Teacher Fellowships | Jacobs School of Engineering

2025 Teacher Fellow Positions

2025 COSMOS Teacher Fellow Flyer

2024 COSMOS Teacher Fellow Recruitment Page

The COSMOS UCSD Teacher Fellows program provides an outstanding summer opportunity for local high school teachers. Teachers apply to the program indicating the academic cluster they would like to be considered for. Each cluster is led by a UCSD faculty team.

Program Highlights

Applications must be postmarked by January 15, 2025 or until positions are filled.
COSMOS 2025 will run from Sunday, July 6th - Friday, August 1st.
Stipend: $6,500.00 (full four-week participation required)
Applications may also be requested by contacting cosmos@ucsd.edu or calling 858-822-4361.

Teacher Fellows serve as the pedagogical bridge between high school student learning and university faculty teaching. They directly participate in all classroom sessions. Teacher Fellows are trained to teach the COSMOS Science Communication Course curriculum, which teaches students oral and written presentation skills, review and interpretation of scientific research and final group project preparation. Teacher Fellows may consult with faculty on course design, provide supplemental instruction, mentor students and supervise course projects. Teacher Fellows work with motivated high school students, form relationships with university researchers and scientists, have exposure to distinguished guest speakers sharing cutting-edge research and gain access to university resources.

COSMOS Teacher Fellows work schedule (mandatory)

May 17 & July 3, Orientation/Training
July 6 - August 1, Monday to Friday, 8am to 4 pm
August 1, from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm, Closing Day
Weekly check-ins on Fridays of the program (TBD)

Teacher Fellows who are offered employment will be required to undergo a background check and sign a California's Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA) Mandated Reporter Form. Teachers must complete an online "Mandated Reporter" training course prior to the start of the program.

Read what some of our past UCSD COSMOS Teacher Fellows have to say about the program:

Joseph H.: "Being a teacher fellow with COSMOS gives educators the unique opportunity of working with renowned researchers, university faculty, graduate and undergraduate college students, a hard-working and organized staff, and most importantly, a group of diverse, intelligent, and motivated high school students. My experience gave me insight to the world of STEM education, ideas for my own curriculum, and insight to how to improve my teaching practice."

Shirley M.: "Being a Teacher Fellow has given me ideas to inspire my students with. I have had the opportunity to see first-hand how life-changing COSMOS is for students and highly encourage my own students to apply. It has changed my students' lives - the ones that go to COSMOS and those that are in my classes by my own participation. I continually get new and fresh ideas - every year is different and inspiring!"

My-Nga I.: "COSMOS was the BEST experience I have had in summer professional growth! Although it seems like a contradiction, I learned more during this summer than I've learned in the last few years doing professional growth in my district. The opportunity to work with university professors was remarkable. We shared many stories during the month which gave me a window into what the professor's experience with students I ultimately send to them. The material I learned and can now bring to my students because of the grant brings a whole new level of excitement for me as a teacher. I'm starting to reach out even further to try to bring the material to my classroom. I had no idea there were so many resources out there for molecular biology!"

Brinn B.: "The best summer teaching experience available."

Teacher Fellow - California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science (COSMOS)

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Jacobs School of Engineering at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) offers a pre-collegiate academic summer residential program, the California State Summer School in Mathematics and Science (COSMOS). (https://jacobsschool.ucsd.edu/cosmos/about). The COSMOS Program has opportunities for temporary Teacher Fellows (Teacher Special Programs). One or more positions may be available, appointments are for 1 cluster.

The primary objective of the COSMOS program is to advance high school students’ interest in math and science through challenging, engaging course work and life in a residential university. The central experience for COSMOS students includes three courses: two science, math, or engineering courses and one science communication course.

The 2025 COSMOS Program dates are:

July 6, 2025 - August 1, 2025
May 17th - in person orientation on 10am-3pm (Saturday)
July 3rd - in person orientation from 1:30-3:30 (Thursday)

Full orientation and 4-week participation required. Housing not provided for Teacher Fellows.

Program: http://jacobsschool.ucsd.edu/cosmos/

QUALIFICATIONS

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

B.A. or B.S. in mathematics, science, engineering or a related field
1+ years experience teaching high school or middle school
at least one Teacher Credential and ability to obtain California Teacher Credential

Preferred qualifications

1+ years teaching high school or middle school in a STEM field
California Teacher Credentials

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Document requirements

Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter -A cover letter describing your goals for participating in the COSMOS Program, your philosophy on education, your preferred cluster topics, why you chose this cluster, and how you see yourself contributing to your cluster of choice. Describe your interest in COSMOS and how you and your students will benefit from this summer experience.
Project Based Assignment - Please describe a project based assignment that you conduct in your classroom.
Credential list - Please provide a list of Teaching Credentials, including subjects if applicable, and expiration dates.
Evidence of Teaching effectiveness - Teaching evaluations, notes from students, etc (Optional)
Extracurricular Advisor activities - Please provide a list of any science or math related extracurricular activities or projects you advise (Optional)
Statement of Contributions to Diversity - Applicants should summarize their past or potential contributions to diversity. See our Faculty Equity site for more information.
Misc / Additional - Any other documents you wish to submit in support of your application (Optional)

Reference requirements

2-3 required (contact information only)

Reference letters may be requested if no teaching evidence is submitted. At least one reference letter should be from your current Principal or other school administrator.

Apply link: https://apol-recruit.ucsd.edu/JPF03830

Help contact: megorman@ucsd.edu

CAMPUS INFORMATION

The University of California, San Diego is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, covered veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended
from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

The University of California prohibits smoking and tobacco use at all University controlled properties.

The UC San Diego Annual Security & Fire Safety Report is available online at: https://www.police.ucsd.edu/docs/annualclery.pdf. This report provides crime and fire statistics, as well as institutional policy statement & procedures. Contact the UC San Diego Police Department at (858) 534-4361 if you want to obtain paper copies of this report.

JOB LOCATION

La Jolla, CA