Program Overview

The Inspired Teacher Certification Program is a state-accredited 24-month teacher preparation program that recruits, selects, prepares, supports, and certifies highly qualified individuals who wish to serve the children of the District of Columbia as teachers. Inspired Teaching Fellows begin their teaching career with a Residency year, working under the guidance of a Lead Teacher, gaining the knowledge and experience to enable a smooth transition into their teaching career. Then, in the Fellowship year, Fellows, as teachers of record in their own DC classroom, continue taking coursework and receive increased mentoring. The Inspired Teacher Certification Program prepares educators in two areas: Early Childhood and Elementary Education.


Inspired Teaching Fellows complete considerable coursework as well as a supervised teaching practicum. Fellows are provided with ongoing mentoring and benefits.  

The Inspired Teacher Certification Program timeline:

  • The program begins with a Summer Institute, a three-week induction experience that combines intensive coursework and training.
  • Upon admission into the program and successful completion of all required exams and the Summer Institute, Inspired Teaching Fellows-in-Residence are placed at the Inspired Teaching Demonstration Public Charter School or Capital City Public Charter School for a one-year Residency position.
  • After successfully completing the Residency year, Center for Inspired Teaching works with Fellows to secure a lead teacher position in a DC public or public charter school.
  • During the second summer, Fellows participate in a Summer Teaching Practicum, designed to prepare individuals to be lead teachers in their own classroom. The summer session includes advanced coursework and student teaching.
  • Inspired Teaching Fellows commit to a minimum of three years of teaching in a DC public or charter school upon graduation from the program.

Benefits of Inspired Teaching Residency Model:

  • Spending a year as a Fellow-in-Residence provides a unique opportunity to be prepared to teach from within the classroom - something that most traditional graduate programs do not provide. Residents will receive practical training, classroom experience, and in depth coursework, preparing them for a lead teacher job the following year.
  • Residents have a full year to develop the skills of engaging diverse students, managing a classroom, and planning an effective lesson. Residents are able to use their in-class experience to better frame their coursework in light of their real-world experience as they enter their Fellowship year as teachers of record.
  • Residents experience a coherent, integrated training grounded in a rich and research-based philosophy of teaching and learning. Research shows that a Residency year and mentoring during the new teacher’s early and most difficult few years decreases the likelihood that they will leave the profession and reduces the investment that school districts need to put into training new teachers.
  • During the Residency year, participants work in the same classroom with an experienced Lead Teacher. Through this experience, Residents are able to see quality teaching in action, and bounce ideas off of a fellow educator. Residents and Lead Teachers follow a structured gradual release of responsibility process, guiding the Resident into the role of lead teacher. 
  • Intensive mentoring is an essential component of the Inspired Teacher Certification Program.  Mentors meet with Inspired Teaching Residents weekly, observe their classes, and offer constructive feedback, coaching, and personal support.
  • Innovative and interactive coursework is ongoing throughout the two years of the program. Courses occur in the evenings, and on some Saturdays.
  • Fellows can access partnerships with local universities to simultaneously earn a master’s degree. Fellows may transfer Inspired Teaching coursework credits to either Trinity University to earn a Master of Arts in Teaching or American University, to earn a Master of Arts in Education. By taking additional university coursework during the Fellowship year of the program, Fellows can complete the degrees within the 24-month program, or choose to extend coursework beyond the program.
  • During the Residency year, participants will receive access to AmeriCorps member benefits for service, including loan deferment and a $5,550 educational award, which can be used to pay back student loans, or for future educational expenses, including tuition at our partner universities.
  • Tuition for the Inspired Teacher Certification Program is $22,000, which is awarded through a loan from Center for Inspired Teaching. Inspired Teaching will provide loan forgiveness  for the entire loan amount to teachers in the 2012 cohort who successfully complete the 24-month program. 
  • During the Residency year, participants teach under a DC Regular I provisional licensure. Upon successful completion of the program, Fellows are eligible for a DC Regular II license, a 4-year renewable teacher certification.
  • Placement at Inspired Teaching Demonstration Public Charter School or Capital City Public Charter School provides training in an innovative urban school that values creative teaching and is dedicated to supporting new teachers.
  • Residents are part of a highly supportive community of a small, close-knit cohort of new teachers.