Subjects Fellows Teach

In the fall of 2007, over 160 Fellows entered OUSD classrooms, more than 70 for the first time. This is your chance to add to this network of dedicated educators.  The need for teachers of math, science,  and special education remains particularly great. Some candidates come from strong science and math backgrounds and join OTF to bring their expertise in a particular field to the children who need it most. Some candidates join our movement to ensure that students with special needs develop the same educational foundations as their neighbors down the hall. All Fellows bring their particular knowledge and skills to impart to students.  We are looking for 2008 Fellows to make a difference by teaching the following subjects:

• Bilingual education
• Math
• Science
• Spanish
• Special education
• Physical education

Candidates do not need to have majored or minored in mathematics or science or have experience with special education to teach these subjects.  The Oakland Teaching Fellows Training Institute prepares Fellows to begin teaching in a high-need school, regardless of subject area.  Please see below for more information on these shortage area subjects, where the need for outstanding teachers is our top priority.

Math and Science

The Facts

• The teacher's depth of knowledge in science and math is the single greatest predictor of tenth-grade achievement in these subjects.* 
  
• Only 14% of Oakland ninth graders are at the proficiency level or better in biology. Just 4% of ninth graders perform at or above proficiency on the state-wide General Mathematics exam.**

The Oakland Unified School District needs accomplished individuals to teach critical subject areas like math and science in order to guide and propel students into their futures. Fellows will offer students an experience that, without them, may not be possible. We encourage and invite candidates with knowledge of math and science to inspire Oakland's students in these important fields.

Candidates do not need to hold a major or minor in science-related or math-related fields to be eligible to teach these subject areas. Candidates who possess a high level of content knowledge - as indicated by successful completion of college-level coursework or a passing score on an Advanced Placement (AP) exam- may be eligible. In order to qualify to teach math or science in California, candidates must take and pass a required teaching test (CSET) or receive a CSET waiver (based on undergraduate coursework).

• For more information on teaching math, click here, or visit the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics website.

• For more information on teaching science, visit the National Science Teachers Association website.

Special Education

The Facts

• 30% of our nation's positions for college professors in special education go unfilled every year; 3,000 fewer special education teachers are trained as a result. Multiply by sixteen children per teacher, and our nation is looking at 48,000 children affected by a lack of special education classroom teachers in one year alone.***
   
• In the first year of the Oakland Teaching Fellows program, 98% of the special education classrooms in OUSD started the school year with a highly-qualified teacher--a dramatic increase from previous years.****

Many educators agree that while a special education teacher needs more specialized training, effective special education teachers are just very good teachers--consistent, creative, and committed to implementing strategies and tracking student progress. Individuals from all academic or professional backgrounds can apply to become an Oakland Teaching Fellow in special education. Candidates do not need to have previous experience or training in special education. Click here to learn more about individuals from all backgrounds who have chosen to make a difference as Oakland Teaching Fellows and special educators. To find out more information about the training that Oakland Teaching Fellows provides, click here.

The Oakland Unified School District needs teachers to take on the role of educator, advocate, and specialist in our classrooms for children with special needs. According to OUSD’s Program for Exceptional Children, over 6,000 children in the District receive special education services and need a teacher who will work hard for them.  OUSD's Programs for Exceptional Children (PEC) is looking for individuals committed to holding all of our students to the high academic standards they deserve.

• For more information, visit the following link to the PEC website
• Please refer to Teaching Special Education for more information on what special education is and the benefits of teaching a special education class.

Your experience is needed.  Your skills can put the next generation of Oakland students on a different track in life.

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* Dan D. Goldhaber and Dominic J. Brewer, "Evaluating the Effect of Teacher Degree Level on Educational Performance," 1996
** California Standardized Testing and Reporting ( STAR ), 2007
*** Smith, D.D., Tyler, N.C., Pion, G., Sinedelar, P.T., & Rosenburg, M.S., "T he Shortage of Special Education Faculty: Why It Is Happening, Why It Matters and What We Can Do About It," 2001
**** Statistics provided by OUSD's Programs for Exceptional Children