What is teachNOLA?
teachNOLA Overview
Public Education in New Orleans
Teaching in a New Orleans Public School
The Recovery School District
New Schools for New Orleans
Who We Want
Subjects Fellows Teach
Living in New Orleans
In the Press
Why Join?
The Benefits of Being a Fellow
Your Job as a Teacher
Louisiana Teacher Certification
Training and Resources
Teacher Salary and Benefits
Teacher Talk
How do I Apply?
Program Eligibility
Testing Requirements
Application Process
Application Deadlines
Information Sessions
Interview Events
Apply Now
Frequently Asked Questions
TEACHING IN A NEW ORLEANS PUBLIC SCHOOL
2. What is the RSD?
3. What part of New Orleans will I be teaching in?
4. How are public schools in New Orleans structured?
5. How safe are the schools?
6. I am interested in teaching special education but nervous about that type of job. What does it really mean to teach special education?
7. How long is the commitment?
8. Why should I become part of teachNOLA?
CERTIFICATION
1. What does “alternative certification” mean?
2. Will I receive state certification?
3. What exams do I need to take?
4. What type of certification will I receive?
5. How long will it take to complete the certification program?
6. How much will the certification program cost?
QUALIFICATIONS
1. What type of person is a good candidate for the teachNOLA Fellows program?
2. How do I know if I am eligible for teachNOLA?
3. Am I eligible if I have no prior teaching experience or prior coursework in education?
4. Are individuals who have substituted in public schools in New Orleans eligible for the program?
5. What if I’m already certified?
6. I'm currently enrolled in a certification program to become certified. Am I still eligible?
7. What if I don't have a 3.0 GPA?
8. Do I need to be a resident of New Orleans or Louisiana to apply?
APPLICATION PROCESS
1. How do I apply to join teachNOLA?
2. How long should my responses to the Application Questions be?
3. What should I include in my resume?
4. Can I include letters of recommendation with my application?
5. Do I need to send transcripts with my application?
6. What happens after I submit my application?
7. What happens during an Interview Event?
8. When and where do interviews take place?
9. Do I have to interview in New Orleans?
ADMISSION & ENROLLMENT
1. I wasn't accepted. Can I appeal the decision on my application?
2. Can I defer acceptance into the program?
3. Can I reapply to the program next year if I am not accepted?
4. I meet all of the teachNOLA eligibility requirements. Why wasn’t I accepted?
5. When does the program actually begin?
YOUR TEACHING POSITION
2. How do I know what subject I am qualified to teach?
4. How does the process of securing a school work?
5. Can I choose where I will teach?
6. When will I find out where I will be teaching?
TRAINING AND ONGOING RESOURCES
1. Once I become a Fellow, how will I be prepared for the classroom?
2. How intensive is the summer training?
3. How long is summer training?
4. Will I be paid for training?
5. What kind of ongoing resources and connections are available to Teaching Fellows?
COMPENSATION / BENEFITS
1. What is the starting salary for teachNOLA teachers?
TEACHING IN A NEW ORLEANS CHARTER SCHOOL
1. What is a charter school?
Charter schools are independently-run public schools that operate according to the terms of a contract, or charter, between a private group and a school district or state. In exchange for greater freedom over aspects such as the academic program, management structure, and length of the school day and year, charters are held accountable for concrete performance targets. For more information about charter schools, visit the Teaching in a New Orleans public school section of this website.
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2. What is the RSD?
The Recovery School District (RSD) is a state-run entity that takes over underperforming schools. The Louisiana Department of Education manages the RSD under the authority of the Louisiana Board of Elementary & Secondary Education (BESE). With 31 traditional schools and 27 charter schools, the Recovery School District (RSD) works with the largest number of New Orleans’ education providers.
RSD schools have no admissions criteria, enabling students from any neighborhood in the city to attend. As more students return to the city and other schools reach capacity, the RSD will absorb the swelling student population. The district is committed to accommodating these returnees, especially those with special needs.
The RSD, which exists to transform underperforming schools into successful ones under the state accountability system, aims to lay the groundwork for a world-class education system in New Orleans. Student achievement, quality leadership, and parent and community collaboration guide the RSD’s approach. For more about the RSD and its priorities and principles, visit its homepage by clicking here.
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3. What part of New Orleans will I be teaching in?
teachNOLA teachers will be placed in the RSD and in charter schools across New Orleans. While the program staff considers a candidate’s geographic/school preference when possible, the needs of the school and the candidate’s subject area eligibility are given priority during the placement process. Ultimately, we want to place teachers where they are needed most within the city, regardless of neighborhood.
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4. How are public schools in New Orleans structured?
Following Hurricane Katrina, the city’s school district was reconfigured as a significantly less centralized network of traditional and charter public schools. These schools are currently governed either by the Orleans Parish School Board (OPSB) or the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE). Educators from across the country are looking to New Orleans as a potential model for urban education reform. To learn more about this exciting transformation of public education in New Orleans, click here.
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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. As is true in any city, community members should take basic safety precautions and use common sense to avoid situations such as walking alone after dark or in unfamiliar areas.
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6. I am interested in teaching special education but nervous about that type of job. What does it really mean to teach special education?
Special education is designed around the concept of individualized curriculum to provide greater support for certain students. One of the most exciting aspects of a placement in special education is the opportunity to be both advocate and teacher. While teachers are first and foremost responsible for academic goals, they also work to develop a positive school environment for students with special needs.
Applicants should familiarize themselves with the basic information available in the Special Education section of the website. More information about and training on supporting students with special needs will be available during the summer training and through the Fellow’s certification program.
7. How long is the commitment?
We hope that Fellows will commit to a lifetime career in education. The ambitious goal of teachNOLA is to build a network of New Orleans teachers passionate about educational equity and ready to work actively to achieve results in their classrooms on a daily basis, alongside other New Orleans teachers with the same focus. We expect all teachNOLA Fellows to teach for 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 New Orleans, fulfilling our shared mission of closing the achievement gap, for many years to come.
8. Why should I become part of teachNOLA?
Your knowledge and experience can help ensure that every child in New Orleans has access to a high quality education. As a teacher, you will be the single most important factor in raising student achievement. As a teachNOLA Fellow, you will be part of a network of committed professionals dedicated to improving public schools. You will also join one of the nation’s most ambitious efforts to date to reform urban education. We are calling on the most successful and driven individuals to join our movement to dramatically improve student outcomes and to build a new, and better, New Orleans. Become part of this pivotal moment in our city and nation’s history.
CERTIFICATION
1. What does "alternative certification" mean?
As an alternate route program, the teachNOLA Fellows program accelerates the process of bringing new teachers to the classrooms that need them the most. Rather than completing a traditional teacher education program prior to entering the classroom, Fellows engage in a short but intensive summer training program and complete further academic requirements while they teach full time, earning a full time salary. Review the certification page of this website for more information.
2. Will I receive state certification?
Yes. All candidates who are accepted into the teachNOLA Fellows program must also meet all requirements for, and be accepted into, a state-approved certification program. Once accepted, either the certification program or employing school will apply, on behalf of the Fellow, to the Louisiana Department of Education for a Practitioner License. The Practitioner License meets state and federal “highly-qualified” standards and allows a Fellow to teach full-time in Louisiana while continuing coursework to become certified.
Assuming that all coursework and other requirements, as explained by the credentialing program, are completed on time, all members of the Fellows program will be eligible for a Level I Teaching Certificate upon completion of the certification program. Depending on the certification program and subject area requirements, completion of the program generally takes 12-24 months. For more information on certification, please click here.
3. What exams do I need to take?
Before Fellows can begin the summer Training Institute, they must take and pass both the Praxis I and II exams. The Praxis I covers reading, writing, and math, while the Praxis II is a content-specific test in the Fellow’s assigned subject area. Passage of these exams is required by the state-approved certification programs, and Fellows are responsible for all costs associated with taking these exams. Fellows who do not pass required tests by the beginning of the Training Institute will not be permitted to continue with the program. For more information on the required tests, click here.
4. What type of certification will I receive?
Each Fellow will initially begin teaching with a Practitioner License. The Practitioner License allows Fellows to meet highly-qualified requirements and teach full time in the classroom while continuing coursework to become fully certified.
After successful completion of the certification program, Fellows will be eligible for a Level I Certificate in the State of Louisiana, which is the same license that teachers who complete traditional certification programs receive.
5. How long will it take to complete the certification program?
Depending on the program and subject area, Fellows can expect to complete the certification program within 12-24 months. Fellows attend classes during the school year and sometimes over the summer. Classes during the school year will usually take place in the evenings, once or twice a week.
6. How much will the certification program cost?
Fellows will be responsible for the cost of tuition, which can range depending on the certification program and subject area. In 2007, tuition costs ranged from $3300-$5500 for the entire program (typically 12-24 months). Traditional certification programs typically have significantly higher costs than alternate route programs and do not allow time for students to earn a full-time salary while enrolled in courses.
Additional details on tuition and on enrolling in courses will be provided to all new Fellows once they enroll in the program.
QUALIFICATIONS
1. What type of person is a good candidate for the teachNOLA Fellows program?
There is no one profile for an ideal teachNOLA 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 under-resourced areas—on a daily basis. Click here for more information.
2. How do I know if I am eligible for teachNOLA?
Applicants to teachNOLA should review the strict requirements laid out on the website to check if they meet eligibility requirements.
3. Am I eligible if I have no prior teaching experience or prior coursework in education?
Yes. Individuals without prior teaching experience or coursework in education are eligible for the program and are encouraged to apply. The Fellows program is specifically designed to select and train high quality applicants from diverse backgrounds to enter the teaching profession. All Fellows will go through an intensive summer Training Institute before entering the classroom.
4. Are individuals who have substituted in public schools in New Orleans eligible for the program?
Yes. Substitute teachers are eligible. However, anyone who is currently a full-time teacher in a New Orleans public schools is not eligible for this program. For more details, visit the Eligibility Requirements section of this website.
5. What if I’m already certified?
The teachNOLA Fellows program is specifically designed to provide training and alternative certification to individuals who are not already certified. If you are already certified and want to teach in New Orleans, we encourage you to apply to our certified teacher referral program by clicking “I am a certified teacher” from our homepage and following the links to apply.
6. I’m currently enrolled in a certification program to become certified. Am I still eligible?
Individuals currently working toward certification in Louisana are not eligible for the Fellows program. Degreed candidates who have started a certification program in another state are eligible, provided they will have a semester or more remaining in that program as of June 2008. All Fellows, regardless of prior education coursework, will be required to participate fully in all components of the Fellows program, including the summer training institute and the completion of an approved certification program. Most likely, prior education credits will not transfer to the certification program Fellows are required to complete.
Please Note: Any candidate who is in an education program and will receive full certification in Louisiana or any other state by June 2008 should apply to become part of our certified cohort. To visit the our homepage for certified candidates, please click here.
7. What if I don't have a 3.0 GPA?
Individuals must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher from an accredited college or university to be eligible to apply to this program. However, the Fellows program acknowledges that GPA is one factor among many in judging an applicant. In some instances, consideration may be given for individuals whose GPA falls between a 2.5 and 3.0 and who display exceptional past achievement in other areas. Candidates with less than a 3.0 GPA will have the opportunity in the online application to address any issues that may be relevant to their academic performance. Due to the admissions requirements for certification programs in Louisiana, we are unable to accept applications from candidates with an undergraduate GPA of less than 2.5. Please review the Eligibility Requirements section for more information on our eligibility requirements before applying.
8. Do I need to be a resident of New Orleans or Louisiana to apply?
No. You do not need to be a resident of New Orleans or Louisiana to apply. This program is open to all qualified, determined candidates with the skills and ambitions to make a difference in the lives of students who live in New Orleans. Last year, more than half of the teachNOLA Fellows relocated to New Orleans (and its surrounding communities) from another state. Visit the Living in New Orleans section of this website for more information on the area.
APPLICATION PROCESS
1. How do I apply to join teachNOLA?
An application consists of a complete online application form, a resume, and responses to the three Application Questions. Visit the Application Process section of the website for details. Click here to apply now.
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2. How long should my responses to the Application Questions be?
Your responses to the Application Questions should be 200-400 words each. The Application Questions provide us with information not captured elsewhere in the application. We use these responses to evaluate a candidate’s writing and critical thinking skills and, more importantly, to gain a sense of commitment to teaching students in one of New Orleans’ public schools. Note: Please do not substitute a 'Philosophy of Education' or a generic personal statement for your Application Questions, as we are asking you to respond to specific prompts to gauge your commitment to teaching in a high-need school in New Orleans. For more information about the Application Questions, visit our page on the Application Process.
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3. What should I include in my resume?
Your resume should provide details about your education and professional experience, highlighting those jobs, activities, and awards that display your excellence and reflect achievements and concrete results.
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4. 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, and responses to application questions). Materials that are not required will be discarded. However, we do ask for the names of references on the application, which we may contact to receive further insight on our applicants.
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5. Do I need to send transcripts with my application?
Although transcripts are not required with the initial teachNOLA application, all candidates who are invited to interview will need to submit at least one transcript from every college and/or university attended at the Interview Event. While these transcripts can be official or unofficial at the Interview Event, all Fellows will need to submit at least five (5) official (sealed) transcripts from every college and/or university attended – including community colleges – before attending the summer Training Institute. You will only be considered fully enrolled in the program upon receipt of ALL official transcripts.
Because it often takes universities several weeks to process requests for official transcripts, we highly recommend you request official transcripts now. Please note that transcripts submitted to the program are not returnable.
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6. What happens after I submit my application?
All applications are reviewed for completeness and eligibility. Those applicants who demonstrate potential for success as teachNOLA Fellows are invited to interview. (You will also be notified if you are not invited to interview.) You should receive interview notification within two (2) weeks of our receipt of your complete and submitted application.
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7. What happens during an Interview Event?
Candidates will be placed in groups of up to twelve, along with one to two teachNOLA interviewers. An Interview Event consists of both a group session and an individual interview. Each candidate will be asked to participate in a group discussion, write about a specific educational scenario, present a sample teaching lesson, and engage in a one-on-one interview with a program interviewer. More information about the Interview Event will be provided to invited candidates in advance.
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8. When and where do interviews take place?
All interviews are conducted in person in New Orleans. Most Interview Events are held on weekends, and candidates should plan to sign up for one of the scheduled Interview Events posted on the Events page of the Status Viewer (to log in to your status viewer, click here). teachNOLA is not able to hold interviews outside of New Orleans and, due to the volume of applicants, cannot assist with transportation costs associated with interviews.
9. Do I have to interview in New Orleans?
Yes. We understand that it can be an investment of time and money for our out-of-town candidates to travel to New Orleans to interview; however, candidates invited to interview must attend one of our interview events in order to continue the application process. Interview events are comprehensive events designed to enable you to demonstrate your commitment to closing the achievement gap and your potential to become an excellent teacher through a variety of methods. They are also your chance to meet other potential teachNOLA Fellows and explore the city where you might be relocating. Therefore, this is not something that we can re-create by telephone or by other means.
ADMISSION AND ENROLLMENT
1. I wasn't accepted. Can I appeal the decision on my application?
No. All applications are thoroughly reviewed during our rigorous application process, and admissions decisions are final. Because teachNOLA receives an exceptional number of applications each year, we are unable to re-evaluate individual applications or provide personalized feedback to applicants who have not been accepted into the program.
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2. Can I defer acceptance into the program?
Candidates may not defer acceptance into the 2008 program; however, they may reapply the following year, to begin teaching in the fall of 2009.
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3. 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 school needs 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.
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4. I meet all of the teachNOLA eligibility requirements. Why wasn’t I accepted?
teachNOLA is a highly selective program. Each year, we have many more eligible applicants than we have positions available in the 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 a single achievement or experience, including prior teaching experience, sufficient to guarantee acceptance.
5. When does the program actually begin?
All Fellows accepted into the program must attend the summer Training Institute. While dates are currently being finalized, the Institute is tentatively scheduled for June 23 – August 1, 2008. Fellows will need to be in New Orleans by the start of training.
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YOUR TEACHING POSITION
1. What will I be teaching?
Candidates in the teachNOLA Fellows program are accepted to teach specific subjects. The subject that you are accepted to teach is based on the staffing needs of the schools, your subject area proficiency (as demonstrated by college coursework and/or professional experience), and, where possible, your subject area preferences. Once assigned a subject, you will need to pass the Praxis II Content Exam in your subject area. While we are placing Fellows to teach all subjects and grade levels, we are specifically looking for candidates to teach in subjects where New Orleans students are currently most in need of strong teachers—science, math, foreign languages, early childhood education and special education.
2. How do I know what subject I am qualified to teach?
What you are qualified to teach largely depends on your academic history. Louisiana has no coursework pre-requisites for alternate route teachers. But generally speaking, to be qualified to teach a specific subject, you must have a strong academic or professional background in relevant fields; and you must pass the corresponding Praxis II exam.
To teach in a special education class, you need a bachelor’s degree and you must pass the Praxis II exam for one of the subject content areas (English, Math, Science, Social Studies, etc). You will receive more special education specific training during the summer institute.
Please see our Testing Requirements page for more information. Candidates will receive more specific direction on which tests they are required to take with their invitation to interview.
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3. Where will I be teaching?
teachNOLA Fellows will teach in the Recovery School District or charter schools in New Orleans. While the program staff considers a candidate’s geographic/school preference when possible, the needs of the school and the candidate’s assigned subject area are given priority during the placement process. Ultimately, we want to place Fellows where they are needed most within the city. Students in these high-need schools will greatly benefit from the effective instruction of highly qualified teachNOLA Fellows. Most schools in which teachNOLA Fellows work face challenges such as a lack of resources and students who are often working behind grade level.
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4. How does the process of securing a school work?
teachNOLA staff will help facilitate opportunities to interview with principals for school-level jobs. In some cases teachNOLA Fellows will generate their own leads as well. Throughout the placement process, the program strives to ensure effective matches are made between a candidate and a school. While the program will make every effort to assist in the placement process, it is ultimately the responsibility of the Fellow to secure a placement with a school.
teachNOLA’s goal is to staff schools 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 geographic/school preferences, school matches are driven primarily by school needs and by each candidate's eligibility. Fellows must be extremely flexible about their teaching positions. Visit our page on Securing a Position to learn more.
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5. Can I choose where I will teach?
teachNOLA facilitates opportunities for teachers to meet with various school leaders, but it is ultimately the responsibility of the candidate to present him/herself as a compelling prospect and the decision of the school to hire a teachNOLA Fellow to teach at that particular school. Fellows can choose where to send resumes and pursue follow up communication with principals. For more information about where Fellows will teach, click here.
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6. When will I find out where I will be teaching?
The placement process takes place throughout the spring and summer and, if necessary, through the beginning of the school year. There are many variables involved in identifying and finalizing specific teaching assignments, so the process can be quite time consuming. As school vacancy projections change, the placement process will also look different before, during, and after the Training Institute. You will receive more information about this process if you are accepted into the program.
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TRAINING AND ONGOING RESOURCES
1. Once I become a Fellow, how will I be prepared for the classroom?
In the summer of 2008, Fellows will complete an intensive six-week training program that includes observation and practice teaching in a New Orleans summer school classroom, daily sessions led by experienced teachers focused on the practical aspects of teaching and issues faced by teachers in high-need schools, and additional coursework related to the foundation of strong teaching practices. Attendance at all components of training is mandatory. Please click here for more information.
2. How intensive is the summer training?
The Training Institute concentrates a great deal of training into only a few weeks; thus, training is extremely demanding. Given the critical part that training plays in preparing Fellows to be successful in the classroom, Fellows cannot miss any portion of the training. Please review the Training section of this website for more information.
3. How long is summer training?
The training program for Fellows is a full-time, six-week commitment over the summer. Due to the amount of time Fellows spend on Institute-related work in the evenings, it is not possible to have a job outside of Institute hours. The Training Institute has been tentatively scheduled for June 23 – August 1, 2008.
4. Will I be paid for training?
After successful completion of the summer training, Fellows are provided with a $2,000 pre-tax stipend. Because the time between the start of training and a Fellow’s first paycheck may be lengthy (possibly June to September), we encourage Fellows to take appropriate measures to ensure their financial well-being during this time. Participants go on the employing school payroll when they begin teaching. Please review the Salary and Benefits section of this website for more information.
5. What kind of ongoing resources are available to Teaching Fellows?
Fellows often look to develop their most basic, ongoing support network at their schools. Although every situation is different, Fellows may collaborate with and access resources from other teachers at their school, instructional specialists, assistant principals, principals, or a grade- or subject-level team. Moreover, 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. Fellows may take advantage of district and school-sponsored professional development and mentoring programs. The teachNOLA program office also makes Fellows aware of professional development and networking opportunities throughout the year and publishes a regular newsletter. New Fellows can draw on these connections as a resource for planning, reflection, and shared encouragement as they strive for excellence in their individual classrooms.
Fellows will also be enrolled in a certification program throughout the school year, and can draw on these programs for additional resources. For more information about certification, click here.
Please see our Training and Resources page for more information.
COMPENSATION / BENEFITS
1. What is the starting salary and benefits for teachNOLA teachers?
Please see our Teacher Salary and Benefits page.