American University’s School of Education is invested in cultivating a teacher workforce that is diverse and well-prepared to meet the needs of students in the District of Columbia.
The AU/DCPS Teacher Pipeline Project is a partnership between American University and DCPS and OSSE to provide scholarships to DCPS graduates who wish to become teachers. The Project has two components:
- A Dual Enrollment Program and
- Undergraduate AU Teaching Fellows.
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.”
Meet the 2021-22 AU Teaching Fellows (Cohort 2)
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.”
The first phase of the Teacher Pipeline Project includes the opportunity for DC high school seniors to enroll in six college credits (e.g., two courses), free of charge. Students will attend on-campus courses alongside current AU students. Between 10-20 high school students are selected each year to participate in the dual enrollment experience. The courses include the following:
Read SOE Dean Cheryl Holcomb-McCoy's Washington Post article, Opinion: A Dual-enrollment Program for D.C. High School Students Could Help Fill Classrooms in the Future.
AU Teaching Fellows
The second phase of the Teacher Pipeline Project consists of DC high school graduates being admitted to AU SOE’s Teacher Preparation Program. Full scholarships will be offered to Fellows. Scholarships for high school students who wish to become AU Teaching Fellows include:
- William Simons (Washington Teachers Union) Scholarship
- Ruby King Bush Scholarship
- District Scholars
Teaching Fellows can aspire to be general elementary or secondary teachers and/or special education teachers via the following majors/minors:
The Teacher Pipeline Project is a partnership between American University, DCPS, Friendship Charter Schools and the Office of the State Superintendent in Education (OSSE) to provide dual enrollment opportunities in education courses, full scholarships for aspiring teachers, and new teacher coaching. The project is designed to increase the number of DC teachers from DC. In addition, the aims of the project are to diversify the teacher workforce and increase teacher retention. Teaching Fellows can aspire to be general elementary or secondary teachers and/or special education teachers.
AU Teaching Fellows can attend American University’s School of Education tuition free. In addition to four years of funding, the Fellows are also guaranteed a teaching job upon graduation.
Yes, all Teaching Fellows will have D.C. certification, which can be used in other states.
Students are required to complete the AU application for admission. See application here.There are special questions pertaining to the Teaching Fellows Program.
Dual Enrollment Coordinator
- Dean Cheryl Holcomb-McCoy
AU Teaching Fellows
- Amaarah DeCuir
Professorial Lecturer School of Education
- Traci Dennis
Director of Undergraduate Teacher Education
- Shanique Carmichael
TPP Graduate Assistant