Below are Frequently Asked Questions for the MƒA Early Career Fellowship in New York City.
ELIGIBILITY
APPLICATION
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
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ELIGIBILITY
What are the eligibility requirements?
Candidates make a four year commitment to the MƒA NY Early Career Fellowship program. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S., and must be a first, second or third year teacher of secondary mathematics in a New York City public school during the 2012-2013 school year (and for three school years thereafter).
I’m certified to teach secondary mathematics and haven’t yet taught. Am I eligible for the MƒA Early Career Fellowship?
Yes. As long as you are certified to teach mathematics at a middle or high school and are able to secure a mathematics position in NYC public schools by the start of the 2012-2013 school year, you are eligible.
I currently teach in a private school. Am I eligible for the MƒA Early Career Fellowship?
The MƒA NY Early Career Fellowship is only for NYC public school teachers.
I currently teach in a charter school. Am I eligible for the MƒA Early Career Fellowship?
Yes. Provided that you are certified to teach secondary mathematics for all NYC public schools, you are eligible.
I currently teach outside of New York City but am planning to move. Am I eligible for the MƒA Early Career Fellowship?
Yes. As long as you are certified to teach secondary mathematics in New York and are able to secure a mathematics position in NYC public schools by the start of the 2012-2013 school year, you are eligible.
I am currently a teacher in Teach for America, NYC Teaching Fellows or another Alternative Certification program. Am I eligible for the MƒA Early Career Fellowship?
Yes. If you are certified to teach secondary mathematics in New York, have a position teaching mathematics in a NYC public or charter middle or high school and are in your first, second or third year of teaching, you are eligible.
Do I have to be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident?
All candidates must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents due to the certification requirements for New York State.
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APPLICATION
How do I apply to the MƒA NY Early Career Fellowship program?
Submit an online application, which includes your resume, official transcripts, three letters of recommendation, a personal statement, lesson plan portfolio, and the mathematics course credits list. In addition, you are required to take two Praxis II Math Exams: Content Knowledge (0061) and Proofs, Models and Problems, Part I (0063). Information on the exams can be found at www.ets.org.
When is the application deadline?
The application deadline for the MƒA Early Career Fellowship is Friday, May 4, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. EST.
Do I need to submit international transcripts?
If your academic credentials are from an institution outside of the United States and Canada, you will need to submit a World Education Services, Inc. (WES) course-by-course evaluation of all post-secondary credentials (undergraduate and graduate, if applicable). Forms for evaluation by WES may be downloaded from the WES website www.wes.org.
What is the Praxis math exam and why do I need to take it?
MƒA NY is dedicated to ensuring that all Fellows have a strong knowledge of mathematics. To determine mathematical ability, the Selection Committee reviews Praxis exam scores in addition to all application materials.
How do I sign up for and take the Praxis exams?
Applicants must sign up for the two required ETS Praxis II Math Exams (Content Knowledge [0061] and Proofs, Models and Problem, Part 1 [0063]) directly through ETS. You must indicate which test date you will be signing up for on the online application. Your test fees ($160) and registration fee ($50) will be reimbursed after you submit a completed MƒA Early Career Fellowship online application and your test score report is received by MƒA. MƒA's institution code is 7779. To ensure that your score report is sent to MƒA, enter this number when registering for the tests.
The application deadline for the MƒA Early Career Fellowship is Friday, May 4, 2012 at 5 p.m. EST. The last date to take the Praxis Exam is April 28, 2012. The ETS Praxis test dates for the 2012 application cycle are:
9/17/2011
11/12/2011
1/14/2012
3/10/2012
4/28/2012
Do I have to take the Praxis exams before submitting my online application?
You must obtain scores for both Praxis tests in order to be considered for admission. You may, however, submit the online application prior to taking the exams.
If I decide to re-apply to MƒA NY, will I need to take the Praxis exam again?
MƒA NY keeps Praxis score information on file for five years after you apply to the program. We will accept scores of tests taken within the past five years as long as your official scores are sent to us.
What are the minimum Praxis test scores?
Typical Praxis scores for MƒA NY Early Career Fellows range from 150 to 180 on the Mathematics Content Knowledge test (0061) and from 175 to 190 on the Proofs, Models and Problems, Part 1 (0063) test. These are guidelines, and Praxis scores are one of many components considered in your application. If you are satisfied with your scores, it is not necessary to take the test again.
Do I need to submit GRE scores?
MƒA NY does not require applicants to submit General Record Exam scores. The standardized tests that MƒA NY requires are the Praxis II Math Content Exams (0061 and 0063).
What happens after I submit my application?
When your application is complete, including receipt of all letters of recommendation, it will be reviewed to ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements and then evaluated by members of the Selection Committee. The Selection Committee assesses candidates’ mathematical talent and strong teaching skills. In-person interviews for finalists will be held in June 2012. Offer letters will be sent in late June.
Is the application binding? Do I have to accept the MƒA Early Career Fellowship?
Candidates who are interviewed and offered an Early Career Fellowship have the right of refusal. MƒA NY recognizes that candidates may decide that they are no longer interested in the program.
Can I defer acceptance into the program?
Because the MƒA Early Career Fellowship is highly competitive, applicants who are accepted into the program may not defer acceptance. Applicants may reapply for the program the following year.
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ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
How much time am I required to spend teaching math to be eligible for the MƒA Early Career Fellowship?
MƒA Early Career Fellows must spend at least 75 percent of their school day teaching mathematics.
Is acting as a small group math learning specialist or a math coach for 75 percent of the day sufficient?
You must be a classroom mathematics teacher at least 75 percent of the day. Other math-related roles are considered supplemental.
Will Math for America pay for permanent certification?
The MƒA Early Career Fellowship provides stipend payments that may be used at Fellows’ discretion.
Do I have to secure a teaching position before I can apply for the MƒA Early Career Fellowship?
Your acceptance into the MƒA Early Career Fellowship is contingent on securing a secondary mathematics teaching position in New York City at the beginning of the school year.
When does the MƒA Early Career Fellowship start?
The MƒA Early Career Fellowship starts mid-August with a mandatory orientation/retreat.
How long is the MƒA Early Career Fellowship commitment?
The MƒA Early Career Fellowship is a four-year commitment.
Why is the commitment four years?
The MƒA Early Career Fellowship program is a four-year Fellowship dedicated to developing and retaining highly qualified teachers. During the four years, MƒA invests in its Fellows through a variety of ongoing professional development opportunities as well as mentoring to ensure success.
What support does MƒA NY provide to Early Career Fellows?
A key feature of the MƒA NY Fellowship program is the MƒA NY corps activities. MƒA NY Early Career Fellows are supported by Early Career Advisors, who provide mentoring and instructional support. MƒA Early Career Fellows attend monthly meetings and participate in ongoing professional development workshops. MƒA NY encourages Early Career Fellows to attend conferences, workshops and social events that bring Fellows and Master Teachers together for interactive training and classroom support. In addition, MƒA NY hosts the Small-World Network, a community on MƒA’s website that’s accessible only by Fellows and Master Teachers, that allows the community to collaborate and share resources and ideas.
What are the professional requirements for the MƒA Early Career Fellowship?
MƒA Early Career Fellows must attend one MƒA cohort meeting every month during their first year of the Fellowship and monthly professional development workshops in the 2nd – 4th years of the Fellowship. MƒA NY emphasizes intensive professional development to create a corps of outstanding mathematics teachers.
If I am accepted into the program in my third year of teaching, will I be able to apply to the Master Teacher program in my fourth year?
The MƒA Early Career Fellowship is a four-year commitment. Upon completion, you may apply to the MƒA Master Teacher Fellowship.
I am an elementary teacher but I love math and focus heavily on math within the classroom. Am I eligible?
The MƒA Early Career Fellowship is only available for middle school and high school mathematics teachers.
What happens if I need to leave the program early?
MƒA asks Early Career Fellows to make a good faith commitment to remain in the program for the full four years. We recognize that life circumstances change, and an Early Career Fellow may need to leave the program early and may do so without penalty. Still, commitment to the full four years is cornerstone to your selection as an MƒA Early Career Fellow.
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