Why We Exist In our local schools, African Americans represent fewer than 1 out of every 10 teachers. This creates a serious disadvantage for African American youth, in that they lack role models and authority figures who share ethnic, sociological and cultural roots. It also denies all children the experience of learning from and developing positive relationships with teachers from diverse backgrounds. Mission Statement Our mission is to recruit, support, develop, and retain a cadre of African American teachers to serve the schools of Charlottesville and Albemarle County. What We Provide 1. Financial Support – Full-time students get up to $5,000 a year for up to three years to cover the cost of tuition, textbooks, and licensure fees. Part-time students get up to $3,000 a year. 2. Community Support – Our Fellowship includes a mentor program and the opportunity to join the supportive network of African American Teaching Fellows who are already in the program. 3. Professional Support – From practice job interviews to leadership training, AATF strives to help our Fellows get into classrooms and become great teachers. We have firm partnerships with Charlottesville City Schools and Albemarle County Public Schools, and we help Fellows navigate the process of getting hired and starting careers of teaching excellence. Our Impact • We have provided over $180,000 of direct financial support to African American college students pursuing teaching licenses. • In the past three years, thirteen Fellows have earned teaching licenses. All thirteen were hired as full-time teachers in the state of Virginia. • All ten of the Teaching Fellows serving Charlottesville City Schools and Albemarle County Schools in the 2012-2013 school year were retained for the 2013-2014 school year, and three more Fellows were hired, bringing the number of Fellows in our local schools to thirteen.