We're Looking for Individuals With the Potential to Develop:
Content Knowledge for Teaching
Knowles seeks Fellowship candidates who have exceptional content knowledge in the area they intend to teach and who also have the capacity and drive to develop the specialized content knowledge needed to carry out the work of teaching. A strong foundation of knowledge in the discipline is a necessary first step for developing the content knowledge needed for teaching; hence we seek candidates who have at least the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in a discipline related to the subject(s) they intend to teach, who demonstrate a flexibility within and connectedness across their own understanding of the discipline, who are passionate about the discipline, and who have a desire to continue to push their own understanding of even basic concepts within the discipline.
Exemplary Teaching Practices
Knowles Teaching Fellowships are explicitly designed to support beginning high school teachers; hence we are seeking candidates who are committed to working with adolescents and teaching math or science at the high school level. We do not expect candidates to display a mastery of teaching when they apply. Rather, we are seeking candidates who understand that teaching is highly complex, intellectually challenging work and recognize that, regardless of other experiences they may have had, it will take them considerable time and effort to become outstanding teachers.
Qualities of a Teacher Leader
Knowles is committed to strengthening the teaching profession by identifying and supporting outstanding teachers who can serve as leaders from within the teaching profession. These teacher leaders are capable of contributing to and supporting collaborative work in schools, supporting collective learning including the generation of knowledge about and for the profession, and assuming responsibility for serving and supporting others. We seek candidates who have the potential to become leaders who serve as agents of educational improvement for students within their classrooms, schools, communities, and the profession.