teachNOLA | Cherish our city. Commit to our children.

Frequently Asked Questions

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 control of the academic program, management structure, and length of the school day and year, charters are accountable to the state for reaching concrete performance targets. For more information about charter schools, visit the Teaching in a New Orleans public school section of this website.

[Return to Top]

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 30 traditional schools and 30 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. The RSD 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, visit its homepage by clicking here.

[Return to Top]

3. What part of New Orleans will I be teaching in?
teachNOLA teachers will secure full-time teaching positions 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 hiring process. Ultimately, we recruit teachers to teach where they are most needed.

[Return to Top]

4. How are public schools in New Orleans structured?
Following Hurricane Katrina, the city’s school district was dramatically 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.

[Return to Top]

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.

[Return to Top]

6. Why should I join the teachNOLA team?
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 your students’ achievement and broadening the scope of their futures. teachNOLA Master Corps Teachers make up a dynamic network of professionals dedicated to improving public schools; it is an inspiring group to be a part of.

teachNOLA Master Corps Teachers are at the cutting edge of one of the nation’s most ambitious efforts to reform urban education. We are calling on the most successful and driven individuals to join our movement. Together, we are dramatically improving student performance and guiding the rebirth of one of America’s most unique cities. Join us to be a leader in this pivotal moment in New Orleans’ and our nation’s history.

[Return to Top]

QUALIFICATIONS

1. How do I know if I am eligible for teachNOLA?
Applicants to the program should review the requirements laid out in the Program Eligibility section of this website.

[Return to Top]

2. What type of certification do I need?
Eligible candidates must possess standard teacher certification. All Louisiana fully-certified candidates must provide proof of eligible Louisiana certification. All candidates with certification from another state or non-standard Louisiana certification must provide proof of eligibility to become fully certified in Louisiana. For more information about what it takes to earn and demonstrate Louisiana certification, please visit our section on Louisiana Teacher Certification.

Please note: In addition to being certified, all teachNOLA teachers must also be on track to be highly qualified to meet the federal No Child Left Behind legislation. To be considered highly qualified, teachers must be certified in the area(s) in which they are teaching – as well as able to demonstrate content mastery of those area(s). For more detailed information and answers to commonly asked questions about the ‘highly qualified’ requirement, please visit the Louisiana Department of Education website.

[Return to Top]

3. Are individuals who have worked as substitute teachers eligible for the program?
If you have worked as a substitute teacher and you hold either a valid standard Louisiana teaching certificate, a standard certificate from another state, or will complete an approved education program by July 2010, you are eligible.

For more information about what it takes to earn and demonstrate Louisiana certification, please visit our section on Louisiana Teacher Certification.

[Return to Top]

4. What should I do to teach in New Orleans if I don't have a standard teaching certificate?
Please visit our teachNOLA Teaching Fellows program site by clicking here, or click "teachNOLA Teaching Fellows" on the right side of our homepage, www.teachnola.org.

[Return to Top]

5. I’m currently enrolled in an education program to become certified. Am I still eligible?
Individuals who are in an education program and will receive full certification in any state by July 2010 are eligible for the Master Teacher Corps. Candidates who will have additional coursework to complete after June 2010 are encouraged to apply to teachNOLA next year, for the 2011-2012 school year.

[Return to Top]

APPLICATION PROCESS

1. How do I apply to join teachNOLA?
Complete the online application form; submit your resume; and respond to the three Application Questions. Visit the Application Process section of the website for details. We are no longer accepting applications for the 2010-2011 school year. If you would like to stay informed about the opening of our application for the 2011-2012 school year, please follow us on Facebook and register here.

[Return to Top]

2. How long should my 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 the candidate's commitment to teaching students in New Orleans charter schools. Note: Please do not substitute a 'Philosophy of Education' or a 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.

[Return to Top]

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 convey your excellence and reflect achievements and concrete results.

[Return to Top]

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 supplementary documents or materials. Materials that are not required will be discarded. However, we do ask for the names of references on the application, whom we may contact to gain a fuller understanding of our applicants.

[Return to Top]

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 the Interview Event, at least one transcript from every college and/or university attended. While these need not be official transcripts at the Interview Event, all prospective Master Corps Teachers 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.

[Return to Top]

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 teachers 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.

[Return to Top]

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 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.

[Return to Top]

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 this website. teachNOLA does not hold interviews outside of New Orleans and, due to the volume of applicants, cannot assist with transportation costs associated with interviews.

[Return to Top]

ADMISSION AND ENROLLMENT

1. I wasn't accepted. Can I appeal the decision on my application?
No. All applications are thoroughly reviewed during our 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.

[Return to Top]

2. Can I defer acceptance into the program?
Candidates may not defer acceptance into the program; however, they may reapply the following year.

[Return to Top]

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.

[Return to Top]

4. When does the program actually begin?
All program participants hired by a school will likely start teaching in New Orleans in the summer of 2009. Last year the start dates for schools ranged from early August to early September.

[Return to Top]

YOUR TEACHING POSITION

1. Where will I be teaching?
teachNOLA teachers 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 subject area eligibility are given priority during the placement process. Ultimately, we want to place teachers 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 teachers. Most schools in which teachNOLA teachers work face challenges such as a lack of resources and students who are often working behind grade level.

[Return to Top]

2. 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 teachers will generate their own leads as well. Throughout the hiring process, the program strives to ensure effective matches are made between a candidate and 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. teachNOLA teachers must be extremely flexible about their teaching positions. Visit our page on Securing a Position to learn more.

[Return to Top]

3. 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 teacher to teach at that particular school. For more information about where teachNOLA teachers will teach, click here.

[Return to Top]

4. When will I find out where I will be teaching?
The hiring 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. The hiring process varies according to shifting school vacancy projections. Thus, it is important for Master Corps Teachers to be proactive and flexible throughout. You will receive more information about this process if you are accepted into the program.

[Return to Top]

COMPENSATION / BENEFITS

1. What is the starting salary for teachNOLA teachers?
Please see our Teacher Salary and Benefits page.

[Return to Top]

Frequently Asked Questions

TEACHING IN A NEW ORLEANS PUBLIC SCHOOL

QUALIFICATIONS

APPLICATION PROCESS

ADMISSION & ENROLLMENT

YOUR TEACHING POSITION

COMPENSATION / BENEFITS

TEACHING IN A NEW ORLEANS CHARTER SCHOOL

QUALIFICATIONS

APPLICATION PROCESS

ADMISSION AND ENROLLMENT

YOUR TEACHING POSITION

COMPENSATION / BENEFITS