Teaching Fellowship
The Germantown Friends School Teaching Fellowship aims to prepare aspiring educators to lead their own classrooms. Through hands-on classroom experiences, mentoring, feedback, and targeted professional development, we strive to develop exceptional teachers and launch them on their educational paths. This one-year program is designed to complement graduate studies in education and bridge the gap between theoretical and practical knowledge.
The Fellowship is ideal for recent college graduates or career changers who want to teach and are seeking the training, support, and classroom experience necessary to become successful educators. Working collaboratively in a classroom under the guidance of a mentor teacher and engaging in weekly professional development seminars as a cohort, Teaching Fellows learn pedagogy, curriculum, classroom management, child development, and reflective practices that will equip them to become outstanding lead teachers.
As a young teacher, this past year has been truly transformative. This experience has helped me improve my teaching practice, understand the nuances of being an educator, and instilled in me the importance of leaning on mentors and co-workers to be the best teacher I can be.-2024-25 FELLOW
How does the Fellowship Work?
The Teaching Fellowship is a one-year, part-time position. Fellows are placed in an elementary classroom (K-5) and work each day from 7:45 am to 12:30 pm under the guidance of a mentor teacher.
As a Fellow, you will:
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Shadow and support lead teacher
- Participate in whole-class lessons and activities
- Provide small group and individual instruction
- Plan and teach lessons
- Help supervise lunch, recess, and transitions
One afternoon a week, Fellows meet in a seminar to explore aspects of teaching and learning. This cohort model is intentionally designed to encourage Fellows to learn from one another and support each other in their education. Seminars often include classroom observations and presentations by faculty members from GFS. Recent seminar topics have included lesson planning, understanding student behavior, partnering with parents, and culturally responsive pedagogy.
In addition to a part-time salary, Fellows receive a stipend for participating in the program and partial tuition support for their graduate studies. The position begins in late August and runs through mid-June of the next year.
How do I Apply?
To apply, please fill out the application, which includes a cover letter, resume, and three references. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until all spots are filled, with priority given to those received by March 1st. Initial interviews will be conducted over Zoom. Finalists who are selected to continue the process will be invited to visit the campus in person.
We encourage you to explore the rest of the GFS website to learn more about our school. Thank you for your interest in our program!
For more information, please contact teachingfellowship@germantownfriends.org.
Who is this Fellowship For?
Candidates must be college graduates who are committed to working with children. Enrollment in a graduate program in education is expected. Although our program is not directly affiliated with a university, we can typically arrange for Fellows to fulfill their student teaching requirements during their placement.
Novice teachers and career-changers are encouraged to apply, particularly those who may be unfamiliar with an independent school environment. We actively seek candidates from diverse backgrounds.
Where do our Fellows go?
Our 2024-25 Teaching Fellows have all been hired by independent schools, in both elementary and middle school positions. They have either completed or are nearing completion of their Master’s degrees.
Meet the 2025-26 Fellows
Raymond Burton is a student at Arcadia University. He works with Celia Cruz in first grade. He has been a Head Start teacher and will earn his Master’s degree with certification in elementary education in May 2026.
Kate Henderson is a Master of Education student at the University of Pennsylvania. She works with Tim Jones in the second grade and also coaches the track and cross-country teams. She has a background in public health research.
Colin Riley ‘18 was a lifer at GFS and is now a student at the University of Pennsylvania’s Urban Teaching Residency program. He has been a second-grade teaching assistant and now works as a fellow in Sarah Pacifico’s fourth-grade classroom. He also coaches track and cross-country.
I appreciate the chance to see what we’re taught in graduate school put to use, get many opportunities to practice effective strategies, and receive on-the-spot support and feedback! Invaluable feedback!-2025-26 FELLOW
Meet the Program Leaders
The founders of the program patterned the Teaching Fellowship after their own experiences. They were each enrolled in their respective graduate programs while also practicing in the classroom under the mentorship of an experienced teacher. The Teaching Fellowship at GFS reflects what they learned and continue to learn about pedagogy and exemplary teaching practices. They are delighted to help develop the next generation of educators.
Dr. Zarah Adams (right) is the Director of Community Engagement at GFS, an adjunct professor in the School of Education at a local university, and an experienced educator in both public and independent schools. Dr. Zarah holds a Bachelor of Arts from Pennsylvania State University, a Master of Arts in Education from La Salle University, a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Arcadia University, and Pennsylvania State Certifications in Elementary Education, Special Education, and as a Principal.
Jenny Stetzer Goldberg ‘95 (left) is the Lower School literacy specialist for grades 3-5. Before that, she worked as an elementary school classroom teacher for many years, and also taught middle school history and English. She earned her B.A. from Harvard University and her M.Ed. through Lesley University and Shady Hill School’s Teacher Training Center.
For more information, please contact teachingfellowship@germantownfriends.org.