Diverse String Teachers Fellowship

FASE Diverse String Teachers Fellowship

The Diverse String Teachers Professional Development Fellowship aims to advance the inclusion, retention, and overall success of string music educators from historically excluded backgrounds. It serves as a protected intersectional space in which teachers can connect with peers. Fellows will share and process their unique experiences, grow their skill and confidence as pedagogues, learn from diverse mentors and industry experts, and position themselves as leaders in the string teaching profession through opportunities for professional networking and advancement. 

VISION
String teachers from and for every community.

ELIGIBILITY
The program is open to early-career string teachers (up to 10 years of experience) who identify as Black, Latinx, Native American, Middle Eastern/North African, or Asian/Pacific Islander. We welcome teachers working in public or private schools, as well as community music programs.

Submit a Nomination!

We welcome teachers to nominate themselves or a colleague for this program!
All nominees will be contacted and invited to tell us more about themselves and confirm their interest.

PROGRAM COMPONENTS

  1. Training
    • National Bornoff Workshop (two summers, 80 hours total)
    • American String Teachers Association National Conference (15+ hours)
    • DSTF Online Curriculum (30 hours total)
      • String Technique and Pedagogy (10 hours)
      • Career Development Sessions (10 hours)
      • Anti-Racist and Decolonizing Approaches (6 hours)
      • Responsive Teaching and Social-Emotional Learning (4 hours) 
  2. Resources
    • Bornoff Approach books, media, and on-demand courses
    • Repertoire, lesson plans, student activities, and other materials rooted in Culturally Responsive Teaching
    • Partner offerings (including special discounts, events, etc.) 
  3. Mentorship
    • Individual pedagogy support
      • Recorded lesson feedback tasks
      • One-on-one consultations and coaching
      • School visits
    • Career advancement support
      • Consultation and coaching
      • Structured leadership opportunities (e.g. presenting a webinar, participating in a committee, collaboration on special projects)
    • Personal mentor teacher

 

4. Community

    • Private online space for collaborating, sharing, and processing
    • Live virtual meetups
    • American String Teachers Association membership and associated benefits

 

TIMELINE AND COMMITMENTS

February 15    Nominations open

March 31    Nominations close

April 1-14    Follow-up with nominees and nominators

April 15    Cohort announced and details communicated

May 11    Virtual Orientation

July 11-20   National Bornoff Workshop 1 in NEW ORLEANS, LA

August–May    Virtual Meetups (2x per month)

March 2025   ASTA National Conference *

July 2025   National Bornoff Workshop 2, dates and location TBD

The DSTF online curriculum will consist of two virtual meetups per month, each lasting approximately 90 minutes. Meetups will be scheduled based on each cohort’s availability. Fellows will also be asked to complete instructional feedback tasks, at least once per quarter.

* Participation in the ASTA National Conference is optional, but highly encouraged! FASE will provide assistance to attend.

 

COSTS

There are no fees associated with applying or participating in the fellowship! 

FASE will provide full financial support so that all fellows can participate in the National Bornoff Workshops and online curriculum at no cost. Participants also receive a personal stipend in recognition of their time participating in the summer workshops. FASE will also sponsor registration and membership costs for the ASTA National Conference, and financial assistance will also be provided for travel, room and board.

FASE will also provide each participant with a full set of Bornoff Approach books, digital tools, and other resources for their classrooms. Fellows are also invited to participate in Bornoff Approach Certification at no cost.

Participation Expectations

After participating in the National Bornoff Workshop July 2024, fellows are expected to implement elements of the approach in their classrooms throughout the following academic year. Individual guidance and support will be available to ensure a successful experience for students. Fellows are also expected to participate in online meetups and to complete a small number of feedback tasks throughout the curriculum. All cohort members are encouraged to communicate regularly with each other, as well as with mentor teachers and FASE staff. 

NOMINATIONS AND ACCEPTANCE

Individuals are welcome to nominate themselves or any number of colleagues. Once forms have been completed, will notify the nominees that they have been recommended and verify their ability to participate in the program if selected. Decisions will be announced by April 15, 2024 via email. Historically, FASE has been able to fund seven cohort participants who would receive all of the benefits detailed above. We are exploring additional opportunities for a wider group of teachers to participate in online offerings and will reach out to all teachers nominated with those details.

Submit a Nomination!

Please help us spread the word about this opportunity by posting the image above to your social media and sharing the opportunity with colleagues.