Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to commonly asked questions about FISCHRS program

• What if I can't find a job? We will make every effort to place you in an appropriate rural school setting. If this is not possible, then we will make every effort to place you in a high needs school (which may be in the RCSD). If this isn't possible, we will make every effort to place you in any school. If there are no jobs at all, then your commitment for that year (and the prorated portion of you promissory note) will be waived.
• What if I move out of state? We can accept out-of-state placements to fulfill your service requirement. Further, almost all states accept New York State Teacher Certification.
• I need to complete my master's degree to receive my professional certification. How can I do this? You will be well on your way to a master's degree when you become certified. The GMST program is set up precisely to deal with people who find it difficult to get to campus to complete their master's degree, and most students will complete their master's degree with SJFC. In addition to academic year offerings, we offer summer courses in formats that require you to come to campus only 8 days. (Typically, students who come for their summer courses will come to campus four times, and spend four nights locally with friends or family, so only four trips are required.) We can also accept up to three courses as transfer credit from a graduate school that is more convenient to where you teach. The action research project that completes your master's can be completed at a distance.
• Isn't six years a long time? Well, in one sense, it is. But, if you choose math teaching as a career (and we hope you will!), then six years is only part of that, and, in return for that experience and your education, you will have also earned a degree in mathematics that will allow you to enter into many other professions.
• Why do I need to complete a criminal background check? A criminal background check is required for certification in New York State; we are merely making you take it earlier.

For more information about the Saint John Fisher College Robert Noyce Scholar Program, please contact:

Bernard Ricca, Ph.D.
Director, Graduate Program in Mathematics, Science and Technology Information
Phone: 585-899-3866
Email: bricca@sjfc.edu

Mailing Address
Saint John Fisher College
3690 East Avenue
Rochester, NY 14618