Teach Minnesota Teaching Fellows offers an accelerated path to the classroom for career changers, recent graduates and graduating seniors—specifically designed for those without prior teaching experience.
This non-profit teacher prep program, approved by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board and operated by TNTP, provides an affordable pathway to your initial Minnesota teaching license, particularly for aspiring educators from underrepresented backgrounds.
Fellows serve schools across the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota, helping address the state’s teacher shortage and diversify the educator workforce. Over half of Teach Minnesota Fellows identify as people of color.
College or University
Minneapolis
Program Achievements & Impact
Built on a proven national Teaching Fellows model with a track record of success.
This model has trained nearly 40,000 teachers across 25 states.
Teach Minnesota Teaching Fellows is an alternative teacher preparation program designed to expand the pipeline of excellent educators serving schools across the Twin Cities. You can earn a Minnesota teaching license in elementary education (kindergarten- grade 6) or special education (kindergarten- grade 12), as an Academic and Behavioral Strategist.
Here’s what to expect in the special education pathway:
Complete summer pre-service training (view detailed deadlines here)
Start teaching right away in one of the program’s partner schools
Hold a Tier 2 Minnesota teaching license and serve as the main classroom teacher
Receive ongoing support from experienced coaches, take coursework related to your subject area and follow a clear, step-by-step path toward earning your full Minnesota teaching license in special education as an Academic and Behavioral Strategist.
Other highlights include:
Financial assistance: Summer stipends and tuition assistance are available.
Accelerated licensure pathway: Earn your Tier 2 or Tier 3 Minnesota teaching license while teaching full-time.
Comprehensive training: Intensive pre-service training, coursework and individualized coaching.
Supportive community: Ongoing mentorship from coaches, school partners and peers.
Equity-driven focus: Prepares diverse, mission-driven educators to make a lasting impact in classrooms.
Immediate impact: Begin leading students while developing the knowledge, skills and habits of effective teachers.
Special Education: Academic and Behavioral Strategist (mild to moderate) (grades K-12)
Get Started
Dig deeper. Visit TNTP- Teach Minnesota Teaching Fellows 's website to learn more and apply.
Program Overview
Year One: Teaching in a Special Education Classroom
During your first year as a Fellow, you’ll teach full-time in a special education classroom while learning on the job. You’ll receive regular feedback through observations and coaching focused on helping students succeed with strong instruction, high expectations and engaging lessons. You’ll complete weekly evening classes, online coursework and participate in two formal evaluations to track growth and readiness for full Minnesota teacher licensure.
Year Two: Special Education Coursework and Support
In year two, you’ll complete online coursework focused on supporting students with disabilities. You’ll also join quarterly sessions with special education experts to get help with real classroom challenges. These sessions offer guidance on instruction, case management and problem-solving. You’ll continue working in schools while building the skills needed to become a licensed special education teacher.
Program Hallmarks
The best way to learn to teach is by teaching. That’s why hands-on experience is the core of the Teach Minnesota Teaching Fellows program:
Pre-service training (summer launch): Before stepping into your own classroom, you’ll participate in an intensive summer training where you practice lesson delivery, receive immediate feedback from experienced coaches and work directly with students. This builds confidence and sets a strong foundation for your first year of teaching.
Lead teaching from day one: Unlike traditional programs where candidates gradually take on responsibility, you’ll serve as the teacher of record in a partner school from the start of the school year. This immersive experience accelerates growth and provides real-world opportunities to apply instructional strategies with support.
The Teach Minnesota Teaching Fellows program prepares you to support diverse learners through culturally responsive coursework and coaching.
You’ll complete sessions on literacy, special education, multilingual learners and trauma-informed practices.
Coaching emphasizes grade-level content, high expectations and deep engagement.
Weekly seminars and targeted support help you tailor instruction to meet the academic, social and emotional needs of all students.
The Teach Minnesota Teaching Fellows program is a coaching-centered program that believes teachers learn best by teaching.
You’ll receive consistent, data-driven feedback through bimonthly observations and intensive coaching cycles.
Coaches collaborate closely with school-based mentors to ensure feedback is aligned and focused on growth. This partnership supports you in meeting instructional goals and student needs.
After graduation, you’ll continue to benefit from school-based coaching and leadership development opportunities.
Teach Minnesota, operated by The New Teacher Project, uses a multi-method evaluation system to continuously improve its teacher residency program.
The program collects feedback from Fellows, alumni and school leaders through surveys, focus groups and classroom observations.
The program is built on stakeholder voice and data-informed coaching.
Evaluation tools like the The New Teacher Project Core Rubric and other assessments help refine instruction, equity practices and program design to meet the needs of schools and communities.
