In 2016, the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education invited Princeton Day School to become one of the first among a select consortium of the nation’s leading independent day and boarding schools to partner on a groundbreaking teaching residency program. The Day School Teaching Residency Program (DSTR) enables carefully chosen, aspiring educators to receive a master’s degree in education from Penn while completing an intensive, two-year teaching fellowship on independent school campuses.

Grounded in theory and practice, the DSTR Program at PDS allows Penn Fellows to experience a strong and comprehensive theoretical foundation and the immersive practice of their pedagogy in a supportive PreK-12 teaching environment. Penn Fellows work closely with experienced PDS teacher-mentors who not only support them in their personal educator journeys, but also guide and coach them through their pedagogy.  

Princeton Day School is currently accepting applications for our 2026-2027 UPenn Day School Teaching Fellows Program.  This is a two-year residency that culminates in the spring of 2027.

Responsibilities Include:

• Teaching 2 sections in your first year and 2-3 sections in your second year. 
• Advise a group of 8-10 students per year. 
• Advise clubs and chaperone extra-curricular activities. 
• Opportunities for coaching are available. 
• Successfully complete all University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education program work. Please note that employment at our school is dependent upon being in good academic standing. 

DSTR confers a Master of Science in Education (M.S. Ed.) and requires the completion of 10 course units over a two-year period. Fellows are expected to spend time at Penn each summer, as well as attend a number of weekend events at participating schools. It is also expected that fellows participate in online learning sessions with their cohort of fellows from other institutions.   

Requirements and Application Process:

• A bachelor’s degree in the target discipline (or a closely related subject) is required.
• Experience as a student teacher, teaching assistant, research assistant, coach, or tutor is desirable, but not required.

Compensation Range: $37,000 - $39,000. Additionally, Princeton Day School pays approximately 80% of fellows’ graduate school tuition. (this role is eligible for benefits)

At Princeton Day School, offering a comprehensive and competitive benefits package is one way we recognize our employee’s contribution to the success of the school and our role in helping our employees and their families be healthy, feel secure and maintain work/life balance.  Full-time and part-time employees who are regularly scheduled to work 30 hours or more per week are eligible for PDS’ competitive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous 403(b) match, paid time off, and many other valuable benefits. 

Princeton Day School is the region's premier independent day school for students from Pre-K through Grade 12. We aspire to create a diverse, equitable and inclusive community in which all members are seen, challenged, affirmed, respected and valued. Nestled on a picturesque 106-acre campus just two miles from Downtown Princeton and with a history dating back to 1899, PDS provides students with unparalleled opportunities for discovery, exploration and innovation and seeks employees who are passionate about their work and who embrace the importance of lifelong learning.

Qualified candidates should submit:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Unofficial college transcript
• Three (3) professional references (academic or work-related references)

To the Director of Human Resources, Aline Silva, at hr@pds.org.  Once a school recommends a prospective fellow for consideration by Penn Graduate School of Education, the prospective fellow must then (and only then) apply to Penn GSE. Applications submitted to Penn GSE without a recommendation from a partner school will not be considered.