NATIONAL TEACHING FELLOWSHIP
2010-2011 SELECTION
Recommendation Form
Candidate Name:
Recommender Name:
Recommender Contact
Information:
Email
Telephone
Date:
TO SUBMIT: Please return this completed recommendation form, addressed to the Campus Recruitment Team via
email to crtjobs@citizenschools.org or by fax to 617-845-0335. Please use “NTF Reference for __________” as your
email subject or on your fax cover page. NOTE – References sent directly from the candidate are not considered
confidential, and will not be accepted as part of the application. Thank you very much for our time.
About CITIZEN SCHOOLS
Citizen Schools is a leading national education initiative that uniquely mobilizes thousands of adult volunteers to
help improve student achievement by teaching skill-building apprenticeships after-school. Our programs blend
these real-world learning projects with rigorous academic and leadership development activities, preparing students
in the middle grades for success in high school, college, the workforce, and civic life.
Launched in Boston in 1995, Citizen Schools currently serves 4,400 students and engages 3,400 volunteers
nationwide.
About the NATIONAL TEACHING FELLOWSHIP
The Citizen Schools National Teaching Fellowship is a two-year, paid service program that offers a
diverse range of experiences and hands-on leadership development to people of varied backgrounds who
have high potential as educators and community builders. The opportunity includes service as a team
leader at a Citizen Schools campus, professional development in partnership with a community
organization, and the opportunity for enrollment in a pioneering Master's program in out-of-school
learning.
National Teaching Fellow Roles
 TEAM LEADER and COMMUNITY BUILDER at a Citizen Schools campus. As part of a campus
team, Fellows plan and lead hands-on educational activities; design and teach curriculum; recruit
students and volunteers; engage parents and teachers; and foster partnerships with school faculty
and community organizations.
 INTERN with Citizen Schools, a partner school, or other community organization. Through a
morning partnership, Fellows build their professional skills in a nonprofit environment, bringing the
resources of their cities to urban children and their families.
 SCHOLAR engaged in ongoing professional development, including the opportunity to earn a
Master’s degree. Fellows receive training on teaching and instruction, curriculum design,
community development and mobilization as well as on leadership, management and other
professional skills. A partnership with Lesley University enables select Teaching Fellows to earn
Master’s in Education.
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National Teaching Fellow Qualifications
Successful Teaching Fellows possess a range of attributes, including:
 Knowledge of and commitment to the Citizen Schools mission
 Desire to work with middle schools students and their families in an urban environment
 Ability to build relationships and influence students, colleagues, and community members
 Capacity to build youth development and community building skills
 Strong professional skills, including teamwork, problem-solving, verbal and written communication,
detail-orientation, time management, and organization
 Demonstrated leadership ability and interest in education and community building
 Embodiment of Citizen Schools values: Pride, Joy, Respect, Courage, Teamwork, Perseverance, and Vision
RECOMMENDATION QUESTIONS
National Teaching Fellows who embody the following competencies have been the most successful in the Fellowship
and at Citizen Schools. These attributes form the basis of how we evaluate applicants throughout the National
Teaching Fellowship recruitment and hiring process.
Based on your knowledge of the candidate, please answer the following questions to the best of your ability:
1. How long have you known the candidate and in what context? What are his/her greatest strengths?
BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS AND INFLUENCING OTHERS
2. Tell me about your experience working with the candidate. Please incorporate your knowledge of the
candidate working in a team environment.
3. How does the candidate respond to stressful work environments?
PERSPECTIVE, INITIATIVE, AND PROBLEM-SOLVING
4. How would you describe the candidate’s problem-solving capabilities? How does s/he approach
unexpected challenges?
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Educating Youth, Strengthening Communities
www.citizenschools.org
5. Please tell me about a time when you gave the candidate negative feedback. How did s/he respond to
and integrate your suggestions?
INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP
6. What is the candidate’s biggest strength in working with a group of students/youth? Please use
examples.
7. What experience does the candidate have working with students in an academic environment, and
holding them to high expectations? Please use examples.
COMMUNITY BUILDING
8. What is the candidate’s capacity to work and/or communicate with people from backgrounds different
from his/her own?
9. Describe the candidate’s written and verbal communication skills. Please use examples.
SUMMARY
10. How does the candidate rank among other people you have worked with in a similar capacity?
Thank you for taking the time to recommend this candidate for the National Teaching Fellowship.
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Educating Youth, Strengthening Communities
www.citizenschools.org