BCTR / JHU Tuition Reimbursement Policy

We, the undersigned, are members of the Baltimore City Teaching Residency. We are a group of career minded individuals who have made a commitment to improving education in Baltimore City. We have all made great sacrifices because we believe in this cause. Many of us have left jobs where we received lucrative salaries, left our homes to start a new life in Baltimore, and now endure challenging, and sometimes dangerous working conditions. Still, we have committed to teaching in Baltimore City, even for years after we complete our training. We are meeting the obligations of this agreement by successfully completing course work at Johns Hopkins University. We want to learn as much as we can so that we can be the best teachers in the city. In order to complete the Pro-MAT program in the prescribed time, we are required to take fifteen graduate credits in our first year. This conflicts with your current policy of only paying for twelve credits per year. In order to meet the requirements of Johns Hopkins Pro-MAT program in the prescribed time we ask that you make an exception for us. We believe this will serve both Baltimore City and the members of Baltimore City Teaching Residency. The first year is the most crucial for teachers. We must feel supported, appreciated, but most importantly equipped to do our jobs. The spring class in an important one, and it will further our abilities to do our job fully. Some of our members will not be able to complete the last class of their first year due to the financial strains this policy creates for us. We ask that you alter this policy for our group, and for future BCTR cohorts.