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)
- or Adolescence Education (Grades 7-12) and Teaching Students with Disabilities at the Adolescence Level
- or Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL, Grades Pre-K-12)
- Participate in a 15-month paid teacher residency: Earn a salary of up to $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!
Application deadline: March 1 for the 2024-2025 cohort
Complete both steps to be considered:
1. Apply to your Naz grad program:
- Childhood Education (Grades 1–6) — includes Teaching Students with Disabilities at the Childhood Level (Grades 1–6)
- or Early Childhood Education (birth - Grade 2) — includes and Teaching Students with Disabilities at the Early Childhood Level (birth - Grade 2)
- or Adolescence Education (Grades 7-12) — includes Teaching Students with Disabilities Generalist (Grades 7-12)
- or Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL, Grades Pre-K - 12)
2. Indicate interest in the Roc Urban Teaching Fellows program:
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.
- You'll start graduate classes in late May (Summer A term) and finish the following August.
- 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 up to two certifications.
- 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)
- New York State initial teaching certification in Adolescence Education (Grades 7-12) and Teaching Students with Disabilities at the Adolescence Level (Grades 7-12)
- or New York State initial teaching certification in TESOL (prek-12)
Affordability/Financial support
- Receive at least $15,000 of tuition assistance
- Receive a non-exempt salary of up to $43,000 plus health and dental benefits from the Rochester City School District for the 2024-2025 academic year.
- You may also be eligible for Nazareth's Educational Partner Network discount, and Teacher Opportunity Corps II benefits.
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.
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.
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.
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.