Christine Gentry is helping steer a Yale-backed effort to prepare teachers for New Haven Public Schools at a time when the district is still facing shortages in math, science and special education. The Yale Teaching Fellowship pairs graduate study with classroom apprenticeship and asks fellows to commit to at least three years of service in NHPS.
Key facts
- The Yale Teaching Fellowship is a partnership between Yale, New Haven Public Schools, Southern Connecticut State University and New Haven Promise.
- The program is fully funded and supports graduate study plus structured apprenticeship for current and aspiring educators.
- YTF is designed to help fill shortage areas in math, science and special education in NHPS.
- The third cohort is accepting applications through January 1, 2027.
- Yale pledged $10 million over six years to support four cohorts and help fill up to 100 vacant NHPS teaching positions.
Who can apply, and what does the fellowship cover?
The fellowship is open to two groups: college graduates seeking teacher certification through the Teacher Pipeline Track, and certified teachers who want a cross-endorsement in special education through the Current Teachers Track. Yale pays full tuition, and pipeline fellows also receive a living stipend during the preparation year.
The program places fellows in NHPS classrooms for hands-on experience, regular one-on-one coaching and monthly professional development. Fellows complete graduate study through SCSU and, in exchange, commit to at least three years of service in NHPS after training.
- Deadline: January 1, 2027 for the third cohort.
- Location: New Haven, Connecticut.
- Focus areas: math, science and special education.
- Next step: Apply to the Yale Teaching Fellowship.
Why is the fellowship changing its timeline?
The program revised its schedule so fellows can complete the master’s degree in two years instead of 12 months. Gentry said the earlier version was too compressed, with six classes a semester and full-time classroom work, and the extra year is meant to reduce the intensity while giving fellows more time to finish their degree.
That change follows the first cohort’s experience. By June 2026, 20 fellows had completed their preparation year, earned teacher certification and finished a one-year classroom apprenticeship. Before the fall semester, all 20 were hired by NHPS, including in special education, science and math roles.
What has the fellowship already accomplished?
The first cohort began in May 2025, started the summer SCSU term and entered NHPS classrooms in the fall with mentors. The second cohort of 18 fellows started in August 2026, with six science fellows, four math fellows and eight special education fellows.
Among the first cohort, Allison Batson started a new job in September at Benjamin Jepson Magnet School as a K-2 special education resource teacher. Another fellow, Selena Malaterra, took a special education role at New Haven Academy in July.
How does the Yale Teaching Fellowship work?
The program has two tracks. The Current Teachers Track leads to a Master of Science from SCSU and a special education cross-endorsement in Connecticut. The Teacher Pipeline Track leads to Connecticut teacher certification and a two-year Master of Arts in Teaching from SCSU.
Across both tracks, fellows gain apprenticeship experience in NHPS schools and receive coaching and professional development. Yale covers tuition, and pipeline fellows receive a stipend during the preparation year.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of teachers is the program trying to recruit?
It is aimed at training teachers for shortage areas in New Haven Public Schools, especially in math, science and special education, while also supporting certified teachers who want special education cross-endorsement.
When does the next application cycle close?
Applications for the third cohort are being accepted through January 1, 2027.
