How will the $20,000/year be paid?

Each semester, the Master Teacher Fellow must complete required paperwork in order to be paid their stipend. Stipends will be paid out at the end of each semester for the duration of the program. For spring semester, MTFs will receive the first installment of $10,000 at the end of the semester with the next installment of $10,000 paid at the end of the following semester. Each MTF will sign a commitment to the program and must complete the requisite activities and training.

To participate in this program, must I reside in the Greater Houston area?

MTFs accepted into this program must reside in the Greater Houston area. This program provides mentoring and coaching year-round by our faculty and induction specialists, including observations and in-the-moment coaching. The “Greater Houston area” is a vast area. For questions regarding your specific residential location regarding this requirement, please email us at thstemlead@uh.edu.

What type of training will MTFs receive and in what modality will the professional development occur?

This is a hybrid program. Some professional development will be held online; some will be face-to-face. As such, MTFs need to reside in the greater Houston area so they can receive face-to-face coaching and mentoring from the teachHOUSTON faculty and induction specialist.

MTFs will participate in person at the Teacher Leadership Institute which will occur every summer throughout the program’s duration. Topics include CRCM, Engineering Design, Inquiry-Based Teaching and Learning, Mentor Development, and Mentoring through Induction. Additionally, MTFs will attend our New Teacher Academy which serves as a key launching point for mentoring our teachHOUSTON graduates and other novice teachers.

Where will the professional development training take place?

Professional development for STEM-Lead will be delivered in various formats, including in person, virtually, and asynchronously. The bulk of professional development will take place in the summer where Fellows will attend the Teacher Leadership Institute and the New Teacher Academy Conference. In-person training will take place at the University of Houston main campus with locations announced prior to the event.

Virtual and asynchronous training will be held primarily in the Fall and Spring semesters throughout the duration of the program.

Will I have to travel to other campuses to support teachers?

Much of the support will be offered to teachHOUSTON graduates virtually. However, we may ask our Fellows to observe their mentors on occasion if their schedule permits. Our goal is that you also begin mentoring novice teachers on your own campuses as well.

What happens if I do not complete all five years of the program?

The University of Houston along with the National Science Foundation has a repayment protocol in the event that you do not complete all five years of the program.

What is the application due date?

September 30, 2024. Interviews will be scheduled for October 2024.

Where is the application located?

Candidates must first complete the STEM-Lead interest form and submit required documents as described on the website. After the candidate has been screened for eligibility, an email to the application link will be provided.

Will I be required to share transcripts? If so, where is it being sent to?

Send unofficial transcripts to thstemlead@uh.edu. Upon acceptance, you will be asked to submit official transcripts.

Do I need to remain in Houston for the entire 5 years of the program?

Yes, that is a requirement of the grant. Developing mentors in the key areas identified by this program takes time and requires commitment in that development journey. According to grant guidelines, stipends may have to be paid back if the Fellow leaves the program.

Do I need to be teaching in the classroom?

Yes, applicants must be teaching in the classroom full time during the duration of the program (five years).

I am an instructional coach/specialist/coordinator. Do I qualify for this program?

You must be in the classroom full time. Thus, most instructional coaches/specialists/ coordinators do not qualify.

What grade levels can I teach in order to apply?

Grades 7–12, as a mathematics or science teacher and/or STEM teacher. The terms “mathematics or science teacher” and “STEM teacher” refer to an individual who has teaching certification or licensure to be a science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or computer science (including cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and microelectronics) teacher at the secondary school level.

What if I have an HB1 visa, can I still apply?

NSF requires that all scholarship recipients and stipend recipients must be U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents.

Do I need to obtain a district supervisor’s letter of support?

We have already obtained letters from the following districts: Alief ISD, Pasadena ISD, ad Spring Branch ISD. Should you be selected to serve in the cohort, we will contact your district supervisors to obtain their letter of support if we do not already have one.

Will I be able to change campuses, content, or districts while in the program?

You can change campuses and districts as long as the district is considered “high-need.” The content should stay in grades 7–12 STEM areas. The definition of a high-need school district is defined in section 201 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1021). Most districts in the Houston area meet the requirements of a high-need school district.

What happens if I cannot attend meetings?

Virtual meetings may be recorded and may require evidence of completion of the missed training activities under rare circumstances. Please reach out to thstemlead@uh.edu if you cannot attend a meeting.

Will I be assigned a mentee, or will I get to choose my mentee?

All MTFs will be assigned a few mentees in various capacities. Mentee/Mentor assignments will be determined based on geographic location, district placements, and content.

What is the time commitment for participants in this program?

Five years.

Will the completion of this program qualify me for the TEXES Principal Certification exam?

No, there is a separate program for this provided by the University of Houston.

Are there professional development credits for this program?

Yes. Micro-credentials will be generated for participation in the program. Some of those micro-credentials will include completion of our online training platform that will be developed as part of this program.

What will be my summer commitments throughout this program?

You will have a summer commitment TBD.

Is it possible to double up on professional development/courses to complete the program early?

No. This program is based on a cohort model.

Is there a professional development schedule available for potential candidates to view?

Below is a general outline of the professional development topics that will be covered during this program. NOTE: Timeline is tentative and subject to change.