Research Triangle Educators’ Design Network Fellowship

Fall 2013

World Class Schools announces the Research Triangle Educators’ Design Network (EDeN) Fellowship. Through this fellowship, entrepreneurial educators will analyze existing school models from across the country that personalize learning through innovative teaching roles and strategic uses of time and technology. They will draw lessons from these models and work together with World Class Schools to design the actual instructional model for a new charter school to be proposed to open in Fall 2015.

What is World Class Schools? We are a new North Carolina nonprofit dedicated to empowering educators to design and implement school models that leverage excellent teaching and high-quality digital learning to dramatically improve student learning experiences and close achievement gaps.

Who should apply? Experienced, entrepreneurial teachers and principals who would be excited to actively engage as members of a team designing a breakthrough school model. Priority will be given to those with records of deep instructional expertise (e.g., as a classroom teacher, instructional or curricular specialist, school leader, etc.). Some familiarity with blended learning models would be helpful but is not required. Fellows will need to learn rapidly, think divergently, and work collaboratively.

What is required of fellows? Fellowship sessions will involve group discussion and critique of school models—including pedagogical approaches, staffing structures, and use of time during the school day. Fellows will participate in eight weekly meetings beginning in early October. After a three-hour introductory session, each subsequent session will last two hours. Fellows will be required to review pre-reading before each session. Fellowship meetings will occur in late afternoons or evenings, or on weekends (tailored to fit selected fellows’ schedules), to minimize interference with fellows’ teaching and other obligations. There will be additional, optional opportunities for fellows to engage with one another and with other innovative educators in person and in online forums.

What are the benefits of being selected as a fellow? The primary benefit of the fellowship is the opportunity to work closely with a team of driven, innovative educators, to design a school model that holds promise to improve learning experiences for students and close achievement gaps. Each fellow will receive a small stipend. Finally, fellows may be considered for school leadership positions or additional World Class Schools fellowship opportunities.

Applications Due: Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Fellowship Recipients Announced: Friday, September 27, 2013

First Fellowship Meeting: Week of September 30 – October 4, 2013

Research Triangle

Educators’ Design Network Fellowship

Fall 2013 Application

Please respond in a separate document. Include full name, phone (day / evening), email address, and number of years as a classroom teacher.

Describe your experience in education. For each position held within a school, include name and address of the school; years at the school; grade level(s) and subject(s) taught, if any. Include evidence of high impact on student achievement and/or leadership within a school or organization where applicable.

You may submit a résumé instead of responding to the items above. However, please be sure your résumé addresses all of the items listed.

Short Answer 1 (300 words max): Why do you want to be an Educators’ Design Network Fellow? How would participation in the fellowship program align with your professional goals?

Short Answer 2 (300 words max): Please describe one or more past experiences or personal qualities that have prepared you to be an education entrepreneur, or to approach the challenge of designing a new, breakthrough school model with open-mindedness, creativity, and an innovative spirit.

Short Answer 3 (200 words max): Describe your level of familiarity with digital learning or online or “blended” learning models, competency-based learning, and the use of data to inform instructional practice. No prior knowledge of these areas is required. Responses will be used to guide development of fellowship session agendas.

Please submit your completed application materials or direct any questions to Joe Ableidinger at jableidinger@gmail.com.