Living in Phoenix offers a diverse community to call home. Not only is Phoenix the capitol of Arizona, but it is the fifth largest city in the United States. With almost 1.5 million residents, it continues to be one of the fastest growing cities in the country. Phoenix encompasses more than 500 square miles, geographically exceeding Los Angeles, CA in sheer size. The city of Phoenix is 34% Hispanic and has a deep cultural heritage. Fellows teach in our classrooms with diverse populations, with students from varying socioeconomic levels, cultural backgrounds, and English language skills.
With an average of over 300 sunny days a year, Phoenix is also known as “the Valley of the Sun”. Surrounded by vast expanses of desert and dramatic mountain ranges, Phoenix residents can take advantage of the area’s wealth of natural beauty to hike and explore.
“I decided to relocate for PhxTF because of the vastly different experience I would receive living and teaching in Phoenix as opposed to many other places. I wanted to teach in a place where I felt a little bit uncomfortable and challenged.”
- 2008 Phoenix Elementary School District Teaching Fellow
“I thought about relocating to Phoenix because I had lived in Florida my whole life and wanted to relocate to a different part of the country just to see what else the great United States has to offer… after visiting a few times, I really liked the area and lifestyle. I thought Phoenix would be a good place to relocate with the relatively low cost of living for such a big city with so much to offer in a short distance.”
- 2008 Murphy School District Teaching Fellow
Expand your horizons: Immerse yourself in the history, culture, and geography of Phoenix by exploring these attractions.
-
Heard Museum: Renowned for Native American art and culture exhibits
-
Phoenix Art Museum: The largest in the Southwest, featuring a permanent collection of 13,000 works ranging from contemporary art to Western classics
-
Arizona Science Center: Features a multitude of hands-on exhibits, a planetarium and large-screen theater
-
Rawhide Wild West Town: Family fun with a variety of rides, games, attractions, and authentic frontier dining
-
Scottsdale: Located just northeast of downtown Phoenix, many consider the eclectic city of Scottsdale the cultural heart of the Valley. It is home to over 60 resorts and spas, 120-plus art galleries, some 600 restaurants and nearly 200 golf courses. Downtown Scottsdale is also one of the most popular nightlife destinations with over upscale 30 nightspots, many of which are within walking distance of each other.
-
South Mountain Park: The largest municipal park in the nation, this 16,500-acre park (11 miles across) is home to a variety of animal wildlife and over 300 specimens of desert plants.
-
Phoenix Botanical Gardens: Nearly 20,000 plants can be seen along the four trails of the garden. The garden is also home to 139 rare, threatened and endangered plant species from around the world.
There are multiple cultural offerings in the Valley- from historic Heritage Square with Victorian buildings from the original town of Phoenix, to Pueblo Grande Museum and Archeological Park. Sports enthusiasts avidly follow basketball, football, and baseball with the Suns, Cardinals, and Diamondbacks.
In addition, the Phoenix’s downtown neighborhoods are experiencing a renaissance as the new Light Rail system nears completion. Art galleries, shops, and restaurants have opened throughout these neighborhoods, with lofts and condominiums above the storefronts. The Valley also hosted Super Bowl XLII at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale.
Visit the city website or one of the following links for more details about this expansive and diverse city.
www.AZCentral.com
www.PhoenixNewTimes.com
Make a difference in the lives of kindergarten - 8th grade students in Phoenix’s high-need schools. Phoenix Teaching Fellows will secure full-time teaching positions in one of our partner districts: Murphy Elementary School District, Phoenix Elementary School District, and Roosevelt School District. Current teachers, administrators and district staff are working hard to raise academic achievement in Phoenix. In 2008, 69% of Arizona fourth graders met proficient levels in reading – up from 52% in 2005. However, in 2008, only 58% of Hispanic fourth graders met proficient levels in reading. We know that we can do even more for our students. You can change these statistics for students in your classroom. Apply Today!
Murphy Elementary School District is made up of four schools. In many ways, the students in these schools represent both the rich diversity of our community and the urgent need for additional high quality teachers dedicated to closing the achievement gap. Murphy has a 57% poverty rate and a 40% mobility rate of families and students. The majority of students, 68%, speak Spanish with limited English proficiency.
In the words of Murphy Elementary School District's Superintendent, Dr. Paul B. Mohr, Jr.:
"Murphy School District is eager to welcome these high-achieving, motivated individuals to our community. They join the ranks of our dedicated teachers and staff, working diligently to provide all children with outstanding teaching and learning."
Phoenix Teaching Fellows will become a part of this drive towards excellent instruction and academic results. Learn more about Murphy schools by visiting Murphy Elementary School District’s website.
Phoenix Elementary School District and its 14 schools call upon Teaching Fellows to become a part of its efforts to close the achievement gap.
"In Phoenix Elementary District #1, we believe socio-economic factors do not affect the ability of a child to learn, nor will such factors impact our exemplary teaching efforts. Therefore, we welcome teachers who share our beliefs and are dedicated to exemplary teaching."
Ms. Myriam Roa, Superintendent of Phoenix Elementary, seeks to provide an A+ education for all students, by outlining clear expectations for student performance. Visit Phoenix Elementary School District’s website to learn more.
The Roosevelt School District provides K-8 instruction to a culturally diverse population of more than 12,000 students in 21 schools. Roosevelt has seen recent increases in student achievement and has focused energy on ensuring the district is bringing the best new teachers to all schools and students. Closing the achievement gap is central to Roosevelt's recent work and goals for the next five years.
In the words of Mary Beyda, Interim Superintendent of the Roosevelt School District:
"The Roosevelt School District is pleased to have Phoenix Teaching Fellows who are teaching in difficult to fill positions."
Roosevelt School District is committed to providing a safe, nurturing environment that fosters the continuous achievement of its students. Visit the Roosevelt School District website to learn more.
Teaching Fellows will teach the diverse students of Phoenix who need them the most. Fellows will teach in high-need schools throughout these school districts, where the need for highly qualified teachers is critical. Teachers in these schools must be especially committed to overcoming the challenges they face in helping their students achieve. The first year for any new teacher is challenging, and Fellows should anticipate an intense effort, especially at the beginning of the year.
A full teaching day is approximately seven and a half hours with students from start to finish. For example, a school day may run from 8:05 a.m. to 3:35 p.m. Beyond the school day with students, Fellows should also expect to spend a significant amount of time out of class preparing lessons, grading student work, and communicating with parents and guardians. They may have after-school meetings with school staff, their grade-level or subject team, or students’ family members. Fellows will also attend courses as they pursue their Arizona certification and Master of Education degree, as well as professional development activities to support their classroom efforts. The teaching profession demands a dedication to ongoing professional growth and a focus on student outcomes. The teaching profession rewards educators with the chance to have a real impact. Apply Now!
Want to learn more?
Click here to join us for an Information Session.
Tell a Friend!
Want to tell a friend about Phoenix Teaching Fellows?
Click here to send them an email.
Want to learn more?
Click here to join us for an Information Session.
Tell a Friend!
Want to tell a friend about Phoenix Teaching Fellows?
Click here to send them an email.
