Frequently Asked Questions

• You may be accepted into the Fellowship before being hired into a full-time teaching role in BPS but you must secure a full-time teacher position by September 1st to complete the program.

  * Cluster substitutes do not qualify as a lead teacher role for this program.

• The application will be open and listed on this website in January for the following year’s cohort.

No, you do not. You only need to be a teacher of record in BPS.

• Unfortunately, you cannot. The Fellowship is for BPS teachers who have not completed an educator preparation program yet. If you would like to add another licensure in ESL or Moderate Disabilities, you may be eligible for the Pathways Program; contact Nick Balasalle (nbalasalle@bostonpublicschools.org).

  *Other educator preparation programs include a college, university, or alternative teacher certification program

• The BPS does not sponsor visas directly, unfortunately.

• We support teachers to secure initial licensure in either Moderate Disabilities or English as a Second Language (ESL).

  However, we will work with you to complete any of DESE’s further requirements to secure initial licensure in your subject area once you secure initial licensure in Moderate Disabilities or ESL. We support teachers from Early Childhood to Secondary, and across all subject areas.

• Anyone with a bachelor’s degree who is committed to becoming a teacher in Boston Public Schools in the content and grade levels offered by the program. 

  * You do not need to be bilingual to participate in the program.*

• No, the program is open to anyone who holds a bachelor's degree who seeks to become licensed and teach in BPS.

• No, you do not need to live in Boston to participate in BE/ACTT.

  *Note: Majority of program hours are in person, so being able to get to Boston to attend those would be necessary.

• BE/ACTT supports candidates with obtaining a provisional license in:

  • Early Education

  • Elementary

  • Secondary Mathematics

  • Secondary Science (general science, biology, chemistry or physics)

  • Secondary ELA or humanities subjects

    *BE/ACTT candidates are also required to complete the RETELL Course, and obtain their SEI Endorsement

• In addition to teacher preparation coursework, we offer hiring support and MTEL support.

  • For hiring support, we ask candidates to create a hiring portfolio that includes several key documents needed for hiring: resume, cover letter, philosophy of education statement, lesson plans.

  • For MTEL support, we require candidates to attend MTEL Communications & Literacy preparation classes, dispensing test vouchers to all completers. We also counsel people on an individualized and intensive basis, to ensure everyone receives the kind of support they need to accomplish our shared goal of becoming a BPS teacher of record.

  • BE/ACTT Candidates are eligible to apply for the Bilingual Inclusive Education Residency Program. Once accepted, candidates will earn 6 graduate credits towards an M.Ed in Inclusive Education from Stonehill College.

• Yes, as long as you’re not a teacher of record. If you’re a teacher of record, you should apply for the BPS Teaching Fellowship.

• The application will be open and listed on this website in January for the following year’s cohort.