TEACHING IN A NEW ORLEANS PUBLIC SCHOOL
What is a charter school?
What is the RSD?
What part of New Orleans will I be teaching in?
How are public schools in New Orleans structured?
How safe are the schools?
I am interested in teaching special education but nervous about that type of job. What does it really mean to teach special education?
How long is the commitment?
Why should I become part of teachNOLA?
CERTIFICATION
What does “alternative certification” mean?
Will I receive state certification?
What exams do I need to take?
What type of certification will I receive?
How long will it take to complete the certification program?
How much will the certification program cost?
QUALIFICATIONS
What type of person is a good candidate for the teachNOLA Fellows program?
How do I know if I am eligible for teachNOLA?
Am I eligible if I have no prior teaching experience or prior coursework in education?
Are individuals who have substituted in public schools in New Orleans eligible for the program?
What if I’m already certified?
I'm currently enrolled in a certification program to become certified. Am I still eligible?
What if I don't have a 3.0 GPA?
Do I need to be a resident of New Orleans or Louisiana to apply?
APPLICATION PROCESS
How do I apply to join teachNOLA?
How long should my responses to the Application Questions be?
What should I include in my resume?
Can I include letters of recommendation with my application?
Do I need to send transcripts with my application?
What happens after I submit my application?
What happens during an Interview Event?
When and where do interviews take place?
Do I have to interview in New Orleans?
ADMISSION & ENROLLMENT
I wasn't accepted. Can I appeal the decision on my application?
Can I defer acceptance into the program?
Can I reapply to the program next year if I am not accepted?
I meet all of the teachNOLA eligibility requirements. Why wasn’t I accepted?
When does the program actually begin?
YOUR TEACHING POSITION
What will I be teaching?
How do I know what subject I am qualified to teach?
Where will I be teaching?
How does the process of securing a school work?
Can I choose where I will teach?
When will I find out where I will be teaching?
TRAINING AND ONGOING RESOURCES
Once I become a Fellow, how will I be prepared for the classroom?
How intensive is the summer training?
How long is summer training?
Will I be paid for training?
What kind of ongoing resources and connections are available to Teaching Fellows?
COMPENSATION / BENEFITS
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 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.
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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 16 traditional schools and 50 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.
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3. What part of New Orleans will I be teaching in?
teachNOLA Teaching Fellows will secure full-time teaching positions in the RSD and in partner charter schools across New Orleans. 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.
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4. How are public schools in New Orleans structured?
Following Hurricane Katrina, the city’s school district was dramatically reconfigured. 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.
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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 exists to provide an individualized curriculum and greater support for certain students. One of the most exciting aspects of 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 for supporting students with special needs will be available during the summer training and through the Fellow’s certification program.
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7. How long is the commitment?
We hope that Fellows will commit to a lifelong career in education and we expect all teachNOLA Fellows to teach for a minimum of three years. teachNOLA aims 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. We also hope that outstanding individuals who enter the teaching profession through the Fellows program will continue their careers as educators in New Orleans. Together, we will fulfill our shared mission of closing the achievement gap for many years to come.
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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 your students’ achievement and broadening the scope of their futures. teachNOLA Fellows make up a dynamic network of professionals dedicated to improving public schools; it is an inspiring group to be a part of.
teachNOLA Fellows 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.
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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.
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2. Will I receive state certification?
a. Certification: Yes, you will work towards certification while enrolled in our program. 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 (read more here).
b. Licensing: Once accepted, TNTP Academy 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. For more information on certification, including the components that will make you eligible for a Level I license (which include your ability to demonstrate effectiveness based on student achievement data, a positive principal evaluation, and completion of programmatic requirements), please click here.
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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.
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4. 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. Please note that successful completion of the TNTP Academy is contingent on your ability to demonstrate effectiveness based on student achievement data, a positive principal evaluation, and completion of programmatic requirements. Fellows attend classes during the school year, usually in the evenings, once or twice a week.
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5. 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 2011, tuition costs were $4,000 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.
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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 past experiences. Strong candidates are those who are committed to improving student achievement, who display excellence in their previous endeavors, and who are dedicated to reaching and influencing students—especially those in high-need areas—on a daily basis. Current teachNOLA Fellows include former social workers, business professionals, homemakers and recent graduates of Dillard, Xavier, Morehouse, Harvard, Tulane, Howard, and Princeton.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 Master Teacher Corps program.
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6. I’m currently enrolled in a certification program to become certified. Am I still eligible?
Candidates applying for the Summer 2012 Cohort enrolled in teacher certification and/or alternative route teacher preparation coursework who will have 12 or more credits completed by June 1, 2012 are not eligible to participate in the teachNOLA Summer Teaching Fellows program. All Fellows, regardless of prior education coursework, will be required to complete all components of the Fellows program, including the summer Training Institute and all requirements of an approved certification program. In most cases, 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 2012 should apply to become part of our Master Teacher Corps.
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7. What if I don't have a 2.5 GPA?
Individuals must have a GPA of 2.5 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. 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. teachNOLA is not authorized to grant exceptions to this policy. Please review the Eligibility Requirements section for more information on our eligibility requirements before applying.
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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 needed 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.
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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. We encourage you to follow us on Facebook and to register here to receive updates on the availability of our application for the 2012-2013 school year.
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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 the candidate's 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 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.
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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 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 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 an initial phone 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. (Note: teachNOLA is adding the initial phone interview on February 1 as part of streamlining our application process. Candidates who participate in an in-person Interview Event prior to XXXX will not take part in a phone interview, and this will have no negative effects on your status as a candidate.)
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7. What happens during an initial phone interview?
In an initial phone interview, we assess candidate strengths in our essential traits. Candidates who demonstrate strengths in our essential traits in the initial phone interview will be invited to an in-pereson Interview Event (Note: teachNOLA is adding the initial phone interview as of February 1 as part of streamlining our application process. Some candidates may have received an invitation to an in-person Interview Event before receiving notification of the required phone interview. As long as these candidates complete the phone interview at least X days before their scheduled Interview Event, they may participate in their scheduled Interview Event as planned.)
8. What happens during an Interview Event?
In an Interview Event, we assess candidate strengths in our essential traits and baseline proficiency in our Fast Start skills . An Interview Event consists of both a group session and an individual interview. Each candidate will present a sample teaching lesson, engage in a one-on-one interview with a program interviewer, and re-teach their sample lesson based on feedback from their program interviewer. More information about the Interview Event will be provided to invited candidates in advance.
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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, Interview Events are comprehensive encounters designed to enable you to demonstrate your commitment to closing the achievement gap and your potential to become an excellent teacher. They are also your chance to meet other potential teachNOLA Fellows and explore the city where you might be relocating. Therefore, Interview Events cannot be re-created by telephone or other means.
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10. When and where do interviews take place?
All interviews are conducted in person in New Orleans. 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 their teachNOLA account. 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.
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.
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2. Can I defer acceptance into the program?
Candidates may not defer acceptance into the program; however, they may reapply the following year.
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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. No single achievement or experience, including prior teaching experience, is sufficient to guarantee acceptance.
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5. When does the program actually begin?
All Fellows accepted into the program must attend the summer Pre-Service Training. While dates are currently being finalized, the Pre-Service is tentatively scheduled scheduled to begin in late May or early June 2011 and run through early to late July 2011. 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 New Orleans’ highest-need subject areas—science, math, Spanish, early childhood education and special education.
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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. 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, Elementary, etc). You will receive more training tailored for special education during the Pre-Service Training.
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 direct-run schools or one of the programs partner open enrollment charter schools in New Orleans, Jefferson Parish, or East Baton Rouge. 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 Fellows to secure positions where they are needed most. 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 hiring 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 hiring 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 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.
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6. 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 Fellows to be proactive and flexible throughout. 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 2012, Fellows will complete an intensive five- to six-week Pre-Service Training that includes practice teaching in a New Orleans summer school classroom and daily skill-building and coaching sessions led by experienced teachers, all geared to build mastery in the Fast Start skills. Attendance at all components of training is mandatory. Please click here for more information.
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2. How intensive is the Pre-Service Training?
During the Pre-Service Training, Fellows receive a great deal of training in the span of 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.
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3. How long is Pre-Service Training?
The training program for Fellows is a full-time, five-week commitment over the summer. Due to the amount of time Fellows spend on training-related work in the evenings, it is typically not possible to have a job outside of training hours. The Pre-Service Training has been tentatively scheduled to begin in late May or early June and run through early to mid-July 2012.
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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.
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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 and share resources with 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.
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