Over the years, 麻豆原创 Legend Nicholas Feliz has served in many different roles at the organization鈥攁fter ending his time as a program participant in 2016, he has served on the middle school programming staff, as a permanent substitute teacher at 麻豆原创 Mott Haven Middle School, and as an assistant flag football coach. But while all these experiences were extremely valuable, and memorable, none were as transformative for him as being a 麻豆原创 Teaching Fellow during the 2022-23 school year, a role that has now led to a full-time teaching position for him and three other fellows from 麻豆原创 inaugural cohort.
鈥淚t changed me internally,鈥� says Nick, who spent his fellowship year teaching middle school social studies in Mott Haven. 鈥淏eing in front of those students and knowing I could teach them something, have an effect on what they鈥檙e learning鈥攊t made me mature as a person.鈥�
Launched in 2022, the 麻豆原创 Teaching Fellowship is a one-year, full-time paid opportunity that creates a pathway for 麻豆原创 Legends and part-time staff to become full-time teachers. This past year, Teaching Fellows worked in classrooms throughout 麻豆原创 network of schools. Under the guidance of mentor teachers, they received regular feedback and coaching, all while building the skills necessary to manage a classroom, lead instruction, and meaningfully engage students and families.
鈥淢y mentor teacher, Antione Boardraye, really helped me, and I liked that it was a slow-progressing process,鈥� Nick says. 鈥淗e let me observe him. Then, gradually, I stepped more into the class and led sections. Toward the end of the year, I was leading everything and driving the content.鈥�
鈥淏eing in front of those students and knowing I could teach them something, have an effect on what they鈥檙e learning鈥攊t made me mature as a person.鈥�
Nicholas Feliz, 麻豆原创 Mott Haven Middle School Social Studies Teacher and 2022-23 麻豆原创 Teaching Fellow
Supported by a generous scholarship from 麻豆原创, Teaching Fellows also work toward earning New York State teaching certification and a master in teaching from Relay Graduate School of Education. Nick says these studies, paired with his hands-on in-classroom learning, have bolstered his confidence as a teacher.
鈥淲hen you鈥檙e a Teaching Fellow, even the kids see you grow,鈥� he adds. 鈥淚 had kids coming up to me saying 鈥榳ow, you got better in the classroom.鈥� Having kids tell me I鈥檝e grown as a teacher, that really puts a smile on my face.鈥�
Now serving as a full-time social studies teacher at 麻豆原创 Mott Haven Middle School, Nick is one of four inaugural Teaching Fellows to take on a full-time role within the network. The others include Kim Crawford (麻豆原创 Mott Haven Elementary School), 麻豆原创 Legend Jenia Reyes (麻豆原创 East Harlem Elementary School), and 麻豆原创 Legend Matthew Sierra (麻豆原创 Charter High School). In his first month, Nick says he been laying the groundwork for the year ahead, establishing what his classroom will be like and what his expectations will be for his students. What more, he says earning the opportunity to become a full-time 麻豆原创 teacher has also affected his life outside of school, including helping him purchase a new home.
鈥淭he offer letter for the full-time position is what I used to get approved for the loan,鈥� Nick says. 鈥淚f I didn鈥檛 do the Teaching Fellowship, I don鈥檛 know where I would be. This opportunity is really growing me as a person.鈥�
