Teaching in Philadelphia

The School District of Philadelphia (SDP) is one of the largest districts in the country, serving nearly 200,000 children who represent the diversity and vibrancy of the city itself. Many languages are spoken throughout the city’s classrooms – as they are in the city’s neighborhoods and communities. As of March 2008, 62.4% of the student population identified themselves as African American, 6.0% as Asian, 17% as Hispanic, 0.2% as Native American, and 13.2% as White.

The SDP is now, more than ever, a vibrant and exciting place to work. However, there is still a great amount of work left to do in ensuring that all of Philadelphia’s children have equal opportunities for success. We need the brightest individuals to rise to the occasion and join in our efforts. You can positively impact the lives of our students by helping us meet the critical need for excellent teachers.

On average, the typical school day for teachers involves six-and-a-half hours of instructional time. In addition to instructional hours at the school site, almost all teachers – especially those new to the profession – spend additional time planning lessons, gathering materials, grading papers, and even coaching a sport or moderating a student club. Like most school districts, teachers in Philadelphia also attend regular after-school faculty meetings. It is important to note that Fellows are also required to enroll in university courses beyond their school commitments to ensure their full certification.