Fellows will participate in an accelerated alternate route to certification program, teaching full-time while completing certification requirements. Rather than completing a traditional teacher education program prior to entering the classroom, Fellows first engage in an intensive summer Training Institute that is specifically designed for Rhode Island Teaching Fellows and is free of cost, before then completing additional academic certification requirements while teaching full-time. This allows Fellows to become fully-certified teachers in the state of Rhode Island while teaching and earning a full salary and benefits.

Alternative Route Program Certificate
All enrolled Teaching Fellows who successfully complete the summer Training Institute will be granted a Special-Alternative Certification by the Rhode Island Department of Education. This certificate was created to allow outstanding individuals with no previous education coursework the opportunity to teach while participating in an alternate route certification program. Individuals are considered “highly qualified” in accordance with No Child Left Behind guidelines.

Rhode Island Professional Certificate
Upon successful completion of all program requirements, state testing requirements and recommendation for certification, Fellows will be eligible for the Rhode Island Professional Certificate. In order to meet the program requirements of the Rhode Island Professional Certificate, Fellows will enroll in an alternate route to certification program.

While the Teaching Fellows program helps Fellows connect the pieces to earn their teaching license, it is the Fellow’s responsibility to meet certification program requirements. All Fellows formally commit to working towards and completing their certification requirements when accepting their offer to join the Teaching Fellows program. Note that all certification courses and requirements are determined and managed by the Rhode Island Department of Education, the participating school districts, and certification partners – NOT the Teaching Fellows program. We do not have complete and confirmed details on certification course requirements and costs at this time. However, the Fellows program is committed to updating Fellows on this information as soon as it becomes available, ensuring that Fellows have the information and resources needed to enroll in their state-approved alternative certification programs to become fully-licensed educators in the state of Rhode Island.

Want to learn more? Join us for an Information Session.