The Aspiring Teachers Accelerator: Earn your teaching degree and initial certification online

Financial Assistance

‍Explore Schools Staff Members who have been accepted into The Aspiring Teachers Accelerator program will be eligible for a $4,000 tuition scholarship for each year that they are participating in the program. In order to be eligible for the scholarship, Staff members must:

1. Have a recommendation from their Principal and Supervisor (if different) to participate in the program.
2. Have worked at Explore Schools as a full-time employee for at least 5 months.
3. Have not yet earned a bachelor's degree.
4. Have an interest in becoming a Special Education Teacher at Explore Schools upon completing their degree.
5. Be in good standing. An employee is considered in "good standing" when they consistently meet or exceed professional and behavioral expectations at Explore Schools. Failure to meet these expectations, particularly through documented performance concerns, policy violations, or disciplinary actions, would generally indicate that an employee is not in good standing. The determination of an employee's status will be determined by school leadership, in partnership with the Talent and Network Leadership teams.
   1. If a recipient falls out of "good standing" while participating in The Aspiring Teachers Accelerator program, they risk losing their scholarship.
   2. The standards used to determine "good standing" include, but are not limited to, the following:
      1. Satisfactory Performance: Consistently performing job duties competently and efficiently, meeting and actively working toward all established performance goals and benchmarks and demonstrating professional growth and development relevant to their role.
      2. Compliance with Policies and Network Vision: Adhering to all Explore Schools policies laid out in the Employee Handbook and determined by network and school leadership, including maintaining the ideals set forth in Explore Schools operating values, DEI statement, anti-white supremacy statement, and visions for culture, instruction and family engagement.
      3. Attendance and Punctuality: Maintaining a consistent and reliable attendance record (especially on instructional days), adhering to established work schedules, and being punctual for all assigned duties, meetings, and classes. Excessive absenteeism or tardiness, without legitimate reason and proper notification, or unapproved absences, would generally indicate a deviation from good standing.
      4. Disciplinary Record: Having no active or recent disciplinary actions on file for misconduct, policy violations, or performance deficiencies that would call into question their suitability for continued employment at Explore Schools. Minor infractions that have been resolved and do not indicate a pattern of concern may be considered when evaluating "good standing," they typically do not directly cause the loss of it.
6. Submit documentation each year of enrollment to the Explore Schools Human Resources Team to continue to receive the scholarship.
7. Commit to working at Explore Schools for two complete school years beyond the completion of the program. If the staff member chooses to leave Explore Schools during these two school years, they will be required to pay back the scholarship in full.

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Priority Placement‍

Participants who pursue a full-time teaching position within a special education role will be eligible to receive additional hiring support, including resume building, interview prep, and demo lesson prep.