Michigan FAQ
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation's Woodrow 
Wilson Michigan Teaching Fellowship
Frequently Asked Questions
- General Information
- Eligibility
- Application Process
- Master's Program
- University Admission and Support
- Teaching Commitment and Other Obligations
- Program Completion
General Information
Q: What is the W.K. Kellogg Foundation-Woodrow Wilson Michigan Teaching Fellowship?
A: To increase the quantity and strengthen the quality of Michigan math, science, and technology teachers, the WKKF-WW Michigan Teaching Fellowship is creating the equivalent of a National Merit Scholarship for teachers. The Fellowship, which was first made available for students entering graduate programs in the summer of 2011, offers recent graduates and career changers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) a stipend of $30,000 to complete a specially-designed, cutting-edge master's in teaching degree program, in exchange for a commitment to teach for three years in high-need secondary urban or rural schools. The program provides Fellows with this stipend to support their preparation for teaching, including in-depth clinical teaching experience in one of six selected Michigan teacher education programs.
Once their preparation is complete and Fellows obtain teaching certification, they will be part of a cohort teaching in high-need schools in the same districts at the same time.
The schools, along with university partners, will provide mentoring and support throughout the three-year Fellowship period. The Fellowship is administered by the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation and is funded with a $16.7 million grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Leadership from the Governor's office is also a key part of the program.
Q: What makes the WKKF-WW Michigan Teaching Fellowship different from other teacher certification programs?
A: The WKKF-WW Michigan Teaching Fellowship combines several best practices in teacher preparation by bringing together:
- Excellent, paid preparation. The Michigan Teaching Fellowship offers Teaching Fellows a $30,000 stipend to pursue a high-quality master's degree in teaching and to obtain teacher certification and licensure.
- Immediate impact and ongoing support. Fellows teach in schools with high-need student populations, but also with leadership and support. As soon as they begin teaching, Fellows will receive mentoring from their universities and experienced teacher leaders in their schools or districts.
- Preparation for a successful career in teaching. While WKKF-WW Michigan Teaching Fellows make a three-year commitment to teach in high-need schools, we believe that the high-quality teacher preparation and support the Fellowship provides will position Teaching Fellows for a sustained and successful career in teaching. The Fellowship is not intended to be a short-term Peace Corps-like experience. Rather, it is designed as a launch pad for teacher development and professional growth that will help shape a new generation of outstanding educators and teacher leaders in Michigan classrooms.
- Highly selective admission. The WKKF-WW Michigan Teaching Fellowship seeks to increase the quality of teaching candidates, not just the quantity. As a prestigious pathway to teaching for gifted undergraduates and accomplished career changers, the Fellowship will bring new talent into teaching, elevate the teaching profession, and provide the preparation and ongoing support needed for success in the classroom.
- A new approach to teacher education. The Fellowship is more than a scholarship program. It seeks to transform teacher education while preparing future leaders in the teaching profession. The program will provide participating universities with new resources to develop model teacher education programs that prepare teachers in math- and science-related fields. The Woodrow Wilson Foundation will work with these universities in a broad range of areas: redesigning curricula to improve teacher preparation; creating clinical experiences in schools to help teacher candidates succeed with diverse populations; and assessing candidates' performance in the classroom. In the long term, this approach can lead to the adoption of more rigorous teacher education standards nationwide.
Q: Which Michigan institutions are participating?
A: The Woodrow Wilson Foundation partners with six Michigan higher education institutions with high-quality teacher preparation programs. These universities have demonstrated their willingness to put in place bold, innovative approaches that can prepare teachers for a time in which our schools are undergoing dramatic changes. The six institutions are Eastern Michigan University, Grand Valley State University, Michigan State University, University of Michigan, Wayne State University, and Western Michigan University.
Eligibility
Q: Who is eligible for the WKKF-WW Michigan Teaching Fellowship?
A: The WKKF-WW Michigan Teaching Fellowship is open to college seniors, graduates, and career changers who:
- demonstrate a commitment to the program and its goals;
- have U.S. citizenship or permanent residency;
- have attained, or expect to attain by June 30, 2012, a bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. college or university;
- have majored in and/or have a strong professional background in a STEM field;
- have achieved a cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale (negotiable for applicants from institutions that do not employ a 4.0 GPA scale).
Q: Do I need to have completed my undergraduate education in Michigan?
A: No, but the master's degree must be completed at one of the six Michigan partner institutions and the three-year teaching commitment must be fulfilled at a designated Michigan public school.
Q: I already have some teaching experience (full-time, substitute, para-professional, private school, etc.). May I apply for the Fellowship?
A: Ideally, WKKF-WW Michigan Teaching Fellows have an undergraduate major in a STEM (science, technology, engineering, or math) discipline or substantial work experience in a STEM-related field and are seeking a master's degree in STEM (science, technology, engineering, or math) education and clinical teaching experience in a Michigan public or secondary school. Prior teaching experience does not exclude a candidate from eligibility. All applications are considered in their entirety and selection is based on merit.
Q: Do I need to be an education major or have taken education classes to apply? What academic preparation should I have?
A: The Teaching Fellowship program is looking primarily for applicants with an undergraduate major in a STEM (science, technology, engineering, or math) field. Others who may not have majored in a STEM field, but who have a minor or significant work experience in one of these fields, are also encouraged to apply. These applications will be judged on their merits.
Q: If my field is one of the professions that draws heavily on science and math (such as physical therapy or accounting), or perhaps a social science with major STEM components (such as economics), may I apply?
A: You are welcome to apply. In the course of Teaching Fellowship selection, we will review all applicant transcripts to clarify the work each candidate has already completed in STEM fields. Some additional undergraduate courses may be required by a partner institution if a candidate's previous experience does not yet meet the institution's minimum standard for content knowledge in a given area.
If you would like to strengthen your application and more effectively demonstrate your content knowledge, you may choose to take the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) exam in your content area and submit these results along with your other supporting documentation.
Q: My college GPA was not 3.0 or better. Can I still apply?
A: Yes. If you feel your undergraduate GPA does not adequately reflect your capabilities, you may still apply for the Teaching Fellowship. A section of the application will provide an opportunity for you to describe and clarify any extenuating circumstances, and/or speak to ways in which you feel your accomplishments are a better measure of your excellence than your undergraduate GPA.
Q: I graduated from college a few years ago. Can I still apply?
A: Yes, absolutely. Career changers of all ages are welcome to apply and can use professional accomplishments (for example, awards, professional certifications, service records) to demonstrate their potential. Partner institutions will work individually with candidates to certify that career changers selected as Teaching Fellows satisfy their own requirements for demonstrated content knowledge.
Q: I am interested in the Fellowship program, but I don't want to teach in Michigan. Do you have programs in other states?
A: The WKKF-WW Michigan Teaching Fellowship requires that recipients teach in Michigan schools, since one purpose of the Fellowship is to increase the number of high-quality secondary math, science, and technology teachers in the state. Similar Woodrow Wilson programs are currently available in Indiana and Ohio with other states expected to launch Woodrow Wilson state teaching fellowship programs in the future.
There is also a national version of the program, the Leonore Annenberg Teaching Fellowship, for which candidates apply directly to the schools of education at the participating institutions. To obtain further information and application details, please make direct contact with the Annenberg Fellowship's partner institutions—Stanford University and the universities of Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington.
Application Process
Q: What is the process for applying? Can I apply online? Do I need to apply separately to each institution in which I might be interested? When will I find out if I am accepted?
A: Applicants will apply to the Woodrow Wilson Foundation for the WKKF-WW Michigan Teaching Fellowship. Applications are available on the Foundation's Website. Fellows will be selected by early spring 2012 and will begin graduate studies in summer or fall 2012. All applications will be accepted online only and only through the Woodrow Wilson Foundation.
Q: Is there an application fee?
A: Application for a WKKF-WW Michigan Teaching Fellowship is free. Partner universities have chosen to waive their application fees. The WKKF-WW Michigan Teaching Fellowship application is the only application candidates must submit.
Q: What are my odds? How many applications does the Woodrow Wilson Fellowship receive each year?
A: During the 2011 competition, the Foundation received five applications for every available slot. As the Fellowship offers a paid pathway to teaching with excellent preparation and support, we anticipate continued strong interest in this highly selective program. At the same time, we welcome and encourage applications from all qualified applicants.
Q: Will I need to pay tuition?
A: Yes. The $30,000 fellowship stipend is a direct payment to you that can be used toward tuition and living expenses. Each campus will have its own tuition and financial aid arrangements for Fellows.
Q: Will I qualify for loan forgiveness as a teacher in a high-need school?
A: The Federal government offers loan forgiveness of up to $17,500 in Federal loans for some eligible math and science teachers who 1) meet the highly-qualified teacher status, 2) teach for five consecutive years, and 3) teach for these five years in a low-income school. As a WKKF-WW Michigan Teaching Fellow, you will meet the criteria of being a highly-qualified teacher in a low-income school; however, not all Fellows are eligible for this loan forgiveness. For more information, please visit the Federal Student Aid Website.
Q: Which schools qualify as high-need?
A: For a list of schools that qualify as high-need, please visit the Annual Directory of Designated Low-Income Schools for Teacher Cancellation Benefits.
The Annual Directory is updated in the fall of each year. For a comprehensive listing of high-need schools, you may check the previous year's directory or periodically check the directory for the latest updates.
Q: Is the stipend taxable?
A: Grant amounts are taxable income to the extent that the aggregate scholarship or fellowship amounts received by the recipient exceed required tuition and fees (not including room and board), books, supplies and equipment required for courses of instruction. We recommend that you consult your tax advisor for further information.
Q: Will the Foundation issue a 1099 or W-2?
A: No.
Q: When would I receive my Fellowship stipend?
A: WKKF-WW Michigan Teaching Fellows will receive their stipends in two or three equal payments and may select the payment option that works best for them. For example, a Fellow may choose to receive a payment of $15,000 at the start of the first semester of coursework, upon confirmation from the partner university that the Fellow has registered, and the second payment of $15,000 at the start of the second semester. Fellows will choose the payment schedule once they have been selected and have accepted a Fellowship award. The stipend is paid directly to the Fellow.
Q: How many Fellowships will be awarded annually?
A: The Woodrow Wilson Foundation expects to award a total of 90 WKKF-WW Michigan Teaching Fellowships—15 to each of the six participating universities. In addition, the Foundation will select a number of alternate candidates who may be offered the Fellowship if those originally selected choose to decline for any reason.
Q: What is the application process?
A: All Teaching Fellowship candidates will complete the online application. In addition to the online application, candidates will provide letters of recommendation and transcripts from all institutions attended. Candidates who are selected as finalists will also interview with a team of Woodrow Wilson selectors who are veteran teachers and teacher educators.
Q: What if I have a transcript from a foreign university/college?
A: Follow these steps to have your foreign transcript evaluated:
- Have your official transcript(s) translated (if necessary) into English.
- Send your transcript(s), course descriptions, and the English translation to a credential evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. A fee ranging from $165-$295 is required. Be sure to request a "course-by-course/detail" evaluation.
* Foreign transcripts which are already in English, still will require a course-by-course/detail evaluation. - Have an official copy of the transcript and translation sent to:
Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowships
P.O. Box 5281
Princeton, NJ 08543-5281
Q: Where and when will interviews be conducted?
A: Interviews will be conducted at various sites throughout Michigan in fall and winter 2011-2012. Applicants selected for an interview will be asked to select the date and location that best works for them. The interview will begin at 1:00 PM and end at 5:30 PM. Applicants selected for an interview who live outside of Michigan will be provided with alternate opportunities to fully participate in the interview process.
Q: What will the interview day look like?
A: Teaching Fellowship finalists selected for an interview should come prepared to spend the afternoon with the Woodrow Wilson interview team. Following an explanation of the day's schedule, finalists meet in small groups where each candidate presents a short sample teaching lesson. This lesson may be on any subject but should not be more than five minutes in length. A white board, chalk board, or chart paper will be available for each candidate's use. Each candidate may bring additional materials, as appropriate. Please note that finalists are not expected to know how to teach. The sample teaching lesson offers each candidate the opportunity to demonstrate his/her teaching potential.
Following the sample teaching lesson, each candidate will participate in a 30 minute one-on-one interview with a Woodrow Wilson selector. While candidates are waiting for their interview, or after they complete their interview, they will have 30 minutes to complete a short writing assignment. No advanced preparation is required for this part of the interview process.
The day will close with a whole group question and answer period where candidates are free to ask any additional questions about the program not previously addressed.
Q: Is it possible that I could receive a WKKF-WW Michigan Teaching Fellowship but not be admitted to the institution where I am placed?
A: No. The WKKF-WW Michigan Teaching Fellowship application will be aligned with admission requirements and review at the participating universities. A Fellowship to attend a given institution will only be offered to someone who is also being admitted by that institution.
Q: If I do not receive a WKKF-WW Michigan Teaching Fellowship but would still like to enroll in a teacher preparation program at one of the partner institutions, may I do so?
A: Yes, if that university admits you. It will likely be necessary for you to take additional steps to apply to that institution. It is also possible that you will be invited to apply by one or more of the partner institutions, as your application will have been shared with whichever partner institutions you have indicated as your preferences.
Q: If I am not accepted for the Fellowship and choose not to pursue the master's without it, can I apply for the Fellowship again in the following year?
A: Absolutely. We welcome your continued interest.
Q: Am I allowed to work at another job while I am studying for my master's degree? While I am teaching?
A: While the Teaching Fellowship should be a student's primary commitment, s/he may hold additional employment, following consultation with the on-campus program director. Any employment should be planned around the Fellowship curriculum so as not to conflict with classes and clinical teaching preparation. It should be clear, however, that the Fellowship program will essentially be the equivalent of a full-time job.
Master's Program
Q: What type of master's degree will I receive?
A: WKKF-WW Michigan Teaching Fellows will receive a master's degree following successful completion of the partner university's master's degree program. The partner institutions may offer degrees with slightly different titles. In all cases, however, Fellows will receive a master's degree and complete all the preparatory requirements necessary in order to take exams for Michigan teaching licensure and certification.
Q: Am I able to choose where I will study for my master's degree?
A: In the application, candidates will be asked to indicate, in ranked order, their preferences among the six participating universities. Every effort will be made to match a candidate with his or her first-choice institution. However, the final determination will be made by the Woodrow Wilson Foundation depending on the pool of applicants, the fit with campus programs, and the needs of partnering school districts. If extenuating circumstances require a candidate to stay in one geographical area, there will be an opportunity to describe those circumstances in a designated section of the application.
Q: Is there a required program of study?
A: While the program of study varies among the six institutions, each university will offer a master's in teaching degree, redesigned in consultation with the Woodrow Wilson Foundation. Each program will encompass a rigorous curriculum coupled with intensive clinical teaching experiences, with the goal of giving Fellows the best possible preparation for advancing student learning in middle- and high-school classrooms.
Q: When will coursework begin?
A: Coursework will likely begin in late May or June 2012, depending on the curricula developed by the six partnering universities.
Q: Will I get teaching experience?
A: Yes. All six master's degree programs include significant experience teaching in public secondary schools. Both the master's coursework and clinical teaching experience will focus on providing the practical, subject-specific education needed to prepare Fellows to succeed with students in high-need schools.
Q: What exams do I need to take? Are there any costs involved in getting certified?
A: While the master's degree program will include all the necessary coursework for getting a Michigan teaching license, teacher licensure candidates will eventually need to pass the appropriate Michigan Tests for Teacher Certification (MTTC)
MTTC I (Basic Skills) and MTTC II (Content) tests are not required for applicants to the Teaching Fellowship program; but applicants are highly encouraged to register for and take the MTTC I Basic Skills test prior to becoming a Teaching Fellow.
MTTC I and II are requirements for teacher certification in Michigan and all accepted Teaching Fellows will eventually need to pass both tests. For more information about the MTTC tests, candidates may visit the MTTC Website. The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) does charge a small application fee for a first teaching license.
Q: What grades and subjects will I be certified to teach after I receive my degree?
A: The Teaching Fellowship focuses on secondary teaching in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. However, the different university campuses will emphasize particular subjects and teacher certification/licensure areas. The type of teaching certification will depend upon which program a Fellow enrolls in and/or which courses s/he takes.
University Admission and Support
Q: Do I get to choose where I will teach in Michigan?
A: In the application, candidates can rank in their order of preference the six participating Michigan universities. This directly impacts where Fellows will complete their clinical teaching immersion since each university is partnered with several secondary schools in its area.
Q: What about special circumstances that may limit how far I can travel to complete the master's degree or where I can be placed for my teaching assignment?
A: The application contains a section to note extenuating circumstances, which will be taken into consideration when your application is reviewed. However, Fellows are urged to remain as open and flexible as possible about future teaching placements.
Q: Will I be on my own once I start teaching?
A: No. From the beginning, Michigan Teaching Fellows are part of a cohort that will be assisted in securing teaching placements in the same school districts at the same time and will continue working together, helping to promote a community of support and learning within and across their schools.
Q: Can I switch schools during my three-year teaching obligation? Or grade levels/subjects?
A: The WKKF-WW Michigan Teaching Fellowship focuses on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) teaching at the secondary level in high-need schools in Michigan. It is strongly preferred that, if at all possible, a Fellow remains at the school site where s/he is originally placed so that s/he will have the full benefit of mentoring. It is possible that a Fellow who transfers to another teaching assignment may lose some or all of the mentoring benefit, as well as some of the ongoing university services.
Teaching Commitment and Other Obligations
Q: How long must I teach to fulfill my commitment to the program?
A: WKKF-WW Michigan Teaching Fellows agree to teach for three years in Michigan high-need secondary urban or rural schools, contingent on completing their master's in teaching degree program and attaining their teaching licensure/certification.
Q: Can I teach for only one or two years?
A: No. Michigan Teaching Fellows commit to teaching for three years in Michigan when they accept the Fellowship.
Q: What happens if my teaching position doesn't work out or I drop out of my degree program?
A: Each university has a program director oversees the Teaching Fellowship and works with Michigan Teaching Fellows to ensure that they are satisfied with their master's degree program, that they are progressing well, and that they develop a strong relationship with colleagues in the schools at which they student-teach. The partner institution will continue to work with Fellows once they become certified teachers and begin teaching full-time, to help them transition to the classroom and address challenges in their work. If a teaching position is not successful, the university program director will explore (with the Fellow) other possibilities in the area.
Program Completion
Q: What happens at the conclusion of the three-year teaching commitment?
A: While Fellows will be free to choose the future direction of their teaching careers, we believe that the high-quality teacher preparation and support the Fellowship provides will position Fellows for a sustained and successful career in teaching. Once selected as Fellows, the WKKF-WW Michigan Teaching Fellows become lifelong members of a national network of intellectual leaders. Today's 20,000 Woodrow Wilson Fellows include 13 Nobel Laureates, 35 MacArthur "genius grant" recipients, 15 Pulitzer Prize winners, two Fields Medalists in mathematics, and many other noted scholars and leaders.
Q: Can I teach in another state after I complete my three-year commitment?
A: Yes. Once the three-year teaching commitment in Michigan is fulfilled, Michigan Teaching Fellows may teach anywhere they choose, assuming they meet applicable licensure standards in their new state.
Q: What will be my involvement with the WKKF-WW Michigan Teaching Fellowship and future Woodrow Wilson Fellows after my commitment is complete?
A: Even after their teaching certification is obtained, their master's program and three-year teaching commitment are completed, Fellows remain part of a statewide network of Michigan Teaching Fellows, as well as the larger national network of 20,000 Woodrow Wilson Fellows. In addition, the Woodrow Wilson Foundation can support Fellows in finding out about requirements for National Board Certification—for which Fellows will be eligible after three years of teaching—and may arrange mentorships with new Michigan Teaching Fellows.
Contact
Other questions that are not answered in the information posted on this site can be directed by email to the Woodrow Wilson Foundation or by calling 609-452-7007 ext. 141.