The AU Teaching Fellows Program
Designed to increase the number of teachers from the District of Columbia, the AU Teaching Fellows program provided full scholarships and new teacher coaching to District of Columbia high school graduates who were aspiring teachers. AU Teaching Fellows studied to become early childhood, elementary, or secondary education teachers. AU Teaching Fellows were DC high school graduates (from both DCPS and charter schools). The AU Teaching Fellows program is no longer accepting applications.
American University’s School of Education invested in cultivating a teacher workforce that is diverse and well-prepared to meet the needs of students in the District of Columbia. The program diversified the teacher workforce and increased teacher retention. The program was a partnership between American University, the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS), Friendship Charter Schools, and the Office of the State Superintendent in Education (OSSE).
Teaching Fellows majored in:
The AU Teaching Fellows Program
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Hear first-hand from Teaching Fellows who are working to fill the teacher shortage in America. Current students and faculty weigh in on this important work.
2025-26 AU Teaching Fellows (Cohort 5)
2024-25 AU Teaching Fellows (Cohort 4)
2022-23 AU Teaching Fellow (Cohort 3)
Name: Tatiana Ellis
Former High School: Frank W. Ballou Senior High School
Why I Love Teaching: Teaching is something that I love doing. I love being able to help students, especially the students in Ward 8. It would be such a blessing to return to a school, specifically in the community I'm from, and teach students. It would help me let them understand that just because you grow up here, doesn't mean you don't have the ability to be successful.
2021-22 AU Teaching Fellows (Cohort 2)
High School: Frank W. Ballou Senior High School
Favorite Subject: English
Why AU?: “I want to be a teacher! I’ve written two children’s books, “Man Up!,” on toxic masculinity, and “Diarou’s Not So Different,” on immigration. I want to teach others to become writers too.”
High School: Thurgood Marshall Academy Public Charter High School
Favorite Subject: English
Why AU? “I did a lot of research before I decided on AU, I love that it’s close to my home and in a great area of DC. I also saw the promotional videos on YouTube and thought that I would fit in great!”
High School: Woodrow Wilson High School
Favorite Subject: Chemistry
Why AU? “I’m excited to begin my college career at AU because of all the great people and resources. I don’t know which subject I want to teach yet, but I do know that I want to be a quality teacher. Quality teachers believe in their students and push them to do better.”
2020-21 AU Teaching Fellows (Cohort 1)
Former High School: E. L. Haynes Public Charter School
First Year Experience: “AU has enhanced my organization skills, which started in high school. Life as an undergrad is not as taxing if you plan and prepare. My favorite class is a Habits of Mind course called Are We All Zombies? The instructor is engaging and compassionate, much like all of the professors at AU, he understands the challenges of online learning and works hard to make the experience worthwhile.”
Learn more about Daniela, who is quoted in The 74 article, Meet 2 Aspiring D.C. Public School Teachers in This College’s Inaugural Class of ‘Ready-to-Go’ Post-COVID Educators.
Former High School: Woodrow Wilson High School
Why Teach? “I’ve never had a bad English teacher, my teachers were always great, the same is true for my professors at AU. My instructors have always put a lot of effort in reviewing materials and preparing for class. Watching them help students and enjoying their jobs inspired me to go down the same path. Helping students learn the mechanics of writing and speaking well and to guide them as they explore their creative processes are my goals in life.”
Learn more about Chloe, who is quoted in The 74 article, Meet 2 Aspiring D.C. Public School Teachers in This College’s Inaugural Class of ‘Ready-to-Go’ Post-COVID Educators.
Former High School: Frank W. Ballou Senior High School
Why AU? “I remember hearing from someone in my high school that AU has one of the best teaching programs in the DMV. That immediately caught my attention, and it is close to my home. I love elementary school students, especially first graders; those are the kids I want to teach. I know how to connect to young kids and once I have learned what it truly means to teach and lead from my SOE professors, I know I’ll be great at it.”
FAQs on Teacher Fellows and the Teacher Pipeline Project
- Pay nothing. Tuition and books were covered!
- Received intensive teacher preparation at AU’s School of Education.
- Obtained real-world clinical experience in a public school setting.
- Graduated with a guaranteed job in DCPS and a DC teaching credential accepted in more than 40 additional states.
- Received mentoring from an AU faculty member.
- Attended monthly check-in meetings on scheduling, test-taking tips, resume building, interviewing, etc.
Yes, all Teaching Fellows had District of Columbia certification, which can be used in 48 other states. See the map of which states accept this certification here.
The Teacher Pipeline Project provides dual enrollment opportunities in education courses for high school students, before they enter a degree program. Designed to increase the number of DC teachers from the District, the program aims to diversify the teacher workforce and increase teacher retention. Teaching Fellows aspired to be general elementary or secondary teachers and/or special education teachers. The program is a partnership between American University, the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS), Friendship Charter Schools, and the Office of the State Superintendent in Education (OSSE).
Applications are no longer being accepted to the AU Teaching Fellows program.
NBC4, a television station in Washington, DC, spotlighted SOE's Future Teacher Tutors program as part of their Black History Month programming. Watch it here.