Many STEM professionals are curious about teaching but not ready to leave their current jobs. EnCorps gives them a way to explore the classroom before making a full career change. STEM professionals have dedicated years to building a reputation through challenging coursework, earning advanced degrees, and developing professional expertise.
The EnCorps STEM Teachers Program® is perfect for career-curious professionals. They are able to learn more about a potential career in classroom teaching and gain in-school teaching experience without needing to enter a formal credential program or to leave their current job.
How Does it Work?
The Fellowship gives participants a structured way to volunteer in a partner school, work with a mentor teacher, and explore whether teaching is the right next step. Through a 10-week Fall or Spring cohort commitment, Fellows will learn more about teaching STEM and apply that knowledge through a volunteer teaching commitment with an area school.
Fellows will work closely with their Program Manager to tailor a schedule that honors existing commitments and charts a possible path to teach a high school STEM subject, often within a year’s time.
What is the Process?
- A career-curious STEM professional applies
- If accepted, they become an EnCorps Fellow
- A Program Manager will help the Fellow navigate the process
- The Fellow volunteers alongside a host teacher for about two hours per week in a partner school.
- This will continue for a commitment of 10 consecutive weeks
- The Fellowship culminates in a “Takeover Day,” when the Fellow guest-teaches a full lesson
What Does a Fellow Learn?
Each Fellow becomes part of the EnCorps community, designed for STEM professionals who are exploring teaching as a possible next step. This includes highly targeted and practical resources for leading a STEM classroom.
Fellows will be invited to attend teaching workshops throughout the year. They will be given access to a library of online resources. And they will become part of a community dedicated to creating equity in STEM education.
And one of the most important connections is the Program Manager, who works closely with the Fellow to help them navigate the journey and potential credentialing pathway.
Where Do EnCorps Fellows Teach?
EnCorps partners with 200+ high-need schools in California. When Fellows are placed, they work with EnCorps to find the right school fit. This program is available in the following California communities:
- Greater San Francisco Bay Area
- Greater Los Angeles Area
- North Orange County
- Greater San Diego Area
- Greater Riverside Area
- Greater Sacramento Area
What Does it Cost?
There is no cost to apply or participate in The EnCorps STEM Teachers Program®. It is a volunteer fellowship, so the teaching hours are not reimbursed. The educational resources and mentoring are provided by the EnCorps program for free.
Is This Fellowship a Good Fit?
This Fellowship is designed for mid-career STEM professionals who are curious about teaching and want a practical way to explore whether the classroom is a good fit. Fellows typically bring strong STEM training and professional experience, with many holding graduate degrees.
EnCorps welcomes all applicants who meet the eligibility requirements. The Fellowship is designed for STEM professionals from a wide range of career paths, industries, and lived experiences who are interested in exploring teaching and helping students connect STEM learning to the real world.
What if Teaching Isn’t the Right Fit?
Over 10 weeks, EnCorps fellows will volunteer in classrooms, create a real impact through sharing their STEM experience, and learn if pursuing classroom teaching is a good fit for them without needing to commit to any programs or leave a job.
Volunteering in a classroom is one of the best ways to understand whether teaching feels like the right next step. However, even if a Fellow learns that a full transition into teaching isn’t the right fit for them, there are still many benefits to completing the Fellowship. Students will benefit from the Fellow’s teaching hours. Fellows often leave with a stronger understanding of students, schools, and how industry experience can support STEM learning. And many professionals continue to work with EnCorps in other ways, as mentors and part-time volunteers.
I’m Interested. What Do I Do Next?
STEM professionals considering a move into teaching can check the eligibility requirements on The EnCorps STEM Teachers Program® and reach out through the “Apply Today” page.
Sources
- EnCorps https://encorps.org/
- EnCorps https://encorps.org/teach/
- Broadening Participation in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) https://www.air.org/project/broadening-participation-stem-science-technology-engineering-and-mathematics