Creating immediate impact in high-needs schools
Each year, the UNC School of Education graduates many of North Carolina's most effective educators.
Research has shown a UNC-prepared teacher can mean additional months of student learning achieved beyond an expected number of months of learning. Larger gains, according to the report, were among students from economically disadvantaged populations and from struggling schools.
The Fellows for Inclusive Excellence can create exponential impact in North Carolina's rural, disadvantaged schools.
New bridges to rural communities across North Carolina
UNC School of Education graduates serve in schools across North Carolina, but the majority work in more urban districts compared to rural ones. As of fall 2023, nearly 350 alumni work in Chapel Hill-Carrboro and Orange County schools. More than 700 in Wake County's schools. Only 12 work in Person County, 91 in Chatham County.
Yet, Person and Chatham Counties are within drivable distances for Carolina-prepared educators to create great impact in the lives of students and communities. Roxboro in Person County and downtown Greensboro are equidistant from Chapel Hill. Siler City in Chatham and downtown Raleigh are also equidistant from Chapel Hill.
Who is eligible to become a Fellow for Inclusive Excellence and what does the program provide?
Students in the School of Education's Master of Arts in Teaching and School Counseling programs and recent graduates of those programs, Class of 2018 to present, may apply to become Fellows for Inclusive Excellence.
If selected as a Fellow, a UNC School of Education student will:
Enroll in coursework to become a teacher or a school counselor
Serve as either a student teacher or school counselor-in-training in a Title 1 school in Person or Chatham Counties or in Carolina Community Academy
Receive funding that covers tuition, fees, and travel expenses
*After graduation, student Fellows may apply to continue as graduate Fellows.
If selected as a Fellow, a recent graduate will:
Serve as either a teacher or school counselor in a Title 1 school in Person or Chatham Counties or in Carolina Community Academy
Receive a generous stipend (Each year, until the end of the program's fourth year, Fellows who remain in their schools will receive an increasing stipend.)
Rural vs. Urban: School of Education alumni serving N.C. schools
717 Alumni
12 Alumni
349 Alumni
91 Alumni
The Fellows for Inclusive Excellence program does not signal that urban districts do not need high-quality educators or that rural ones do not already have high-quality educators. It signals that the UNC School of Education can help to create greater impact in rural, Title 1 schools in the counties around us.Fouad Abd-El-Khalick
Dean and Alumni Distinguished Professor
Become a highly effective educator
Are you an aspiring educator? The UNC School of Education offers top preparation programs for teachers and school counselors. If you want to serve students in rural communities and are accepted into either of our programs, you may be eligible to join the Fellows for Inclusive Excellence.
Accepting alumni applications for Fellows for Inclusive Excellence
Are you a UNC School of Education teaching or school counseling alum who graduated between 2018-present? You may be eligible to join the Fellows for Inclusive Excellence, serving students in Chatham County Schools or Person County Schools or at Carolina Community Academy.