Applicants • Interviews, School Observations, and Seminar Visits

The Peace Corps Fellows Program strongly recommends that all applicants who are seriously considering attending Teachers College schedule an Interview and a School Observation.  The best time to visit is anytime from September to February of the year the applicant is planning to apply.  We also encourage you to schedule both the interview and the school observation on the same day.  Typically, an applicant will observe a fellow teaching in the morning or afternoon and interview with a staff member afterward.  The Peace Corps Fellows Seminar attendance is optional, but some applicants have been able to attend to all three obligations in one day.

Interviews

The applicant will be interviewed by someone from the Peace Corps Fellows Program staff.  Please bring your resume and any other supplementary materials you wish to share with your interviewer.  The interview is approximately one-hour long.  Interviews by phone can also be arranged for applicants who are out of the country between September and February.

School Observations

The Peace Corps Fellows Program strongly recommends that all applicants schedule a school visit with a current fellow teaching in the subject and grade level the applicant is applying for.  During the visit, the applicant will have the opportunity to ask the current fellow questions about the program, New York City Schools, time management, courses at Teachers College, etc.  It would be helpful to prepare a set of questions for the current fellow before the school observation.

Peace Corps Fellows Seminars

The current Peace Corps Fellows are required to attend Professional Development Seminars that are held on Friday evenings once a month.  Seminar topics range from classroom management to service-learning methods to New York State Certification.  These seminars change every year and are tailored to the specific needs of the fellows.  Applicants are welcome to observe the seminars and meet other fellows in the intended program.  Dinner is provided.