Educator Project FAQ

We are currently located in Brooklyn, NY. As we launch the incubator, we will be focused on serving students in the New York metropolitan area.

If you live outside the greater NYC area and would like to learn more about the potential for our future expansion, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Required time commitment to the FLI Ed Project fluctuates throughout the program, with the most support being provided during Stage 1.

Stage 1: If selected, you should anticipate this stage of the program, you will be required to attend 10 (ten) 3-hour-long-sessions over the course of 3 weeks. Schedules for these sessions will be provided once you are invited to join a cohort.

Stage 2: After cohort members have obtained roles in host schools as entry-level teachers, the schedule for FLI Ed Project will shift drastically, requiring that cohort members attend one monthly meeting with the rest of the cohort. Additionally, weekly teacher certification preparation classes will be opt-in for all candidates based on their area of focus for teacher certification.

Stage 3: Once cohort members have obtained certification they will be invited to attend a week-long summer leadership intensive. This 4-day retreat will be followed by individual coaching and support, but will be the end of required attendance at Ed Project events.

Office hours will be provided weekly for all cohort members at all stages, but will not be required. During these sessions we will provide personalized support in resume-writing and editing, coaching and practice for job interviews, and other supports in relation to the professional development that is happening throughout the project. Leadership mentoring and career coaching options will play a critical role in helping you to secure a fulfilling position as an urban public school leader.

Note that some host schools may require an additional time commitment during stages 2-3.

It is critical to your success as a cohort member that you are able to dedicate the required time to the FLI Educator Project, however we will consider some exceptions for educators that are already working in the field or someone serving in the military.

FLI will work to have flexible scheduling (after-school, weekend, and summer hours) for stages 2-3 of our programs.

Unless you already have a placement as a teacher resident, intern, assistant, or fellow, we will be unable to make exceptions for applicants who are unable to dedicate time in Stage 1 of the FLI Ed Project programming.

We stand by our mission and will be dedicated to supporting you in securing a future as a leader in the education sector. If you are unable to secure a position, you will remain in Stage 1 of the program, with coaching, mentoring, and support, for as long as you would like.

We will help you to explore reasons that a position has not been offered, and look for additional roles that might be a better fit, which may not be limited to teaching roles. Many effective, passionate, and visionary education reformers work in schools in operations or other support roles that are critical to student success and for this reason, each instance of non-hire will be addressed on a case-by-case basis with individualized support from the FLI team.

You do not have to be a recent college graduate, however, all applicants must be able to provide college transcripts which reflect a GPA of 3.0 or greater and either proof of graduation, or proof of anticipated graduation date for at least a Bachelor’s degree.

No. We are an equal-opportunity organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, creed, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, diability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status or any of its activities or operations.

No. We do not guarantee any paid positions to any cohort members at any time. We will support our members to secure their own positions in schools, and we will work with our partners to ensure that we are providing robust professional development to support our members in obtaining paid positions.

Absolutely! If your personal passions and long-term career goals are aligned to our work, we would like to get to know you! We believe that the best educators learn and grow, and we want to be a part of that process with you. Please do not hesitate to reach out during the next round!

Unfortunately, at this time FLI is unable to pay for this, or any other expense (fingerprinting, copies of transcripts, graduate school application fees).  We hope that in the future we will be able to support with these requests through the contributions of our generous supporters.

Although we cannot provide funding in this area, we will be able to support all cohort members navigate certification requirements, including helping to make connections with other services, and working with you and your host school to ensure that payment is not a barrier to moving forward as a certified teacher.

No. FLI does not pay for coursework for our cohort members. Many host schools have this as a component of their competitive salary packages for entry-level educators. FLI will provide support and coaching in selecting host schools that you will apply to based on your specific needs, including any financial barriers to accepting some positions.

No. We will never charge you to be a part of our Educator Project.

FLI is a nonprofit organization that is seeking ways to fund change in urban education.  We are working on the process to secure grants that will allow us to provide our support free of charge to collaborative members, and we do charge partner schools for our consultancy services.

If you are in a position to donate to support our work, please contribute though a tax-deductible donation.

Absolutely! We would love to support you in furthering your career in education, and ensuring that you are on a leadership trajectory within your host school. Based on your current situation, you may be eligible to join stage 2 or stage 3 cohorts, or you may be asked to attend stage 1. If you are in this situation, please be sure to include a note about your current role in the “additional comments” section of our application.

Absolutely! We would love to support you in furthering your career in education, and ensuring that you are on a leadership trajectory within your host school. Based on your current situation and credentials, you may be eligible to join stage 2 or stage 3 cohorts. When applying, please be sure to include a note about your current role in the “additional comments” section of our application.

Most of our connections and partnerships are with NYC public charter schools serving grades PK-12, however there may be other opportunities within NYC Department of Education Schools – we will support each member in selecting a school that provides a career trajectory that is aligned with your personal philosophy and goals.

Wile you can apply at any time (applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis), we anticipate having 2 cohorts each year, beginning with Stage 1, in January, and May. Based on a high volume of interested and qualified applicants, FLI will consider an additional cohort beginning with Stage 1 in September.