Financial Incentives
In addition to a competitive wage, earn additional financial incentives for taking on new challenges and working with the students who need great teachers the most.
Teachers of Tomorrow Recruitment Incentive
The Teachers of Tomorrow (TOT) Recruitment Incentive Program awards eligible, newly hired teachers a one-time award of $3,400 for one year of service at a TOT-eligible school. This program is designed to encourage talented, newly hired educators to teach where they are most needed. Teachers at TOT-eligible schools are automatically considered for this incentive; no application is required. While TOT schools and requirements vary by year, you can view the list of TOT schools for the 2022-2023, 2023-2024, and 2024-2025 school years as well as program eligibility requirements here. The TOT program is contingent on annual funding provided by NYSED. School eligibility in one year does not guarantee eligibility in subsequent years. If you have any questions, please contact us at Teachersoftomorrow@schools.nyc.gov.
Teacher Leadership
Teachers with proven success in the classroom can take on a number of teacher leadership roles, including as a Master or Model Teacher. Master Teachers, who work intensively with other teachers, providing one-on-one coaching and guiding professional development, earn a $20,000 salary differential. Model Teachers share and model proven teaching techniques with their peers, inviting other teachers into their classroom and demonstrating those techniques in practice. They receive a $7,500 salary differential.
Scholarships
Earn a master’s degree and get certified in certain high-need subjects with our Scholarship Program. In exchange for a service commitment, participants receive a full scholarship.
Loan Forgiveness and Loan Deferral
New teachers who just received New York State certification in certain high-need subjects can apply to have their student loans repaid through the Loan Forgiveness Program. There are also federal programs that allow new teachers serving in low-income schools or high-need subject areas to cancel or defer student loans.