Being a Fellow

Salary and Benefits

Salary

The starting salary for Fellows is the same as that for all other beginning teachers in the district or charter school at which they are employed; for the 2011-2012 school year, first-year teachers earned approximately $34,600 annually.  Teachers with a master’s degree directly related to their teaching assignment typically receive additional pay (around $1,400). Fellows who successfully complete the Training Institute and meet all other pre-employment requirements become salaried employees upon securing a contracted, full-time teaching position.  Teachers normally receive their first paycheck at the end of the first month of teaching.

Summer Stipend

Upon completion of the Summer Institute, Fellows are provided a $2,000 (pre-tax) stipend. The stipend is distributed at the end of the training.  Because the stipend is distributed at the end of the six-week training and there could be more than one month of time between the end of the Summer Institute and a Fellow’s first paycheck, we strongly encourage Fellows to plan appropriately to ensure their financial well-being during this time. 

Benefits

When Fellows become employees of a district or charter school (after successfully completing the Training Institute), they are eligible for the same comprehensive benefits as all new teachers. These benefits include medical, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage. 

Loan Forgiveness

Fellows with Stafford and Perkins loans may be eligible for loan deferment or forgiveness. Please visit the Federal Student Aid website for more information about the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program.