Eligibility information for potential candidates for the 2009-2010 Teaching Ambassador Fellowship program will be updated as soon as it is available.

For the 2008-2009 Teaching Ambassador Fellowship program, the Department accepted applications from those who were:

• Currently practicing teachers from United States K-12 public schools. Individuals who had been teaching for at least three years (include private and public schools, as long as the teacher was currently serving in a public school).

• Highly Qualified Teachers according to their States' regulations. United States citizens.

• Able to obtain a statement of support from their principal indicating that their school/district would be willing to sign an Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) agreement for their participation in the program.

• As a condition of participating in the Fellowship program, the school had to guarantee the teacher a position of like seniority, pay, etc. on the termination of this assignment, and agree that the teacher may retain benefits with the school during the period of employment with the U.S. Department of Education. The IPA mobility program provides for the temporary assignment of skilled personnel to or from state and local governments and certain other organizations to facilitate cooperation between the Federal government and the non-Federal entity and provide mutual benefits, for limited periods without loss of employee rights and benefits. Further information about the IPA program is available on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management website at http://www.opm.gov/programs/ipa/assignF.asp and http://www.opm.gov/programs/ipa/Mobility.asp.

Desirable applicants demonstrated the following attributes:

• Demonstrated meaningful impact on student achievement

• Had a record of leadership in the school and community settings

• Showed potential for continued contribution to the field of education