Apply to TIP

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Please read the information below before applying.

Fall Workshops

Who is eligible

Full-time K-12 teachers from the School District of Philadelphia, in district-managed or charter schools

Who is not eligible

  • Part-time or substitute teachers

Responsibilities of the Participants

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 relationship with colleagues throughout the District. Benefits also include a $400 stipend and 8 Act 48 credits for completing a 4-session workshop. To receive these benefits, Fellows must engage in rigorous study and write a curriculum module (typically 3-5 pages in length) 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:

  1. Complete all required readings (usually two hours or more each week) and come prepared for each weekly session.
  2. Participate in the lively exchange of ideas focused on the required reading.
  3. Attend a writing session, usually the third session of the workshop
  4. Write a curriculum module that meets program guidelines.
  5. Revise and rewrite as needed to meet the standards set by the workshop leader.
  6. Meet with their workshop leader to discuss the draft of their module.
  7. At the conclusion of the program, complete a questionnaire on the TIP experience.
  8. Implement the curriculum module during the year following the workshop.

TIP Calendar

  • Applications will be due Friday, October 2
  • We will notify applicants whether they have been accepted the following week
  • Workshop meetings will run late October through mid-November
  • The third workshop session will be a peer-led writing session during which teachers will develop a draft of their module
  • Final drafts will be due during the last workshop session
  • Stipends and Act 48 credits will be awarded in December

Completing a TIP Application

Applications ask for the following:

  • Contact information
  • The candidate’s current teaching role and teaching history
  • The candidate’s choice of workshops. Each candidate will be required to select a first- and second-choice workshop. Many workshops are interdisciplinary, so a candidate may select one that does not coincide precisely with their teaching area.
  • Each candidate is asked to have their principal complete a review form indicating their approval of their enrollment in the TIP program.

The application form is here

Spring Seminars

Who is eligible

Full-time K-12 teachers from non-charter schools in the School District of Philadelphia

Who is not eligible

  • Teachers from charter, private, or parochial 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 following September after the seminar 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 relationship with colleagues throughout the District. Benefits also include a $1,500 stipend and 30 Act 48 credits for completing a 15-week seminar. To receive these benefits, Fellows must engage in rigorous study and write a curriculum unit (typically 15-25 pages in length) 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:

  1. Complete all required readings (usually two hours or more each week) and come prepared for each weekly session.
  2. Participate in the lively exchange of ideas focused on the required reading.
  3. Write a curriculum unit that meets program guidelines.
  4. Revise and rewrite as needed to meet the standards set by the seminar leader.
  5. Schedule individual meetings with the seminar leader to discuss each draft of the unit.
  6. At the conclusion of the program, complete a detailed written evaluation of the TIP experience.
  7. Implement the curriculum unit developed in the seminar program during the year following the seminar.

TIP Calendar

Preliminary applications will be due Friday October 9. Those deemed eligible will be asked to complete a second application, due Friday, November 20. We will notify applicants whether they have been accepted in December of 2025. Seminar meetings will begin in mid-January 2026 and continue through mid-May, excluding spring recess and school or university holidays. Curriculum units must be completed by the end of June.

Completing a TIP Application

Preliminary applications ask for the following:

  • Contact information.
  • The candidate’s current teaching role and teaching history.
  • The candidate’s choice of seminars. Each candidate will be required to select a first- and second-choice seminar. Seminars are interdisciplinary, so a candidate may select one that does not coincide precisely with their teaching area.

Those invited to complete a second round application will have the opportunity to explain how they would apply the material from each seminar to their teaching. We will also ask teachers to obtain their principal’s signature on an approval form, certifying that their proposed topic is in accordance with both the curriculum of the School District and program of the individual school.

Applications will be evaluated by a committee consisting of teacher representatives and TIP’s Director.

The application form is here