BPS Teaching Fellowship

Our innovative training model is designed to help Fellows lead their students to success from the moment they step into their classrooms.

One on One Coaching

BPS Teaching Fellows receive rigorous instructional coaching, mentoring and advising from doctorate-level, BPS Teaching Specialists. Our coaching model will help you see exponential growth in your practice over time. You will receive immediate feedback from experienced BPS coaches in real time to support the growth and development of you and your students.

Summer Enrollment and Early Fall Pre-Practicum

In the summer, Fellows begin pre-practicum online coursework. In September, Fellows begin their 2-month pre-practicum, coursework and an orientation to the Fellowship. Throughout the pre-practicum, Fellows receive intensive in-person coaching and support from our Specialists.

School Year Practicum

Candidates who demonstrate foundational teaching proficiency during the pre-practicum will be allowed to advance to the practicum phase of the program, where they receive continuous coaching, feedback, and professional development as BPS teachers of record. Fellows are also required to participate in biweekly Academy Sessions.

Assessment Performance

Throughout the school year, candidates are assessed on the state’s Candidate Assessment of Performance (CAP) rubric to ensure that by the end of the school year they have met program competencies to earn licensure to continue their career as BPS teachers.

Accelerated Path to Initial Licensure

Upon completion of this program, Fellows who meet the program requirements are endorsed for initial license in Moderate Disabilities (K-12) or English as a Second Language (ESL) (K-12).

The BPS Teaching Fellowship (BPSTF) is a rigorous teacher preparation program genuinely, uniquely and energetically committed to diversity where individuals of all backgrounds and experiences are welcomed, included, encouraged, and can succeed and flourish. To ensure we are developing educators who will have an immediate impact in Special Education and English as a Second Language (ESL) classrooms, we admit candidates who:

• Meet the basic admission criteria:

  • Possess a bachelor’s degree

  • Demonstrate eligibility to work in the United States

  • Pass a CORI/SORI

  • Hired as a BPS Teacher of Record at a BPS school for the SY 2025-2026

• Other Criteria

  • Passionate about creating multiple classroom opportunities to cultivate the genius of the young people of Boston

  • Demonstrate the defining attributes necessary to successfully complete our program and succeed as teachers in diverse educational settings

  • Have the potential to become effective teachers to meet the diverse needs of learners

  • Committed to preparing for and achieving a passing score on all required MTELs

When considering candidates for admission, we use a selection model to admit candidates who have the background to teach our highest need students based upon their completed application file and interview process. Furthermore, candidates must demonstrate effective teaching practices and professional growth during field teaching experiences to maintain good standing, advance through the program, and receive endorsement for licensure. The Fellowship is designed to ensure that BPS Teaching Fellows are equipped to deliver high-quality instruction to all students and build equitable learning communities.

We recruit teachers who are interested in obtaining licensure in the following areas:

• English as a Second Language (K-12)

• Special Education (Moderate Disabilities) (K-12)

Learn more about licensure requirements here.Candidates who enroll in the Fellowship will be able to take part in free MTEL preparation courses.

Note: Eligibility and academic requirements are established by the Massachusetts Department of Education and are therefore non-negotiable and subject to change.

Without exception, all candidates must meet the admission criteria outlined in the admission policy above in order to be granted acceptance into the program.

Candidates must maintain good standing in order to advance through the program by meeting all program requirements, including attending all required Academy Sessions, completing all online and Academy Session coursework on time, and engaging in reflective practice by shifting instructional strategies during observation and feedback cycles. A final requirement is completing all components of the state’s Candidate Assessment of Performance (CAP), indicating full candidate readiness for teaching. 

During the BPSTF program, candidates will work closely with the Specialists to receive support in the following ways:

• Onboarding to the program

• Maximizing professional growth opportunities and learning outcomes

• Supporting induction into school and district policies and instructional vision and practice

• Support with passing MTELs

Additionally, candidates will receive coaching support from program supervisors and mentoring from supervising practitioners during their induction to teaching and throughout the practicum. Between  the Director of Teacher Pipeline Programs, program supervisors, supervising practitioner, the specialists, and the MTEL coaches, BPS Teaching Fellowship candidates will be fully supported and advised throughout the program to ensure their successful completion of the program and obtaining endorsement for licensure.