Martinez Fellowship Program

The Martinez Fellowship Program

What is the Martinez Fellowship Program?

The Martinez Fellowship Program (MFP) was established in 2008 by Holli and Edgar Martinez and is managed by Network for EdWork, powered by TAF. The fellowship’s original mission was to impact Washington’s achievement gap by improving teacher diversity and retaining teachers of color. Fellows receive early career coaching, ongoing professional development, mentorship, and possible University-sponsored financial assistance.

TAF is the only non-profit organization in the state committed to improving teacher diversity and retaining teachers of color in their profession. TAF does this by providing Fellows with the opportunity to network and collaborate with other teachers of color in a trusted community, along with providing high-quality professional development designed to complement their university instruction and other district or state support.

Martinez Fellows are exceptional teachers and leaders in education and are committed to the highest standards of professionalism and excellence in the profession. Fellows are committed to the success of every student in their classrooms, passionately committed to social justice in education, and eager to engage in pursuing excellence within an ongoing collaborative learning community with other Fellows. Fellows come from various experiences and communities yet come together around their shared passion for teaching through a multicultural lens and eliminating the opportunity gap in Washington State’s most underserved schools.

Benefits of the Martinez Fellowship program

• Opportunities to network and collaborate with other teachers of color in a trusted community
• 3-day Annual Fellow Summit in the summer
• Four Saturday professional development seminars throughout the school year
• Early career coaching and support
• Leadership opportunities within and outside of the program
• In addition to these benefits offered by TAF/ Martinez, Antioch is waiving the tuition for 5 credits of student teaching

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Understanding the Commitment of Becoming a Martinez Fellow

Martinez Fellows agree to:

• Work as educators in Washington State K-12 public schools immediately upon graduation from their teaching program. Fellows must commit to teaching for at least three years, preferably longer.
• Attend and participate in the annual Martinez Fellowship Summit. Attendance is mandatory for first and second-year Fellows (Preservice and first-year teachers). Attendance in the third year and beyond is voluntary but strongly encouraged.
• Participate in the Saturday Professional Development Seminars which are held 4 times over the course of the school year. Physical attendance is mandatory for first and second-year Fellows (Preservice and first-year teachers). Attendance in the third year and beyond is strongly encouraged; opportunities are available for Fellows to lead Seminar workshops and discussions!
• Professional standards of conduct and punctuality are expected at Martinez Fellowship events.
• Serve as a role model as a professional educator and agree to help mentor and collaborate with other Fellows to improve K-12 teaching.
• Maintain accurate contact and work-site information, including email address, phone number, home address, district, school, grade/subject.
• Participate in program surveys and/or research inquiries to help TAF learn more about teacher education, teacher effectiveness, and how to shape the Martinez Fellows program to recruit and retain future teacher candidates.
• Give permission to TAF to promote award recipients’ names and bios on TAF’s website, in press releases, print brochures, video clips, and by introducing them at TAF sponsored events.
• Participate in Community Events throughout the year and/or host events for other Fellows to attend.

The Application Process:

Criteria for selection as a Martinez Fellow :

• Successful admission to Antioch University Seattle’s Master of Arts in Teaching program.
• Identify racially as a person of color (those who self-identify racially as non-white)
• Demonstrate a commitment to social justice.
• Willingness to sign a contract agreeing to
  • Teach for 3 years in a Washington public school (preferably in a diverse, high-needs school) and;
  • Participate in program professional development opportunities.
• Experience with school-age youth, education, youth development, social services or related field

To apply

• Due Date: May 15, 2024
• The application includes an Application, Resume, and Essay.
  • Complete Application: https://techaccess.org/martinezfellows/apply/
  • Resume: A current resume must be submitted with your essay.
  • Interview: An interview panel consisting of TAF staff and a university staff/faculty member will conduct 1-hour interviews with candidate finalists.

Questions

Please contact Heather Cheney ([email protected]@antioch.edu) with any questions.