American University’s School of Education is proud to partner with Urban Teachers to deliver a one-of-kind teacher preparation experience resulting in a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT).
The Urban Teachers’ mission is to improve the educational and life outcomes of children in urban schools by preparing culturally competent, effective career teachers who accelerate student achievement and disrupt systems of racial and socioeconomic inequity. To learn more about their commitment to publicly educated students click here.
Since its founding in 2010, Urban Teachers has welcomed more than 2,000 aspiring teachers who have taught nearly 240,000 students at 296 partner schools. More than 90 percent of principals reported that first-year teachers hired from the Urban Teachers program were well-prepared for the classroom.
The Urban Teachers Advantage
As an aspiring teacher in the Urban Teachers teacher certification and development program, you will earn a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) from American University and become a teacher in Baltimore, Dallas, DC, or Philadelphia. Urban Teachers faculty have years of high-quality classroom teaching experience and are uniquely equipped to provide you with a meaningful learning experience. Coursework in this program will give you the knowledge and theoretical foundation you need while also giving you plenty of opportunities for hands-on practice to apply your learning. You will also receive support from a dedicated Urban Teachers coach whose goal is to accelerate your effectiveness in your first year as a resident teacher and during your first two years as the leader in your own classroom.
Exclusive to American University, students who choose the Urban Teachers program will earn certifications in elementary education, secondary English language arts, or secondary math. Additionally, each participant receives a special education teaching license, preparing them to meet the needs of all students they teach. Participants in the Dallas cohort are also certified in English as a Second Language.
Urban Teachers’ teams on the ground in our partner cities are composed of former educators and invested local leaders who have deep knowledge of the local educational and cultural landscape. They work with you to find a quality school placement, and are fully accessible to support you with every detail of your transition into our program from placement support to housing and relocation.
Urban Teachers Participant Benefits
- A residency year stipend to support living expenses
- Full-time teaching salary starting in year two
- 85 hours of individualized coaching
- Learning opportunities within a community of fellow aspiring teachers who are also committed to accelerating student achievement and disrupting systems of inequity
- Transitional assistance to support relocation expenses
- Scholarship and financial aid opportunities through AmeriCorps, UNCF and the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grants Program
- A master’s degree and two high-value teaching certifications
The Urban Teachers Experience
Year One – Learning to Lead as a Resident Teacher
In your first year you will be assigned to a host teacher’s classroom in one of our nearly 300 partner schools across four cities. As a student, you will work beside an experienced teacher while receiving individualized coaching from American University faculty and Urban Teachers expert coaches. In this resident year, you’ll practice leading lessons, rehearsing classroom management techniques, and performing one-on-one interventions. Graduate coursework takes place in the evening, at the conclusion of the school day.
Now, you lead your very own classroom as a full-time teacher and an Urban Teachers Fellow. While you complete your final year of master’s coursework, you hone your teaching practice with the support of dedicated faculty and coaches.
With the endorsement of Urban Teachers, you will earn two state teaching certifications while coaches continue to support your growth as a classroom instructor.
You are now equipped with the tools and resources needed to excel in a lifelong education career. In this final year as an Urban Teachers Fellow, you are encouraged to pursue leadership opportunities within your respective school communities.
Applying to Urban Teachers
Do you see yourself positively impacting the lives of deserving public school students?
Aspiring teachers who have earned a bachelor’s degree and wish to enroll in American University through the Urban Teachers program must first submit an application to Urban Teachers. The best applicants are:
- Committed to a career in public education
- Committed to accelerating student achievement and disrupting systems of racial, gender, and socioeconomic inequity
- Eager to work with public school and public charger school students
- A strong student with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5
- A coachable team player prepared to become the teacher our future leaders deserve
- Aligned with the mission and values of Urban Teachers