ROC Urban Teaching Fellows Program

Preparing purpose-driven, high-quality teachers to make an immediate impact in the Rochester City School District.

The ROC Urban Teaching Fellows Program is a paid teacher residency program designed to prepare teachers for a career in the Rochester City School District.

  • Earn your master's degree in teaching with initial certification
  • Earn NYS certifications in either:
    • Childhood Education (Grades 1–6) and Teaching Students with Disabilities at the Childhood Level (Grades 1–6) 
    • or Early Childhood Education (birth - Grade 2) and Teaching Students with Disabilities at the Early Childhood Level (birth - Grade 2)
  • Participate in a 15-month paid teacher residency: Earn a salary of $43,000 plus health and dental benefits
  • Co-teach with experienced mentors while completing your master’s degree
  • Receive $15,000 toward your tuition
  • Continue employment in the Rochester City School District following graduation and successful completion of the residency program

Get all this in addition to the Educational Partner Network discount, and the Teacher Opportunity Corps II benefits (for eligible applicants).

Join a highly competitive cohort of teacher candidates who are deeply committed to urban education and the Rochester community!

  • Recommended deadline: December 1. We are accepting applications through March 15 for the 2024-2025 cohort.
  • Complete both forms to be considered:

Start my Naz application

Indicate interest: Roc Urban Teaching Fellows Program

  • All ROC Urban Teaching Fellows start classes in late May (Summer A term) and finish the following August.

Program Overview

The ROC Urban Teaching Fellow's year schedule

  • 15-month residency program includes a full academic year in a Rochester school, co-teaching four days per week with an experienced mentor teacher and serving one day per week as a building substitute.
  • Graduate coursework begins the first summer you enroll, continues throughout the school year, and concludes the following summer.
  • You move through the program in a cohort for enhanced community and support.

Innovative curriculum

  • Culturally responsive curriculum
  • Build your reflective teaching skills

Teacher certification

Upon completion of the residency year, you are eligible to apply for two certifications. Either:

  • New York State initial teaching certification in Childhood Education (Grades 1–6) and Teaching Students with Disabilities at the Childhood Level (Grades 1–6)
  • New York State initial teaching certification in Early Childhood Education (birth - Grade 2) and Teaching Students with Disabilities at the Early Childhood Level (birth - Grade 2)

Affordability/Financial support

Post-graduation commitment

You commit to teach in the Rochester City School District for a minimum of two full school years following graduation, during which you will receive continuous mentorship as a beginning teacher. See more about the Rochester City School District »

Mentors

  • Your co-teacher(s) is highly trained and well supported by the Rochester City School District
  • You are matched with a co-teacher who meets your professional developmental needs
  • You'll learn models of good practice, receive guidance in context, and benefit from collaborative support and feedback.

Shaylee Picow working with young RCSD students

Naz grad education student Shaylee Picow '23G is among the first in the new urban teacher residency partnership with Naz, U of R, and RCSD that has her in the classroom teaching and earning a salary while working on her degree.

Master's in Education with Initial Teacher Certification

The Master's in Education degree will prepare you to stand out as an innovative teacher—a teacher who lives to inspire and loves to teach.

You'll find curricula informed by research and best practices and supportive and passionate faculty of researchers and accomplished practitioners. You'll learn to be a culturally-responsive teacher who builds community with students and families to foster engagement and well-being. You'll become an educator of all students.

More about Nazareth’s School of Education and its programs »

Commitment to the Rochester City School District

The ROC Urban Teaching Fellows Program was founded on principles of educational equity and social justice, with a focus on learning from day one how to serve all of Rochester’s students and families. You will become part of a community of educators with a shared commitment to excellence, equity, and social justice in the Rochester community.

Our program aims to prepare educators to alleviate the teacher shortage and create a more diverse workforce in Rochester. Graduates make a minimum two-year commitment to teach in the Rochester City School District after their residency year, which will immediately support students’ learning opportunities and outcomes.

Join our community of educators committed to excellence, equity, and social justice in the Rochester community.

Get Started Today

This is a highly competitive program, with only 10 openings for the academic year.

Start my Naz application

Indicate interest: Roc Urban Teaching Fellows Programs

Complete both forms to be considered.

Contact

For more information about the Nazareth ROC Urban Teaching Fellows Program, contact Kai Strange at kstrang7@naz.edu or 585-389-2684.

For information about admissions requirements, academic programs, financial aid, or any other non-ROC Urban Teaching Fellows Program questions, contact admissions at gradadmissions@naz.edu or 585-389-2860.

FAQs

What is the ROC Urban Teaching Fellows Program?
What is a residency?
Who is eligible?
What is the schedule?
What is my teaching schedule during the school year?
How am I matched with a mentor teacher? How does mentorship work?
Will I rotate or stay in one classroom/school?
What is the teaching commitment at the end of my residency year?
If I'm not admitted to the residency program, will I be guaranteed a spot in the standard master’s program?
Other questions?

This program is a partnership between Nazareth University School of Education, University of Rochester Warner School and the Rochester City School District.

This program is partially funded by the Max and Marian Farash Charitable Foundation.