Frequently Asked Questions
Index of Questions
Teaching in Memphis
1) Why should I become part of the Memphis Teaching Fellows?
2) How long is the commitment?
3) How can I get more information on the Teaching Fellows program?
Alternative Certification
1) What exams do I need to take?
2) Will I receive a state teaching license?
Qualifications
1) What type of person is a good candidate for Memphis Teaching Fellows?
2) Am I eligible if I have no previous teaching experience or prior coursework in education?
3) How do I know if I am eligible for the Memphis Teaching Fellows program?
4) What if I don’t have a 2.75 GPA?
5) Why aren’t certified teachers eligible to apply, and what should they do to start teaching in MCS?
6) Are individuals who have worked as substitute teachers in MCS eligible for the program?
7) Do I need to be a resident of Memphis to apply?
Admissions
2) When is the application deadline?
3) How long should my personal statement be?
4) What should I include in my resume?
5)
Can I include letters of recommendation with my application?
6) Do I need to send transcripts with my application?
7) What happens after I submit my application?
8) What happens during an interview event?
9) When and where do interviews take place?
10) Can I defer acceptance into the program?
11) Can I reapply to the program next year if I am not accepted?
12) I meet all of the Teaching Fellows' eligibility requirements. Why wasn't I accepted?
13) What else can I do? How else can I pursue a teaching career?
District Hiring
1) How does the district hiring process work?
3) When will I find out where I will be teaching?
4) How long is a typical school day?
Pre-service Training and Ongoing Support
1) Once I become a Fellow, how will I prepare for the classroom?
2) How intensive is pre-service training?
3) Will I be paid over the summer?
4) What kind of support is provided to Teaching Fellows?
Compensation and Benefits
1) What is starting salary for Memphis Teaching Fellows?
2) What employee benefits do fellows receive?
Teaching in Memphis
1) Why should I become part of the Memphis Teaching Fellows?
Memphis Teaching Fellows offers you the opportunity to immediately revitalize the Memphis education system, raise student achievement, and influence your students’ lives beyond the classroom. We know that teacher quality is one of most significant contributors to student success. As a Fellow, you will be able to ensure that your students receive an excellent education that prepares them for success in school and in life.
You will also join a network of talented and successful professionals who are similarly committed to transforming public education in Memphis. In addition, you will be able to earn a Tennessee teaching license while working and earning a full-time teacher’s salary.
2) How long is the commitment?
We hope that Fellows will commit to a lifetime career in education. The ambitious goal of the Memphis Teaching Fellows is to build a network of Memphis City Schools teachers passionate about educational equity and ready to work actively to achieve results in their classrooms on a daily basis, alongside other MCS teachers with the same focus. We expect all Teaching Fellow candidates to teach a minimum of three years. We also hope that outstanding individuals who enter the teaching profession through the Fellows program will continue their careers as educators in Memphis, fulfilling our shared mission of closing the achievement gap, for many years to come.
3) How can I get more information on the Teaching Fellows program?
We regularly hold information sessions for anyone interested in learning more about the program.
Alternative Certification
1) What exams do I need to take?
All applicants are required to take and pass the Praxis I Reading, Writing, and Mathematics exams and Praxis II exams. Applicants are encouraged to take the Praxis I exams as soon as possible. For more information please visit our Testing Requirements page. Candidates will receive their subject area assignments after their online application is reviewed and the candidate is invited to an interview. At that time, candidates should register for the appropriate Praxis II exam. Passing scores must be submitted to the Memphis Teaching Fellows office prior to the start of pre-service training.
2) Will I receive a state teaching license?
During their initial years of teaching, Fellows must be continuously
enrolled in a state approved alternative certification program. Upon successful
completion of the alternative certification process – which usually
takes two years – Fellows will be eligible for a standard Tennessee
teaching license in math, chemistry, French, Spanish, middle school, or special education. Fellows will be responsible for the
costs associated with completing the alternative certification program.
Qualifications
1) What type of person is a good candidate for Memphis Teaching Fellows?
There is no one profile for an ideal Teaching Fellows candidate; Fellows
come from a wide range of backgrounds and bring to the program a diverse
set of talents and skills. Strong candidates are those who are committed
to having a positive effect on student achievement, who display excellence
in their previous endeavors, and who are dedicated to reaching and influencing
students—especially those in our highest need schools—on a
daily basis.
2) Am I eligible if I have no previous teaching experience
or prior coursework in education?
Yes. Individuals without prior teaching experience or coursework in education
are eligible for the program and encouraged to apply. The Fellows program
is specifically designed to attract high-quality applicants from diverse,
non-education backgrounds into the teaching profession. We are looking
for individuals to teach math, chemistry, French, middle school, special education and Spanish.
3) How do I know if I am eligible for the Memphis Teaching Fellows program?
Applicants to the Fellows program should review the requirements outlined
on the website, to check if they meet the Memphis Teaching Fellows eligibility
requirements.
4) What if I don’t have a 2.75 GPA?
If an individual does not have a 2.75 GPA, but has demonstrated exceptional achievement in some other area, they may be invited to apply. Candidates with less than a 2.75 GPA (but higher than a 2.5 GPA) will have the opportunity in the online application to address any issues that may be relevant to their academic performance.
5) Why aren’t certified teachers eligible to apply, and what should they do to start teaching in MCS?
Memphis Teaching Fellows program is specifically designed to provide training
and support to individuals who have had no education coursework or experience.
For more information on employment in MCS for certified teachers, visit www.teachmemphis.org.
6) Are individuals who have worked as substitute teachers in MCS eligible for the program?
Yes, substitutes are eligible to apply.
7) Do I need to be a resident of Memphis to apply?
No, you do not need to be a resident of Memphis to apply.
Admissions
1) How do I apply?
An application consists of a completed online application form, a resume, and responses to the Application Questions. Please visit the Application Now section of the website for details or click on this link to apply now.
2) When is the application deadline?
The FINAL application deadline is March 3, 2010.
Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible to benefit from an earlier Interview Event and early final status notification.
3) How long should my Application Questions responses be?
You should address the Application Questions in 200-400 words each.
All documents (resume & application questions) must be in Microsoft Word or PDF format. We cannot accept documents in Microsoft Works, Word Perfect etc.
Your responses to the Application Questions provide us with information not captured elsewhere in the application. We use your responses to evaluate your writing and critical thinking skills, and more importantly, to gain a sense of your commitment to teaching students in the district. Please note that only original responses to the Application Questions will be considered. Do not submit a generic cover letter or personal statement in place of responses to the Application Questions, as it will not provide our office with the information we need to accurately assess your candidacy for the program. We recommend that you carefully review the guidelines below before responding to the Application Questions.
Application Questions (200 – 400 words each):
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Nearly all Fellows are placed in 'high-need' schools that are located in low-income communities. Why do you want to teach in a high-need school, and what experiences have prepared you for the challenges of teaching in a high-need school?
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The most important responsibility of a teacher is to ensure high academic achievement for all students. Explain how a skill or ability that you possess will help you ensure high academic achievement for all students and provide an example of how you have effectively demonstrated this skill or ability in the past.
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Briefly describe a time when you achieved a goal in the face of challenges or while balancing multiple responsibilities. What steps did you take to ensure that you would meet your goal, and how will that experience contribute to your ability to be successful with your students?
4) What should I include in my resume?
Your resume should include the following informations, where applicable:
1. Work history in chronological order- including dates of employment and description of responsibilities and accomplishments.
2. Any previous achievements- academic, professional or personal.
3. Any community involvement or volunteer experience.
4. Any teaching, tutoring or volunteer experience with children.
All documents (resume & application questions) must be in Microsoft Word or PDF format. We cannot accept documents in Microsoft Works, Word Perfect etc.
5) Can I include letters of recommendation with my application?
No. Because of the sheer number of applications we receive, we are unable to consider documents or materials other than those required for a complete application (application form, resume, personal statement, and transcripts). Materials that are not required will be discarded. However, we do ask for references on the application, who we may contact to receive further insight on our applicants.
6) Do I need to send transcripts with my application?
No, you do not need to send transcripts with your application. If you are invited to interview, you will be required to submit at least one unofficial or official copy of the transcripts from each college or university you attended by the Interview Event. However, if you are accepted into the program, you must submit a total of three official (sealed) copies of transcripts from each institution you attended no later than May 28, 2010. Your acceptance in MTF is contingent upon receipt of official transcripts.
Because it often takes universities several weeks to process requests
for official transcripts, we recommend that you request these transcripts
now. Please note that we cannot return transcripts after they have been
submitted, even if you are not admitted to the program.
If you attended a foreign university, please review the Eligibility section
for information specific to candidates with foreign transcripts.
7) What happens after I submit my application?
All applications are reviewed for completeness and eligibility. Those applicants who demonstrate potential for success as Fellows are invited to interview. You will also be notified if you are not invited to interview. You should receive interview notification within two weeks of our receipt of your complete application.
8) What happens during an interview event?
Candidates will be placed in groups of up to ten, along with one to two Memphis Teaching Fellows interviewers. An interview event consists of both group sessions and an individual interview. Each candidate will be asked to teach a five-minute lesson to the larger group, participate in a group discussion, write about a specific educational scenario, and engage in a one-on-one interview with a Fellows interviewer. More information about the interview event will be provided in advance.
9) When and where do interviews take place?
All interviews are conducted in person in Memphis. Most interview events are held on weeknights and weekends, and each candidate will be given the opportunity to sign up for an interview event that is most convenient for him/her.
10) Can I defer acceptance into the program?
No. Once accepted, it is not possible to defer acceptance into the program due to the large numbers of candidates hoping to receive a teaching position each year.
11) Can I reapply to the program next year if I am
not accepted?
Yes, but in order to be considered, you must be able to demonstrate improvements in your candidacy since your previous application. The process for applicants who are re-applying is no different than that for applicants applying for the first time. Because the needs of the school system change from year to year, even those applicants who were admitted to the program in a previous year and declined our offer of admission or withdrew from the program, must reapply to begin teaching the following year.
12) I meet all of the Teaching Fellows' eligibility
requirements. Why wasn't I accepted?
Memphis Teaching Fellows is a highly selective program. Our eligibility requirements are only the minimum qualifications necessary to be considered for the program, and meeting them in no way guarantees an applicant acceptance. Neither is an achievement or experience, including prior teaching experience, sufficient to guarantee acceptance.
13) What else can I do?
Visit the Memphis City Schools website—www.mcsk12.net— for information about other ways to make a difference in Memphis’ public schools. You may wish to explore traditional routes to certification through area universities with credential programs and schools of education.
District Hiring
1) How does the district hiring process work?
District hiring is the process through which teachers find their specific teaching positions in Memphis City Schools. This process generally includes interactions with both principals and district hiring personnel.
It is the mission of Memphis Teaching Fellows to staff Fellows in high-need
areas, and all candidates should be prepared to teach wherever they are
most needed and can have the greatest impact on student achievement. Although
candidates will have the opportunity to express their preferences, these
assignments are driven primarily by school needs and by each Fellow’s
eligibility. Fellows must be extremely flexible about their teaching positions.
2) Where will I teach?
Fellows will teach in high-need schools throughout the city, where the
need for highly qualified teachers is most critical.
3) When will I find out where I will be teaching?
The process takes place from spring 2010 through the beginning of the
school year. Identifying and finalizing a specific teaching job is a challenging
process, as there are many variables involved in predicting job openings
at the school level. You will receive more information about this process
if you are accepted into the Teaching Fellows program.
4) How long is a typical school day?
A full day teaching in MCS is approximately seven hours long. A typical
school day runs from 7:15am to 2:15pm or 8:30am to 3:15pm. In addition
to teaching in their own classrooms, Fellows will attend certification
courses as they pursue their Tennessee teaching license. Beyond the formal
school day, Fellows should expect to spend time out of class preparing
lessons, grading student work, communicating with parents and guardians,
and completing their coursework towards licensure. Fellows may also have
after-school meetings with school staff, the Memphis Teaching Fellows
program, or students’ family members.
5) How safe are the schools?
We believe our schools are safe. We encourage concerned candidates to
visit the areas in which they may teach during a regular school day to
determine their own level of comfort with the environment
6) I am interested in teaching special education,
but I am nervous about that kind of job. What does it really mean to teach
special education?
Special education Fellows will teach students in grades K-12th in either the modified or comprehensive setting. In a modified special education classroom, teachers educate students with mild to moderate disabilities. These students typically receive instruction in a regular classroom for the majority of the school day and may visit a resource room to be taught by their special education teacher for part of the school day. In this setting, special education teachers provide services to their students in the regular classroom along with the regular classroom teacher. In addition, the special education teacher may offer supplementary services through the resource room. In a comprehensive special education classroom, teachers educate students with severe to profound disabilities. These students and teachers typically spend the entire school day in a special education setting. Most special education Fellows will be placed in teaching assignments in a modified special education setting. Only in cases of Fellow preference and in consideration of MCS staffing needs will a Fellow be placed in a comprehensive special education classroom.
For more information and helpful links, visit our Teaching in Memphis page. More information about supporting students with special needs will be available during our intensive summer pre-service training and through the Fellow’s teacher certification program.
Pre-service Training and Ongoing Support
1) Once I become a Fellow, how will I prepare for
the classroom?
In the summer of 2010, Fellows will complete an intensive six-week pre-service
training program that includes group sessions focused on the practical
aspects of teaching, coursework related to the foundation of strong teaching
practices, and discussion groups to address issues faced by teachers in
high-need schools. Attendance at all components of pre-service training
is mandatory. Visit the Training and Resources page for more info abut the Summer Institute.
2) How intensive is pre-service training?
The Teaching Fellows pre-service training program concentrates a great deal of training into only a few weeks; thus, training is extremely demanding. Due to strict Tennessee guidelines and the critical part that training plays in the success of the Teaching Fellows program, Fellows cannot miss any portion of training. Visit the Training and Resources page for more info abut the Summer Institute.
3) Will I be paid over the summer?
During the summer pre-service training session, Fellows are provided with a $2,000(pre-tax) stipend. The stipend is generally distributed at the end of the summer training.
4) What kind of resources are provided to Teaching
Fellows?
As new teachers, Fellows have access to several resources. Upon entering the program, while Fellows are responsible for completing necessary requirements set by their certification program, the Fellows program office assists with logistical support, such as helping Fellows manage the process of becoming full MCS employees; program communications, including periodic newsletters; and special events such as professional development meetings and social gatherings. Fellows can also access a support network that includes other district teachers, certification program faculty, and Memphis Teaching Fellows staff.
Fellows often develop their most basic, ongoing support network at the school level. Although every situation is unique, Fellows may collaborate with teachers at their school, school-based instructional facilitators, assistant principals, and principals. School assignment and summer training events facilitate connections among Fellows who often teach the same subjects or are clustered together in particular schools or areas of the city. Teaching Fellows can draw on these connections as a resource for planning, reflection, and shared encouragement as they strive for excellence in their individual classrooms.
Fellow are automatically enrolled in Memphis City Schools “First Steps to Excellence” Teacher Induction Program, a division of MCS’s Curriculum and Instruction Department. “First Steps to Excellence” provides new teachers the catalyst to share best practices and develop professionally. This program supports teachers’ transition to the classroom and Memphis City Schools. The induction program consists of three main components: an intensive three-day summer MCS orientation, participation in a mentoring program, and ongoing professional development and networking opportunities.
Through their certification coursework, Fellows also take a range of courses that help them understand instructional theories and develop the skills they need to drive student success in the classroom.
Compensation and Benefits
1) What is starting salary for Memphis Teaching
Fellows?
The starting salary for Fellows is the same as that for all other beginning teachers in Memphis City Schools. In the 2007-2008 school year, first-year teachers with no previous classroom experience earned $38,693.50. Fellows with advanced degrees may be eligible for a higher base salary. Fellows become salaried employees of MCS when all teachers report back to work in early August; teachers normally receive their first pay check at the end of August.
2) What employee benefits do fellows receive?
As employees of Memphis City Schools, Fellows are eligible for the same comprehensive benefits as all teachers. These benefits include a choice of medical, vision, dental, and retirement plans. For more information on teacher benefits, visit the Memphis City Schools employee benefits page.