Below are Frequently Asked Questions for the MƒA Master Teacher Fellowship in New York City.
ELIGIBILITY
APPLICATION
ADMISSION
PROGRAM BENEFITS AND REQUIREMENTS
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ELIGIBILITY
Who is a good candidate for the MƒA Master Teacher Program?
MƒA Master Teachers demonstrate strong content knowledge, an ability to engage and motivate students, leadership within their school or in the education community, collaborative skills, and a commitment to ongoing professional development.
What are the eligibility requirements?
Candidates for the MƒA NY Master Teacher Fellowship must teach mathematics in grades 5-12 in a NYC public school and have at least four years of mathematics teaching experience. Candidates are required to hold state teaching certification and spend at least 75 percent of the time teaching mathematics. MƒA seeks individuals who enjoy mentoring and collaborating with colleagues and demonstrate high content knowledge, a love of mathematics and exemplary teaching and leadership skills.
If I was not a mathematics major as an undergraduate, can I apply?
Candidates do not need to have a Bachelor’s degree in mathematics in order to apply for the MƒA NY Master Teacher program. Many of our current Master Teachers have undergraduate degrees in a variety of subjects including mathematics, physics and engineering, but have obtained a Master’s degree in secondary mathematics education and meet our state teaching certification requirement. In addition to being leaders in mathematics education, MƒA teachers hold advanced degrees and expertise in a range of subject areas.
I currently teach in a private school. Am I eligible for the MƒA Master Teacher Fellowship?
The MƒA NY Master Teacher Fellowship is only for NYC public school teachers.
I currently teach in a charter school. Am I eligible for the MƒA Master Teacher Fellowship?
Yes. If you are certified to teach secondary mathematics in New York, you are eligible.
What if I teach another subject in addition to mathematics?
Candidates must spend at least seventy-five percent of the time teaching secondary mathematics in order to be eligible.
I teach in a middle school. Is the application the same?
Yes, middle school teachers are subject to the same application and program requirements as those who teach high school. Math for America has current Master Teachers teaching in middle schools.
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APPLICATION
How do I apply to the MƒA NY Master Teacher Fellowship?
Visit the Apply page to submit an online application, which includes your resume, official transcripts, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, lesson plan portfolio, and mathematics course credits list. In addition, all applicants 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 Master Teacher 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) to MƒA. 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 Master Teachers 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 Master Teacher 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 Master Teacher Fellowship is Friday, May 4, 2012, 5:00pm 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?
The last date to take the Praxis Exam is April 28, 2012. 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 Master Teachers range from 161 to 200 on the Mathematics Content Knowledge test (0061) and from 175 to 200 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).
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ADMISSION
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. If you are selected as a finalist, you will be contacted and scheduled for an in-person interview in June 2012. Offer letters will be sent in late June.
Is the application binding? Do I have to accept the MƒA Master Teacher Fellowship?
Candidates who are interviewed and offered an MƒA Master Teacher 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 Master Teacher Program is highly competitive, applicants who are accepted into the program may not defer acceptance. Applicants may reapply for the program the following year.
When does the MƒA Master Teacher Fellowship begin?
The MƒA Master Teacher Fellowship starts mid-August with a mandatory orientation.
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PROGRAM BENEFITS AND REQUIREMENTS
Is the stipend taxable income?
MƒA Master Teachers are responsible for taxes due. MƒA issues 1099-misc income forms each year.
Are there restrictions on how stipends are used?
Stipends can be used at an MƒA Master Teacher’s discretion.
Why is the commitment four years?
The MƒA Master Teacher Fellowship program is a four-year Fellowship dedicated to creating a corps of outstanding mathematics teachers. During the four years, MƒA invests in its Master Teachers through ongoing professional development, leadership and enrichment opportunities to ensure success.
What does the MƒA Master Teacher Fellowship provide to teachers?
The Master Teacher Fellowship provides an opportunity for experienced mathematics teachers to deepen their practice and strengthen their leadership skills through professional development and enrichment. MƒA supports leadership work in a particular school, leadership work across a network of schools or in the city-at-large, and leadership work in the MƒA community. To facilitate this process, Master Teachers are expected to participate in professional development and outside enrichment activities that allow for the sharing of expertise and support. Master Teachers are encouraged to develop their leadership skills by acting as Cooperating Teachers to our Fellows, presenting at national conferences, organizing other activities within their schools and/or NYC’s mathematics education community, and obtaining National Board Certification.
Are there required activities?
MƒA Master Teachers are required to attend seven meetings/workshops per year at MƒA. This requirement can be satisfied by attending MƒA Master Teacher Cohort monthly meetings, taking mini-courses that offer in-depth explorations of higher level mathematics, joining Professional Learning Teams which provide ongoing subject-specific working groups, or through program facilitation. Program facilitation includes leading a Professional Learning Team, teaching a mini-course, or facilitating a two-part session.
What happens if I need to leave the program early?
MƒA asks Master Teachers to make a good faith commitment to remain in the program for the full four years. We recognize that life circumstances change, and a Master Teacher 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 Master Teacher.
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