The Teachers Institute of Philadelphia (TIP) invites teachers from around the School District of Philadelphia to participate in its spring 2025 Seminar Program. Fellows will acquire cutting-edge knowledge from university professors and write lesson plans based on the material they have learned. The lesson plans will fit into teachers’ required instructional sequence, and will cover District, state and national curriculum standards.
A listing of the spring 2025 seminars can be found here.
Please read the information below before applying. The application form can be found here.
Preliminary applications due Tuesday, October 22 at 11:59pm.
Who is eligible
Full-time K-12 teachers District-managed schools in the School District of Philadelphia.
Who is not eligible
- Teachers from private, parochial or charter schools.
- Teachers who are not certified.
- Part-time or substitute teachers.
- Teachers who plan to leave the School District of Philadelphia due to retirement or for other reasons by the September following the workshop sessions. Fellows must be able to teach the curriculum unit they write in TIP in the SDP in the school year following the seminar.
Responsibilities of the Fellows
The TIP program offers Fellows many benefits, including the opportunity to learn with a renowned university scholar and the chance to exchange ideas and build a collaborative relationships with colleagues throughout the district. Benefits also include a $1500 stipend and 30 Act 48 credits upon completion of all seminar requirements. To receive these benefits, Fellows must engage in rigorous study and write a curriculum unit that they can use in their classroom. Before applying to the program, teachers should consider carefully whether they are able fulfill these responsibilities. The following are the specific requirements for completing the TIP program:
- Complete all required readings (usually two hours or more each week) and come prepared for each weekly session.
- Participate in the lively exchange of ideas focused on the required reading.
- Write a curriculum unit that meets program guidelines.
- As needed, schedule individual meetings with the seminar leader to discuss each draft of the lesson plan.
- At the conclusion of the program, complete an evaluation of the TIP experience.
- Implement the curriculum unit in the academic year following the end of the seminar and complete an evaluation on your experience.
TIP Calendar
The application process has two parts. First round applications will determine eligibility and will be available Tuesday, September 3, 2024. The deadline for the first round will be Tuesday, October 22. Those deemed eligible will be invited to complete a second, narrative application by Tuesday, November 26. We will notify applicants whether they have been accepted by mid-December. Seminar meetings will begin in January 2025 and continue through May, excluding spring recess and school or university holidays. Curriculum units must be completed by June 26.
Completing a TIP Application
First round applications ask for the following:
- Contact information.
- The candidate’s current teaching role and teaching certification.
- The seminar selection.
Applications will be evaluated by a committee consisting of teacher representatives and TIP’s Director.