Becoming a Teaching Fellow
Applicants are screened and interviewed by the AATF Selection & Retention Committee. They examine a number of criteria, including GPA's, a writing sample, extracurricular activities, references and an interview. See Recipient Requirements.
Features of the AATF Program
Financial Support: Fulltime students receive support up to $2,500 a semester and part-time students' support is set at $1,500 a semester, for a total of $15,000 over a maximum period of three years. This supports tuition, text books and fees for licensure tests, with payments made to the educational institution. Each Fellow is required to seek other financial aid to avoid high loan debts after graduation.
Academic Oversight: The Selection & Retention Committee oversees the progress of AATF Fellows. We require that Fellows develop a Plan of Work with their academic advisors that lays out their complete educational program until graduation and licensure. They must maintain a 3.0 GPA in education courses and meet with their advisors regularly to assure that they are on course to graduate and complete the licensure process.
Mentoring & Group Support: An AATF Mentoring Committee is developing an effective support system that will include matching mentors with AATF Fellows while they are completing the requirements for licensure and requiring attendance at quarterly meetings that focus on professional development of participants.
AATF Fellowship Process
Application deadlines:
Postmarked July 31st, for Fall Semester
Postmarked October 30th, for Spring Semester.
Download:
- AATF Application Form (PDF, 77K)
- Alternative link: AATF Application Form (text)
Screening and Selection Process
All applications for the Teaching Fellows awards are screened by members of the Selection & Retention Committee. Those applicants who satisfactorily meet the qualifications will be interviewed by the committee composed of educators. The applicants will be evaluated on their application material and the quality of their interviews.
Award Announcements
Award winners will be informed of the AATF Selection & Retention Committee’s decision by August for the Fall and December 15th for the Spring semesters.
Recipient Requirements
Each AATF Award recipient MUST:
- Sign a Promissory Note & Scholarship Loan Agreement that commits them to teach one year in the Charlottesville or Albemarle County schools for each year they receive AATF funds, for a maximum of three (3) years
- Maintain a 2.5 cumulative grade point in all of their subjects and a 3.0 grade in their required education or major-area courses
- Update the Plan of Work, signed by their advisor, that shows that their academic progress is on-schedule
- Participate in designated AATF activities
- Meet with members of the Selection & Retention Committee each semester and show evidence that she/he is meeting AATF’s standards for retention in the program.
