Program Overview

  • Get Certified for Free! 

    Tuition for Fellows is $5,000.00. Fellows who pass the required performance screen and continue teaching in DPSCD for at least six years will have their tuition forgiven, making the program entirely free. To be eligible for tuition forgiveness, Fellows must remain at DPSCD for a minimum of three years and meet all program requirements to be recommended for the Standard Teaching Certificate. Participants must also remain employed at DPSCD for at least three additional years beyond the three years required for the Standard Teaching Certificate (for a total of six years) as a contract teacher in their certification area to have all program tuition forgiven. Participants will not be required to pay any costs up front. 

    Paid Summer Training 

    Fellows are paid at a rate of $25.10/hour and are benefits-eligible during Pre-Service Institute, a six-week, field-based training experience in a DPSCD summer school. 

    Competitive Teacher Salary 

    Fellows who complete the program requirements and earn their Interim Teaching Certificate by the appropriate deadlines will be hired into the Contract Teacher role and eligible for the starting teacher salary. 

    MTTC Prep  

    Fellows receive valuable study resources at no cost and a voucher to cover the cost of the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC). Additionally, once Fellows are admitted, they begin Admissions Coursework, which includes modules focused on gaining proficiency in the content required to successfully pass the MTTC and Pre-Service Institute. To learn more about the MTTC, click the links below to review the test objectives, sample questions, and other helpful testing information available on Pearson’s website: 

    Endorsement 

    Test(s) Required 

    Preparation Material Links 

    Lower Elementary: Grades PK-3 (ZO) 

    Subtest 1: Professional Knowledge and Skills (117) 

    Subtest 2: Literacy (118) 

    Subtest 3: Mathematics (119) 

    Subtest 4: Science and Social Studies (120) 

    Test Overview and Objectives (Subtests 1-4) 

    Sample Test Questions: 

    Subtest 1 

    Subtest 2 

    Subtest 3 

    Subtest 4 

    Upper Elementary: Grades 3-6 (ZP) 

    Subtest 1: Professional Knowledge and Skills (121) 
    Subtest 2: Literacy (122) 

    Subtest 3: Mathematics (123) 

    Subtest 4: Science and Social Studies (124) 

    Test Overview and Objectives (Subtests 1-4) 

    Sample Test Questions: 

    Subtest 1  

    Subtest 2 

    Subtest 3 

    Subtest 4 

    Mathematics: Grades 5-9 (EQ) 

    Mathematics: Grades 5-9 (133) 

    Test Overview and Objectives 

    Sample Test Questions 

    Mathematics: Grades 7-12 (EQ) 

    Mathematics: Grades 7-12 (131) 

    Test Overview and Objectives 

    Sample Test Questions 

    Secondary Integrated Science (DI) 

    Integrated Science (094) 

    Test Overview and Objectives 

    Sample Test Questions 

    Cognitive Impairment (SA) 

    Cognitive Impairment (115) 

    Test Overview and Objectives 

    Sample Test Questions 

     

    Individualized Coaching and Support 

    On the Rise Academy uses a practice-based model of teacher preparation that immerses participants in authentic field-based experiences to support rapid learning and development. Fellows receive ongoing, responsive coaching in the form of 1:1 and small group coaching sessions. In addition to providing individualized coaching, coaches co-plan and facilitate regular content and grade-specific, content planning workshops with other program staff members and Model Teachers. The workshops support Fellows in understanding the highest-leverage content area for their course and grade for the upcoming unit of instruction by engaging in cycles of intellectual lesson preparation, practice, and reflection. Program staff and Model Teachers utilize strategies demonstrated to effectively support aspiring and early career teachers by: 

    • Modeling the teaching practice or strategy through live demonstrations or by sharing videos of effective teaching 
    • Rehearsing the teaching practice or strategy with their peers and receiving feedback from program staff and peers 
    • Revising their approach to the practice or strategy based on the feedback received 
    • Planning how to use the practice or strategy in the classroom setting 

    Program Timeline  

    The timeline below outlines the trajectory of a Cohort 6 Fellow who successfully passes Pre-Service Institute (PSI) and the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) by the appropriate deadlines. 

    Program Components  

    The table below provides an overview of the different program components. 

    Program Component 

    Timeframe and Duration 

    Format 

    Description 

    Admissions Coursework 

    January-May 2026 

    5 months 

    Hybrid experience that includes online modules and monthly in-person professional development.  

    Admissions Coursework is aimed at developing foundational knowledge that will ensure success on the MTTC, during Pre-Service Institute, and beyond. Successful completion of coursework is required to remain in the program and attend Pre-Service Institute. 

    Pre-Service Institute 

    June-August 2026 

    7-8 weeks 

    In-person, field-based experience in a DPSCD summer school classroom.  

    Fellows engage in field-based experiences in DPSCD summer schools to provide them with authentic opportunities to deliver instruction using the District’s adopted curricula. Fellows will spend approximately half of each day delivering instruction under the supervision of a Model Teacher. The remainder of most days will be spent engaging in skill-building sessions organized into three strands:  

    • Culturally Responsive Pedagogy 
    • Management, Culture, and Climate 
    • Rigorous Content Design and Delivery 

    New Teacher Academy 

    August 2026 

    1 week 

    In-person, District-wide professional development. 

    New Teacher Academy equips participants with the knowledge, tools, and connections needed to have a strong start to the school year with sessions focused on: 

    • Instructional Training 
    • Relationship-Building 
    • Support Systems 
    • District-Specific Tools 

    School Year Academy 

    September 2026-June 2027 

    Online coursework, intensive coaching from content-experts, and supplemental professional learning experiences. 

     

     

    During the school year, participants will complete three courses focused on:  

    • Content (endorsement-specific) 
    • The Science of Reading 
    • Diverse Learners 

    Participants pursuing the Cognitive Impairment endorsement are also required to complete two additional strands of coursework including the Special Education Core strand and an endorsement specific coursework strand.