Summer Fellowship FAQs

Applicants should be full-time K–16 teachers with a contract for the 2026–2027 school year, and able to commute daily to the Bay Area (or Seattle for WA positions) for 7-8 weeks during the summer. Participants should have at least 2 years of full-time teaching experience by June of the current school year and be committed to continuing in the teaching profession for at least the next three years. See: Program Details. 

Most projects are STEM-based (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). However, we also host opportunities in areas like technical writing, curriculum development, and marketing that are a strong fit for Language Arts and Social Studies teachers. Once approved as an applicant, you’ll be able to view available projects and express interest in those that align with your subject, goals, and skills. See: Summer Project Examples.

Most projects are in-person or hybrid, depending on the host organization. Projects are primarily hosted in the Bay Area (Santa Clara, San Mateo and Alameda counties). We may have a few projects in Seattle.

Fellows work full-time, typically during standard business hours, for 7-8 weeks, approximately mid-June to early August. 

Teachers bring a strong, versatile skill set. Different projects require different strengths, but top skills that hosts often look for include:

• Communication and collaboration
• Curriculum development / instructional design
• Educational research
• Excel, PowerPoint, and data analysis
• Coding or technology skills (for some projects)

Participation in the Summer Fellowship Program makes you eligible for 32 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) through Sacramento State College of Continuing Education at a total cost of $80. Applying for CEUs is completely optional and is not required to participate in the Fellowship. 

Each school district handles CEUs differently, so check with your district to understand how they will recognize them. The CEUs earned from the Fellowship program are considered non-academic credits. 

Note for teachers outside of California: Refer to Sac State’s Out-of-State authorizations. Teachers in states listed as “Exempt” or “Authorized” are eligible to register for units. 

Fellows are paid $9,800 for full participation, broken down as such: $7,000 over the course of the 7-8 summer weeks, $2,000 by the end of Oct and the final $800 in May.

Each CTE credential program has slightly different requirements for documenting industry experience. Typically, your Fellowship hours can count toward your 1,000 required industry hours, but how you submit them depends on your program. Ignited is happy to provide guidance to help you ensure your Fellowship hours are properly credited.

• Nov- Dec: Complete Application
  • Submit your application materials and secure approval from your principal. 
• Jan-Feb: Application Review and Approval
  • Ignited reviews all applications and provides feedback to help strengthen your materials before sharing them with potential host organizations.  
  • Note: Acceptance at this stage does not guarantee a Fellowship placement. It indicates that your application has been reviewed and approved by Ignited, ensuring it is ready to be shared with host companies for consideration. 
• Feb- April: Interviews with hosts
  • Selected applicants are invited to interview with potential host organizations to explore mutual fit and project opportunities. 
• April-May: Hiring Finalization
  • One matched with a host organization, Fellows complete the hiring packet to finalize placement details. 

For the best chance of securing a Fellowship, complete your application by the end of Feb. Applications will continue to be accepted until all positions are filled, but the matching process begins in March, so applying early increases your chances of being selected. 

We receive over 200 applications every year. A standardized application ensures consistency and efficiency in the Fellowship matching process. 

Your application acts as your professional resume. Make sure it highlights your transferable skills, processional strengths, and relevant experiences. Ignited will review your application and provide suggestions for improvement.

Tips for a strong application: 

• Check spelling and grammar: Treat your application as a professional resume
• Avoid acronyms and education specific terminology: Terms like IEOP, Title 1, AVID or ELL may not be familiar to reviewers. 
• Employment history: Focus on your teaching experience. Skip unrelated jobs (e.g. restaurant work), and use 3-5 concise bullet points for each position description. Highlight your achievements and consider how to best “sell” yourself to prospective mentors! 
• Focus Questions – The first two are mandatory, the rest are optional. Aim for 4-8 sentences per answer to make your application stand out. 

Email Silvia Beas, silvia@igniteducation.org directly. She is happy to reply via email, schedule a phone call, or chat during her office hours.

No. Acceptance means that your application packet has been reviewed by Ignited and will be passed on to host organizations for consideration.

It is critical that you express interest for projects you want to be considered for. Your interest statement will be added to your application for that specific project. Ignited will prompt you in March to review available projects and indicate your preferences.

Ignited may also suggest projects that align particularly well with your skills and experience, and you will have the opportunity to express interest in those as well. Staff will send top-matching applicants to mentors. If there are project types or companies you do not want to be considered for, you can indicate this on page 9 of your application.

Applicants who submit 5-7 interest statements are the most likely to secure interviews. Submit as soon as possible after a project is posted (ideally within one week). Do not contact mentors or host organizations directly.

Submit strong interest statements that connect your skills to the project.

Make sure that your application is complete and up to date.

Emphasize skills like curriculum design, educational research, communication, technology and leadership.

All communications should go through Ignited. Refrain from contacting host organizations directly prior to being invited for an interview.

Interviews begin in late March and continue until all positions are filled (typically late April).

Mentors know that you are a full-time educator and are happy to conduct interviews after school hours. 

Typically within 1-2 weeks. 

See our interview tips.

If you decide a position is not the best fit for you or if your summer plans change and you no longer wish to be considered for projects, please let Ignited know. We will communicate your decision to the host organization. This will allow us to offer the opportunity to other candidates who are eager to fill the spot. 

You need to decide fairly quickly whether to accept the offer, as it may be extended to another candidate. If you are still in final interviews with another project, we can check on the status of that mentor’s decision. The choice is ultimately yours.

Once applicants accept a Fellowship position, it is important to honor this commitment the same as you would any other employment offer. Reneging on a Fellowship could jeopardize the availability of future Fellowships with that host organization. If an unforeseen emergencies arises, please contact Ignited immediately so we can help communicate this to the host organization and, if possible, fill the position with another candidate. 

Ignited will send you onboarding materials, including a detailed agreement to sign. Some host organizations may also require a background check or drug test before approving the paperwork. Ignited will send you a self-paced online orientation which prepares you for the in-person orientation. At the in-person session, you will meet your coach and fellow cohort members, and have dedicated time to ask questions and get ready for your Fellowship.