The HCPS Transformation Network consists of 46 schools that receive focused resources and supports based on their performance data. These resources and supports strengthen each school’s ability to engage in innovative approaches that create equitable access to high quality instructional practices, develop organizational talent and capacity through intentional professional development, develop high achieving collaborative school cultures, enhance the empowerment of family involvement and create community partnerships.

Our vision is to ensure that every child has unwavering access to our 5 strategic focus areas: 

1. Rigorous High-Quality Instruction.
2. Expert, Collaborative Teachers
3. Deeply Engaged Families and Communities
4. Safe, Supportive Environments.
5. Transformational, Effective Leaders.

The Transformation Network is focused on closing opportunity gaps and levelling the playing field for students by creating equitable systems of support resulting in rapid, sustainable improvement of student outcomes.

Transformation Fellows will work alongside teachers and school leaders to provide direct assistance for student interventions and support. Fellows will push-in to classrooms and in predefined student groups, including bottom quartile students to assist in the implementation of targeted support, and on an as-needed basis will support school staff in areas defined by the school’s strategic plan. By providing highly motivated Fellows to assist with needed classroom interventions, HCPS students will be able to accelerate their learning gains, feel social and emotional support, and enhance their ability to succeed in school and in life; all while supporting teachers and maximizing their time spent on instruction.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES of Fellows include, but are not limited to:

Leadership

• Model and uphold high expectations for personal and professional conduct.
• Facilitate the delivery of small group instruction and supplemental tutoring lessons focused on driving learning gains for students.
• Collaborate with teachers and school leaders to help develop, enact, model, and evaluate a data-driven shared mission and vision that drives school improvement.
• Serve as an encouraging mentor to students that shows compassion, demands high expectations for students, and that prioritizes the academic and personal needs of students.

Learning

• Support teachers to ensure that students in all classrooms have access to and are completing complex academic materials that are both rigorous and culturally appropriate.
• Continually improve your own effectiveness through reflection, study, and other professional development opportunities.
• Help ensure that each student has equitable access to effective support, challenging learning opportunities, educational resources, and social support.
• Support teachers and staff by providing ongoing actionable communication on your work.
• Recognize, respect, and employ the student’s strengths, diversity, and cultures as assets of teaching and learning for personalized instructions.

Culture

• Commit to learning and sustaining a professional culture of engagement and commitment to the education of the whole child using coherent academic and Social-Emotional Learning supports.
• Support students and staff by adhering to norms of respect, caring, learning, and safety.
• Utilize coherent systems of academic, physical, social, and emotional support to meet the needs of each student.
• Proactively discuss individual, institutional, and systemic behaviors that disregard equity and cultural responsiveness.
• Model cultural knowledge and sensitivity in interactions with staff, students, and families.
• Help create an environment where staff-to-student relationships are a priority in every class.
• Help create an environment where student voice, agency, and leadership are evident.

Management

• Collaborate with school and Transformation Network staff to support and facilitate policies and procedures that ensure a smooth progression for students through their school careers.
• Cultivates and manages productive professional relationships with students, staff, district personnel, and other stakeholders to positively impact school operations.
• Promote wellness best practices, including work life balance, for staff and self.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be a degree seeking student or recent collegiate graduate in Education or a relevant subject area (Math, Engineering, Social Science, English, Hard Sciences, etc.)
• Ability to work 10-25 hours at an assigned school site in the Transformation Network preferred.
• Ability to commit to 1-2 hour of monthly professional development and training alongside other service-minded university students from around the area.
• Commitment to helping students achieve academic and personal success, primarily with minority and low-income students.
• Commitment to educational equity and social justice.
• Ability to serve in the fellowship role during relevant months of the school year.
• Have a cumulative 2.5 GPA preferred.

1. How will Transformation Fellows be paid?
   Transformation Fellows would be hired as temporary employees of HCPS and paid $15 an hour for the duration of the involvement in the program. Fellows would be expected to work between 15-25 hours a week based on the needs and preferred timelines of their assigned school. Fellows have the opportunity to serve between 1 semester and 2 years.
   
   

2. How will Transformation Fellows be placed in schools?
   The Transformation Network has developed a tiered list of schools based on identified areas of need and support alongside school leadership. Transformation Fellows will be placed based on their areas of interest/experience in specific content areas, as well as the targeted areas of need and support identified by Transformation Schools. Schools in year 2 and 3 of a state turnaround process will be given priority.
   
   

3. Will Transformation Fellows receive any training or professional development?
   Yes. Transformation Fellows will be grouped into cohorts and receive a robust orientation and specialized training in preparation for their time serving in HCPS classrooms. This training will be focused in areas such as climate and school culture, using supplemental programs to support learning, Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), and school equity.
   
   In addition, the Transformation Network Professional Development team will develop a rigorous micro-credentialing program for Transformation Fellows, focused on developing specialized skills, capacities, and relevant experience in school turnaround work. Micro-credentials will be awarded to Transformation Fellows that successfully finish the assigned work and will be used to help guide potential candidates into long-term positions with the HCPS Transformation Network after their graduation.
   
   

4. Can non-education university students participate in the Transformation Fellowship Program?
   Yes. Non-education degree seeking students that are majoring in relevant areas such as Literature or Mathematics can apply to become members of the Transformation Fellowship program. Despite this, education degree seeking students at our partner universities will receive priority in the vetting and placement process.
   
   

5. I am a recent graduate. Can I apply for this Fellowship?
   Yes. Recent graduates from two year, four-year, and graduate level studies are eligible to apply.
   
   

6. I do not attend the University of South Florida, the University of Tampa, Saint Leo University, and Hillsborough Community College. Can I still apply?
   Yes. Students from other institutions of higher education can apply for this opportunity.
   
   

7. What will Transformation Fellows do at their assigned schools?
   Transformation Fellows will work alongside teachers and school leaders to provide direct support for tutoring, mentoring, and small group instruction. Fellows will push-in to classrooms and in predefined student groups of bottom quartile and other students to assist in the implementation of targeted support, and on an as-needed basis will support school staff in areas defined by the school’s strategic plan.
   
   

8. Why is HCPS creating the Transformation Fellowship program?
   The HCPS Transformation Network is creating the Transformation Fellowship program to help bolster support of our most vulnerable students. By providing university students to work directly with students, Transformation Fellows will make valuable contributions toward closing the achievement gap and bolstering student learning in Hillsborough County.
   
   In addition to driving academic success for every child, the Fellows program will also assist the Transformation Network in preparing, recruiting, and retaining a large pool of passionate and high-quality future teachers that are ready to make an impact for the district’s high need schools.