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What is enrollment?
Enrollment is the period of time from accepting your offer to become a Fellow to the start of PST (typically, any time between November and May). The purpose of enrollment is to prepare you for a successful experience during Pre-Service Training and beyond. During enrollment, you will learn more about TNTP, be introduced to the core skills and traits that we believe are essential for great teachers, have opportunities to get to know other fellows, and complete all requirements necessary to become a certified teacher in Indiana.
What financial options are available to help me get through the unpaid summer training?
For legal reasons, ITF cannot offer financial advice. We encourage you to reach out to the financial aid office at Marian University to learn about what aid options are available, check out our budgeting resources here, and also recommend talking to other Fellows to see how they are preparing for the summer. We do strongly recommend everyone apply for FAFSA upon enrolling. Financial aid is typically available in mid June, if all paperwork has been received and you are enrolled at Marian. Questions? Email hpfinaid@marian.edu.
Can I apply for positions at schools outside of ITF's partner schools?
At this time, candidates may only apply for schools identified within Center Township in Indianapolis, so schools in any of the other townships (such as Pike, Washington, etc.) are off limits. Our partner schools have been identified based on need and mutual consent. You should focus your job search in the schools identified as partner schools, which can be found here. If a school is within Center Township and not on our school partner database, please email Candace before you apply.
Can I apply for positions teaching electives?
Fellows are encouraged to apply for any positions that they are highly qualified to teach, but you will need to contact Marian University to learn what content areas are available for initial licensure. Some electives do not meet the criteria for initial licensure, but can be added to your professional license by taking and passing a Praxis Content Area exam.
What is a Transition to Teaching (T2T) permit?
A Transition to Teaching (T2T) permit allows select individuals who already hold a bachelor's degree to obtain teacher certification by completing master-level coursework while working full-time in the classroom. T2T programs provide hands-on, direct training to career changers and recent college graduates in a shorter time span than that of a traditional program. All Fellows enroll in coursework through Marian University's Master of Arts in Teaching, a state-approved Transition to Teaching program.
How much does the licensing process cost?
The full scope of licensing costs includes testing (costs vary depending on the number of tests you take), on average Fellows spend: testing (~$250), a background check (~$30), suicide prevention training (~$10), T2T permit application (~$35), and tuition for the two-year MAT program (approximately $13,500). Fellows are responsible for all costs associated with licensing and the MAT program, but financial assistance from Marian University - including student loans and scholarships, as well as potential eligibility for an AmeriCorps award of up to $7,395 through Indianapolis Teaching Fellows is available.
How can I refer a friend who I think would make a great fellow?
You can nominate a friend to the Fellows program by emailing their name and contact information to the ITF program manager or inputting their information here. We will reach out to all referrals with more information about our program.
When do I start teaching?
All Fellows will teach a summer school classroom. Fellows who successfully complete Pre-Service Training and secure full-time positions will officially start teaching at the beginning of the 2025-26 academic year. Most schools in Indiana start the academic year in late July or early August.
Do I get to choose where I teach?
While it is our goal to accommodate your teaching preferences, all Teaching Fellow candidates should be prepared to teach where they are most needed. Fellows have the opportunity to focus their independent job search on their personal school preferences. However, available vacancies may be limited and Fellows will ultimately secure positions where they are needed the most and where there are available teaching positions.
Will there be other Fellows teaching at my school?
ITF now has a network of more than 600 teachers teaching across partner schools in Indianapolis and Indiana, increasing the likelihood that new Fellows will teach alongside veteran Fellows in the same building. In 2020, 72% of Fellows taught in a school where there was at least one other Fellow employed. Other alternative certification programs such as Teach For America partner with many of the same schools as ITF. It is likely that there will be other teachers in your school who came to the profession through alternative pathways.
Do I need to apply for AmeriCorps?
Yes. As an Indianapolis Teaching Fellow, you may be eligible to enroll in the TNTP AmeriCorps Program. To be clear, the AmeriCorps award is a possibility, but not always a guarantee. We strongly encourage everyone to have a back-up plan to pay for your Master's degree. AmeriCorps Education Awards are dependent on federal funding and award sizes are subject to change annually. As a result, we cannot guarantee eligibility for next year’s Teaching Fellows. In the event the AmeriCorps award is available, we will host a session during PST that includes information about how to enroll in AmeriCorps and the amount of the award.
When will I get my AmeriCorps award?
In the event the AmeriCorps Award is available, it is granted after you successfully complete your first year of teaching and courses at Marian University.
Am I eligible for financial aid?
Indianapolis Teaching Fellows are students at Marian University and should contact Marian's financial aid office to learn more about the options available to them.
Where will I live during pre-service training?
Pre-Service Training takes place in Indianapolis and Fellows will need to live within a reasonable commute of the city. Marian will offer some short term housing options and financial aid may be available to you for housing through Marian as long as you are enrolled at Marian. If you have questions, please contact housing@marian.edu or 317-955-6318. There are a limited number of spaces so it is a first come, first serve option. Our relocation guide offers extensive information about the city of Indianapolis as well.
What are the full costs associated with being an Indianapolis Teaching Fellow?
There are costs associated with the Enrollment period, living and working during the unpaid summer for Pre-Service Training, and the Licensing process. We strongly encourage Fellows to access our budgeting tools and resources here.
All Enrollment costs can be found on the Enrollment Checklist here, and can vary widely depending on your content area and your higher education.
The costs for Pre-Service Training include:
Purchasing and (if necessary) servicing a laptop during training
Daily meals, including lunch, during training
Housing and other living expenses. There is public transportation in Indianapolis, though we strongly encourage you to look for a colleague on the Facebook Group to carpool with given the long days during training.
CPR class ($20-$60)
Any supplies you envision needing for your summer school classroom.
Licensing costs include testing (~$250), a background check (~$30), suicide prevention training (~$10), T2T permit application (~$35), and tuition for the two-year MAT program (approximately $13,500). Fellows are responsible for all costs associated with licensing and the MAT program, but financial assistance from Marian University, and potential eligibility for an AmeriCorps award of up to $7,395, is available.
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