The NYC Teaching Fellows is an alternative certification program that focuses on education quality in New York City public schools by attracting mid-career professionals, recent graduates, and retirees from all over the country.

Fellows are eligible for a fast track into full-time teaching positions in New York City public schools following pre-service training.

[4] Since 2000, the NYC Teaching Fellows program has helped to staff the highest need subject areas in New York City’s highest-need schools.

[6] For Fellows, this means they must obtain a full-time teaching position at a NYC public school and must be working toward a master's degree in education.

[3] A recently released report published by the Urban Institute credits the NYC Teaching Fellows for improving teacher quality in high-need schools in New York City, and consequently, helping to close the opportunity gap and produce better outcomes for students.

[9] After successfully completing pre-service training, Fellows are eligible to secure a full-time teaching position at a NYC public school.

The United Federation of Teachers filed a lawsuit against the Department of Education, maintaining that the Fellows without an official placement, many of whom were still teaching full course loads, should not be laid off.