Teaching Opportunity Program (TOP)

Infobox Company
company_name = Teaching Opportunity Program
company_
company_type = Alternate-Route Program
foundation =
location = New York, NY
key_people = NYC Dept of Education, TNTP
industry =
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revenue =
operating_income =
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homepage = [http://www.top.cuny.edu]
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The Teaching Opportunity Program [http://www.top.cuny.edu] (TOP) represents a collaborative initiative between The City University of New York and the New York City Department of Education. The program provides stipends, education awards, tuition waivers and special training to highly qualified baccalaureate program graduates seeking to pursue a career in teaching. It recruits undergraduate students, recent graduates and career changers with academic majors that have been identified as current and future areas of teacher shortage. During the year 2007, the program will focus on recruiting candidates with degrees or the equivalent in the areas of Spanish, mathematics, and science. In addition, candidates who already hold a New York State teaching certificate to be a classroom teacher and who are currently teaching in the NYC public school system and are interested in pursuing a career as a literacy teacher may apply.

History

The Teaching Opportunity Program (TOP) was developed to attract talented students and career changers into the teaching profession and to prepare them to improve student learning in classrooms across New York City. The program focuses on certification areas in which there are shortages of teachers: mathematics, science, Spanish, and literacy.

Training

Participants in the program receive intensive pre-service training during the first summer, for which they receive a stipend and tuition waiver. Successful program participants then enroll in master’s degree programs at CUNY colleges and are recommended for New York State alternative certification as a teacher. While pursuing their master’s degrees, candidates teach in New York City public schools and receive the appropriate salary as a New York City teacher.

Participating colleges include: Brooklyn College (math), City College of New York (literacy), Hunter College(math, science and Spanish) and Lehman College (math and science).

Job Placement

Participants are responsible for finding a teaching position in a New York City school. However, TOP will have job placement manager on-hand to assist candidates in their job search. TOP will also provide candidates with mentoring by experienced teachers and college liaisons during their first year of teaching.

Incentives

During each of the first two years of teaching, CUNY defers payment of TOP students’ tuition and fees until the end of the school year. At the end of their first year of teaching full-time in a New York City public school and successful completion of the first year of the program, participants receive an AmeriCorps Eduacation Award worth $4,725 that can be used to pay deferred tuition and fees at CUNY. Participants earn a second AmeriCorps Education Award worth $4,725, which can be used to pay their second year’s tuition and fees at CUNY, after their second year of full-time teaching and successful completion of the second year of the program. CUNY graduate tuition currently costs $270/credit. Most program participants will need to take from 36-48 credits to complete the program. Program participants can use any unused parts of their Education Awards to pay off student loans or to pay for future education expenses. TOP participants much commit to teaching in New York City for two years following completion of their master’s degree or risk penalties.

External Links

Teaching Opportunity Program: [http://www.top.cuny.edu]

City University of New York: [http://www.cuny.edu]