Training and Professional Development

Summer Institute
Candidates accepted into the program begin their commitment with a six-week Summer Training Institute designed specifically for members of the Indianapolis Teaching Fellows program that starts in mid-June.  During Institute, Fellows are offered seminars and workshops on standards, foundations of teaching, and classroom management.  Fellows also participate in discussions and activities focused on the challenges and benefits of teaching in a high need setting.  The summer training also includes time for Fellows to work with current IPS teachers in summer school classrooms to gain experience planning lessons, and in some cases, Fellows have the opportunity to teach summer school classes. 

The Indianapolis Teaching Fellows training consolidates a great deal of training time into only a few weeks; thus, training is extremely demanding. Fellows must attend training five days a week from approximately 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily. Due to the critical part that training plays in the Indianapolis Teaching Fellows program, Fellows are not allowed to miss any portion of the training.

IPS Professional Development
All Fellows are required to attend New Teacher Orientation with IPS.  New Teacher Orientation is typically a four day event that provides Fellows and all new district teachers with very specific information about IPS and being a new teacher to the district.  During Orientation, Fellows are introduced to representatives from key departments and provided information on the school district’s culture, initiatives and goals for the coming school year. 

A new teacher’s first year is particularly challenging, and Teaching Fellows should anticipate long hours and intense effort, especially during the first semester. Because Fellows work in schools that often have limited resources, candidates are chosen for their ability to solve problems creatively and independently—an important factor in their success. Throughout the school year, Fellows are invited to professional development workshops that are hosted by various divisions within the school district.  These workshops are aimed at improving instructional strategies and addressing the needs of all students. 

Marian College
Marian College also provides each Fellow with a supervisor who is responsible for supporting them in the classroom.  Supervisors make regular visits to the Fellows’ classroom to observe and provide feedback on how to improve the delivery of their instruction by using many different methods, including those learned in their licensure courses. 

Teaching Fellows Program Administration
Upon entering the program, the Teaching Fellows office assists with logistical support, such as helping Fellows to manage the process of becoming full district employees and keeping Fellows informed through periodic program emails messages and newsletters. Fellows may also have the opportunity to attend special events and social gatherings throughout the year.

However, the Fellows program office is not intended to serve comprehensive ongoing classroom support. Most teachers prefer to draw on support and resources within their schools. Although every situation is different, Fellows may collaborate with co-teachers at their school, district instructional specialists, assistant principals, principals or a grade- or subject-level team.

Fellows often find that the most important avenue of ongoing support comes from both within their school community and from other new Fellows who are experiencing similar successes and struggles.  Summer training events will facilitate connections among Fellows who will be teaching the same subject areas.  New Teaching Fellows can draw on these connections as a resource for planning, reflection, and shared encouragement as they strive for excellence in their individual classrooms.