New Teacher Recruits Who Graduated from New York City Public Schools are Eligible for $1,000 Award
Chancellor Joel I. Klein today encouraged new teachers who are themselves graduates of New York City public high schools to apply for the first-ever Gotham Graduates Give Back Award. Up to fifty winners will receive $1,000 and may be featured in recruitment materials or asked to speak at events encouraging students to consider teaching as a profession. More than 20% of new teacher applicants this year are eligible for the recruitment award.
“I am pleased to offer this award to New York City teachers returning to work in public schools where they were once students,” Chancellor Klein said. “These teachers will be role models in the communities where they grew up. They will join talented and hard-working colleagues who have helped our students achieve at record-high levels. This is an exciting time in the New York City public schools, and I hope more of our students consider teaching as a career.”
Applicants must submit two written essays by July 21, 2008, describing how they plan to draw upon their experience as students in New York City public schools to improve the performance of their own students and raise the profile of teaching as a career.
New teacher recruits are eligible for the Gotham Graduates Give Back Award if they graduated from a New York City public high school, are State-certified, and have never taught full-time in New York City public schools. Candidates must also secure a commitment from a principal by August 15, 2008, to be hired to a regular school-based teaching position. New teachers who receive financial assistance from the City in obtaining teaching certification, such as participants in the NYC Teaching Fellows program, are not eligible for the award.
Winners will be announced at the New Teacher Welcome ceremony on August 25, 2008.
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Contact: David Cantor / Melody Meyer (212) 374-5141