U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings today announced the U.S. Department of Education is accepting applications for the 2009-2010 Teaching Ambassador Fellowship (TAF) program at the U.S. Department of Education. The TAF program was launched earlier this year to offer highly motivated, innovative public school teachers the opportunity to contribute their knowledge and experience to the national dialogue on public education. Applications for 2009-2010 will be accepted through March 16, 2009.

"The perspectives provided by our current 25 fellows - five working here at the Department and 20 in their home districts across the U.S. - have been invaluable," said Secretary Spellings. "I know the Department, and ultimately students and their families, will continue to benefit from the insights of these excellent teachers in working to improve education for all Americans."

The program includes two kinds of opportunities for teachers across the U.S. - Washington Fellowships and Classroom Fellowships. Washington Fellows become full-time federal employees at the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, D.C., participating in policy discussions and working alongside staff on education programs and strategies aimed at educational improvement. Classroom Fellows remain in their local schools under their regular teaching contracts, and provide their experience and perspectives to the Department through various assignments and part-time projects. Up to 20 Classroom Fellows and five Washington Fellows will be chosen.

Teaching Ambassador Fellows will be selected based upon their record of leadership, impact on student achievement and potential for contribution to the field. State certified Pre-K-12 public school teachers of all subjects who have spent at least three years in the classroom are eligible to apply. To ensure collaboration at the school and district levels, teacher applicants must have the full support of their school administration.

The current Fellows will serve through June 30, 2009. They represent 22 states and a wide-range of subject, grade level and demographic areas. All Fellows have collaborated on projects and activities to leave a lasting impact on the Department of Education. In particular, Washington Fellows have participated in conferences, presentations, briefings, projects and discussions with senior Department officials, as well as other education groups and leaders. Classroom Fellows have assisted the Department with outreach to teachers nationwide and with collecting teacher feedback on federal projects, for example.

The Department received over 1,100 applications for the 25 Fellowship positions for the 2008-2009 pilot year. The 2009-2010 Teaching Ambassador Fellows will be named by June 2009.

Applications are due by March 16, 2009. Visit http://www.ed.gov/programs/teacherfellowship/ to learn more and apply for the TAF.

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