go, go for it. $30,000 cash, come and get it.
Silly Sally
Sat, Jan 1, 2011 : 10:29 a.m.
"...offer fellowship..." What type of grammar is this? Shouldn't it be "...offer a fellowship..." or "...offer fellowships..." instead of the current headline? Why not mention the other 4 Michigan universities? This is a good idea. Perhaps it should be extended to University of Michigan professors who also know their subject but cannot teach it to undergrads to save their life.
bs
Sat, Jan 1, 2011 : 10:22 a.m.
15crown00... I'm sorry, could you elaborate a bit on that. I'm having a difficult time determining how that comment relates to an article about education. Are you suggesting that the way to lead more individuals with content knowledge into teaching is to offer them a fellowship in parenting? Do the local universities offer degrees in parenting? Thanks for any help you might be able to provide in further understanding your remark.
15crown00
Sat, Jan 1, 2011 : 9:58 a.m.
HOW about a fellowship in how to be a parent?