Enter the Classroom

The

Signature Model

Change Starts With You

Whether you’re just entering the workforce, currently working as a paraprofessional or teacher’s assistant, or making a career shift into education, we have a pathway to the classroom for you.

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The 5 C's

Students deserve educators who are prepared to stay.

Whether you are beginning your career, transitioning from another field, or already working with students as a paraprofessional, teacher’s assistant, or school-based professional, you will enter a learning community built around high expectations and meaningful support.

The Signature Approach is grounded in the 5Cs: Coaching and Mentoring, Coursework, Certification, Clinical Placement, and Care. Together, these elements connect what you learn, where you practice, who supports you, and how you build a career that can last.

  • Coursework
    Complete rigorous graduate-level learning designed to strengthen your instructional practice and prepare you to meet the needs of diverse learners.
  • Coaching & Mentoring
    Receive individualized feedback, guidance, and relationships that help you reflect, improve, and build confidence over time.
  • Clinical Placement
    Develop your practice in real classrooms and school communities, where learning is connected to the everyday work of teaching.
  • Certification
    Navigate the path toward required teaching credentials with clear information, structured support, and practical guidance.
  • Care
    Experience Community, Advocacy, Resources, and Empowerment—the supports that help educators sustain themselves, persist through challenges, and grow into leaders.

    • A rigorous, care-centered path to a lasting career in education.

    The Signature Approach follows a 2×2 structure: two years of intensive preparation and two additional years of continued support as you establish your career.

    Every stage is designed to help you build skills, confidence, credentials, and the relationships that make a lasting career in education more possible.

    Start your application!

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    Fellow Year 1: 

    Build your foundation through a paid immersive, hands-on classroom experience, where you learn alongside an experienced mentor and host teachers and connect theory to daily practice. You will also begin graduate-level coursework, receive coaching and mentorship, participate in cohort learning, and develop the instructional, relational, and reflective skills that effective educators need.

    Throughout the year, you’ll take on increasing responsibility by leading mini-lessons, analyzing student data, conducting assessments, and supporting small group instruction—building a strong foundation to lead your own classroom.

    • Immersive year-long training in a mentor classroom
    • Paid clinical experience
    • Begin 1:1 coaching
    • Begin Master’s degree coursework

    Fellow Year 2: 

    If you meet all Year 1 expectations and program requirements and secure a fall teaching position in your content area at a partner school, you’ll advance to Year 2 as a teacher of record.

    During this year, you’ll continue your graduate coursework, receive coaching and mentorship, work toward required credentials, and build on the practice you developed during your first year.

    • First year as a full-time teacher
    • Full-time teacher salary and benefits
    • Continued 1:1 coaching
    • Earn a Master’s degree

    Fellow Year 3: 

    During your Senior Fellow year, coursework is complete, but coaching continues. You’ll receive ongoing, regular guidance and instruction through coaching throughout the school year. By the end of the year, you’ll fulfill state requirements for full certification or licensure.

    • Second year as a full-time teacher
    • Full-time teacher salary and benefits
    • Continued 1:1 coaching
    • Earn teaching credentials in content area and special education

    Alumni:

    After completing all program requirements, you’ll be recommended for full teacher credentials. You’ll remain connected to a community of educators, resources, career supports, and opportunities to grow as a teacher-leader, mentor, advocate, and future school or system leader.

    As the City Teaching Alliance cohorts grow, you’ll find ongoing opportunities in your teaching commitment year and beyond. These opportunities include serving as Summer Institute graduate assistants, coaches, mentors, and mentor teachers.

    • Third year as a full-time teacher
    • Full-time teacher salary and benefits
    • School and program leadership opportunities available
    • Ongoing access to City Teaching Alliance alumni network and programming
    Our Signature Approach

    From preparation to professional growth

    Masters Degree

    Earn a master’s degree while you teach through a University Partner matched to your location and content area.

    Paid all 4 years

    Get paid while you train in the classroom, paired with an experienced mentor or host teacher. Full-time, full-salaried teaching position starting in Year 2.

    1:1 Coaching

    Over 80 hours of 1:1 coaching over three years and coursework that promotes whole-child success.

    Dual Teaching Certificates

    Receive two accredited teaching certificates, including Special Education.

    Bring your goals & experience

    to teaching.

    Teacher turnover can disrupt learning, strain school communities, and make it harder for students to build the trusting relationships they need to thrive.

    City Teaching Alliance prepares educators for the realities of the classroom while investing in the support systems that help them remain in education over time. Our models are built around the belief that when educators are prepared, supported, and empowered, schools and communities grow stronger.

    Find Out How! 

    85 %
    Of City Teaching Alliance alumni remain in education
    90 %
    Of participants say the program gave them the skills they need to be effective in the classroom
    91 %
    Of first-year fellows met or exceeded the Teacher Performance Rubric in SY2025–26
    Impact
    Explore Financial Supports
    Our AmeriCorps Partnership
    Getting a Masters
    How To Apply

    Are you a good fit?

    We select the very best candidates for our program – only 40 percent of applicants are accepted – and prepare them thoroughly for their careers.

    Ready to commit to a career in education?

    Eager to work with students in school communities in Maryland, Texas, Greater DC Metro, or Pennsylvania? 

    Able to adapt and persevere through challenges?

    Join the Alliance

    Apply Now