In order to be eligible for the 2008-2009 Teaching Ambassador Fellowship, you must:

• Currently teach in a United States K-12 public school. This includes public charter schools.

• Have been teaching for at least three years (experience may include private and public schools, as long as you are currently teaching in a public school). If the 2007-2008 school year is your third year teaching, you are eligible.

• Be a Highly Qualified Teacher according to your State's regulations.

• Be a United States citizen.

• Obtain a statement of support from your principal indicating that your school/district will be willing to sign an Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) agreement for your participation in the program.

  • As a condition of participating in the Fellowship program, the school must guarantee the teacher a position of like seniority, pay, etc. on the termination of this assignment, and must agree that the teacher may retain benefits with the school during the period of employment with the U.S. Department of Education. The IPA mobility program provides for the temporary assignment of skilled personnel to or from state and local governments and certain other organizations to facilitate cooperation between the Federal government and the non-Federal entity and provide mutual benefits, for limited periods without loss of employee rights and benefits. Further information about the IPA program is available on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management website at http://www.opm.gov/programs/ipa/assignF.asp and http://www.opm.gov/programs/ipa/Mobility.asp.

Desirable applicants will:

• Have demonstrated meaningful impact on student achievement

• Have a record of leadership in the school and community settings

• Show potential for continued contribution to the field of education