Applications for the 2012-2013 Teaching Ambassador Fellowship have now closed. The following information is provided for informational purposes only. Once the 2013-2014 application is released, this information will be updated to reflect the current competition. If you are interested in applying for the 2013-2014 Fellowship, email us at teacherfellowship@ed.gov with the subject line “notify me” and we will inform you when the 2013-2014 Application is released.

Please read the Eligibility, Program Overview, Frequently Asked Questions and Application Instructions carefully before you complete this application. Please note that only currently practicing Preschool-12th grade teachers and instructional coaches/specialists with at least five years of experience are eligible to apply for this program (if the 2011-2012 school year is your fifth year teaching, you are eligible).

Applications for the 2012-2013 Teaching Ambassador Fellowship will be accepted through February 22, 2012. All applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on February 22, 2012. No materials will be accepted after the submission date.

Candidates for the Teaching Ambassador Fellowship must complete the vacancy posted through USA Jobs. Up to 18 Teaching Ambassador Fellows will be selected for 2012-2013—up to 10 Classroom Fellows, up to 5 Washington Fellows, and up to 3 Regional Fellows.

The position provides outstanding school teachers who have a record of leadership, strong communication skills, and insight from their classroom experiences, a paid opportunity to expand their knowledge of policy and contribute to the national dialogue about education.

As the final team of selected Fellows should represent the diversity of our student body and settings in which students receive instruction across the country, the Department encourages teachers of students from all age levels, subject areas, grade spans, and types of communities to consider applying, including those teaching students from high poverty backgrounds, those with disabilities, or English-language learners. The program is open to teachers in traditional public, charter, virtual, military, tribal, and private schools and early childhood programs in urban, suburban, or rural settings across the United States.

All applicants must submit three application components:

A Resume – This is the Official Federal Resume that is required for application through USAJobs. It will be used to verify the applicant’s experience and background.

Narrative Responses - These are six short written responses (no more than 500 words or 3500 characters) describing specific contributions to student learning, leadership experience, communication skills and networks, policy interests and expertise, applicable training and development experiences, and school/community support.

Two Letters of Recommendation – One letter must come from a teacher or leadership development program or activity regarding your capacity for this work. Applicants must demonstrate involvement with professional training experiences that have prepared them for work with the Department through frequent speaking and writing about teaching, education systems, and/or policy. For previous Fellows, these have included master’s or PhD programs in public policy or education leadership; school, district, state or union led teacher leadership development programs; participation in activities requiring intensive reflection such as for the Teacher of the Year program or National Board for Professional Teaching Standards assessments; and/or other professional training programs. Teacher applicants must discuss this experience in a related narrative question and attach a letter of recommendation from organization or individual who can speak to the experience. Please note that this can include a range of possible experiences and this is not an exhaustive list. For more examples, you may want to view biographical information for the 2008 through 2011 Fellows at http://www2.ed.gov/programs/teacherfellowship/awards.html.

Additionally, applicants must provide a letter of recommendation demonstrating support from school, district, or early childhood program administrators for the applicant’s participation in the program and the required Intergovernmental Personnel Agreement (IPA). Please note that school leaders do not need to guarantee IPA approval in this letter or submit any paperwork at this point of application. The letter should simply acknowledge a willingness to pursue the IPA in order to foster collaboration at the school level and ensure open communication about the program between participating teachers and school leaders. Teacher applicants complete a related narrative question and attach a letter demonstrating administrator support, as outlined in the instructions of the vacancy postings below.

Teaching Ambassador Fellows are hired for the year under the Intergovernmental Personnel Act mobility program. 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.

For the Washington and Regional Fellowship programs, the IPA is completed with the selected teacher’s employers to clarify that the Department will pay the salary of the Fellow for the year, but that the teacher is guaranteed their position with the school or district the following the year. The Department requests that the employers agree to maintain the teacher’s benefits, potentially with reimbursement from ED, in order to minimize disruption to the teacher.

For the Classroom Fellowship program, the IPA is completed with the selected teacher’s employers to clarify that the teacher is being hired for work in addition to their current position for the year. The Department requests that the employers agree to provide unpaid leave for the Fellow to participate in the program ranging from minimal hours for travel (approximately 10 days during the year) and up to 50% of the Fellow’s time to create a hybrid position. The amount requested does not need to be determined until the point of selection and would be initially up to the Fellow and their primary employer to determine. The specific hour amounts will be dependent on final funding. All travel, except an orientation during the summer, is subject to the availability of the Fellow given their school duties and responsibilities.

To begin the application, select the vacancy posting link. Be sure to carefully follow all directions and steps included within the Vacancy Posting. For step-by-step instructions, please print and read the Application Instructions.

Teaching Ambassador Washington Fellowship Vacancy Posting http://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/307580500

Teaching Ambassador Classroom Fellowship Vacancy Posting http://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/307551900 

Teaching Ambassador Regional Fellowship Vacancy Posting http://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/307575500

NOTE: If you wish to be considered for more than one of these positions, you must complete the vacancy posting for each position.

Once the closing date has passed, your application will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. Due to the anticipated volume of applications, program staff will not be able to respond to individual inquiries about your application status.