Teaching in Nashville

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• What does a typical day look like?

  Schools days are typically about seven and a half hours long; however, class schedules may vary from school to school. Teachers also spend time outside the classroom preparing lessons and grading schoolwork. Fellows will attend professional development sessions or faculty meetings after school hours, in addition to licensure coursework. A teacher's first year is incredibly intense, regardless of his or her background or preparation. Fellows should be prepared to work long hours.

• Once I am a full time teacher, will I teach over the summer?

  Fellows will participate in an intensive summer training program before entering their classrooms for the first time. Review the Pre-Service Training and TNTP Academy pages for more details. However, once you secure a full-time teaching position, you would not be required to teach over the following summer. Many teachers elect to teach or tutor during the summer.

• What part of Nashville will I be teaching in?

  Nashville Teaching Fellows are encouraged to interview to teach in high-need schools, typically with records of low academic achievement, and in high-need subject areas in which the district typically has difficulty filling positions. During the district hiring process, Fellows will interview with many schools and principals, and they have control over where they interview. However, we ask Fellows to be flexible and interview to teach where they are needed most within the city of Nashville, regardless of neighborhood. For more information, review the Finding a Position page of this website.

• 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.

• I am interested in teaching exceptional education but nervous about that type of job. What does it really mean to teach exceptional education?

  Exceptional education (also known as special education) is designed around the concept of individualized curriculum to provide greater support for certain students. One of the most exciting aspects of teaching exceptional 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. The best way to get a sense of what it means to teach in an exceptional education class is to talk to a teacher or visit a classroom. Applicants should also familiarize themselves with the basic information available in the Your Teaching Position section of the website. More information and training on supporting students with special needs will be available during the summer training and through the Fellow’s licensure program.

• How long is the commitment?

  We are looking for Fellows who are planning for a lifetime career in education. The ambitious goal of the Nashville Teaching Fellows is to build a network of Nashville teachers passionate about educational equity and ready to work actively to achieve results in their classrooms on a daily basis, alongside other Metro Nashville teachers with the same focus. We also hope that outstanding individuals who enter the teaching profession through the Fellows program will continue their careers as educators in Nashville, fulfilling our shared mission of closing the achievement gap, for many years to come. While we do not have a mandatory time commitment, the coursework toward licensure will last one year.

• Why should I become part of Nashville Teaching Fellows?

  Your knowledge and experience can help ensure that every child in Nashville has access to a high-quality education. We know that there is an achievement gap in this city and in our nation, and we know that high-quality teachers are the single most important factor in raising student achievement. As a Teaching Fellow, you will join a network of like-minded professionals dedicated to closing the achievement gap and to making a difference. Click here to learn more.

Licensure

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• What does "transitional licensure" or "alternative licensure" mean?

  As an alternate route program, the Teaching 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 pre-service training program and complete further academic requirements while they teach full time, earning a full time salary. Upon entering the classroom as full time teachers in the fall, Nashville Teaching Fellows will be teaching under a "transitional license" (formerly called an "alternative license") while they are working on the necessary requirements to receive a permanent Tennessee teaching license. Review the Initial Certification Requirements section of this website for more information.

• What do I need to do to receive state licensure?

  Fellows apply for a Tennessee transitional license, allowing them to move forward with certification, after they have successfully completed the summer pre-service training. A Fellow will receive full licensure after demonstrating that s/he is an effective teacher based on student data outcomes and satisfactory principal evaluations after their first year of teaching. While teaching full-time, Fellows will complete alternative licensing coursework and requirements, meeting performance based standards.

• What exams will I need to take?

  Fellows must register for, study for, and pass the appropriate Praxis II exam before the start of the summer Pre-Service Training. The appropriate Praxis II exam will vary for each candidate, depending on a candidate’s eligibility and the subject he/she may teach in the fall. Candidates invited to interview with the Teaching Fellows program will receive individualized guidance on the appropriate exam for their candidacy with their invitation to interview, and are urged to register at that time for their exam. Review the Testing Requirements section of this website for more details on the content and deadlines for these exams.

• Why do I need to register for the Praxis exam before my interview?

  We realize that registering for the Praxis exam is a financial commitment. However, a passing score on the exam(s) is required by the state and Metro Nashville Public Schools in order to interview for positions and be hired into the district in the fall of 2012. Since the Praxis is only offered three times during our recruitment season, in order to ensure that all of our candidates are registered and eligible to teach in the district if accepted into the Fellows program, we require proof of registration for the Praxis II exam at the time of your interview. Keep in mind that Praxis scores are good for several years, and they are required for all licensed teachers in Tennessee (and many other states). So, if you are making a commitment to teaching as a career, passing Praxis scores are an investment in that career.

• Can I receive a waiver or exemption from the subject area exam, based on undergraduate coursework or professional experience?

  No, all Fellows must take and pass the Praxis II exam in the subject area they are invited to teach before the start of the summer Pre-Service Training.

• How much will my licensure courses cost?

  More detailed information on licensure costs will be provided to Fellows upon acceptance and enrollment into the program. Fellows will be responsible for the cost of their license. Review the Program Costs section for more information.

Qualifications

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• What type of person is a good candidate for Nashville 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 under-resourced areas—on a daily basis.

• How do I know if I am eligible for Nashville Teaching Fellows?

  Applicants to the Fellows program should review the strict requirements laid out on the website under Eligibility to check if they meet eligibility for the Teaching Fellows program.

• 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 encouraged to apply. The Fellows program is specifically designed to attract high-quality applicants from diverse backgrounds into the teaching profession. 

• Are individuals who have substituted in Nashville eligible for the program?

  Anyone who has worked as a full-time, licensed teacher is not eligible for this program. However, individuals who hold or have worked under substitute licenses are eligible to apply. For more details, visit the Eligibility section of this website.

• Why aren't licensed teachers eligible to apply, and what should they do to start teaching in Nashville?

  The Teaching Fellows program is specifically designed to provide training and alternative licensure to individuals who have had limited or no education coursework or experience. There are other paths to employment for licensed teachers and individuals who have completed teacher education programs. For more information on employment for licensed teachers, visit the Metropolitan Nashville Public School website.

• What if I don't have a 2.75 GPA?

  Individuals must have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or higher from an accredited college or university to be eligible to apply to this program. By cumulative GPA, we mean the GPA at the end of the transcript from your undergraduate degree-granting institution that includes both institution GPA AND transfer credit. We know that many committed individuals have lower undergraduate GPAs, and have gone on to succeed in graduate programs, or professionally. Unfortunately, the state of Tennessee has specific requirements for our program that we cannot change. One of those requirements is the 2.75 undergraduate GPA. Please review the Eligibility section for more information on our eligibility requirements before applying. Individuals with an undergraduate GPA lower than 2.75 are not eligible to apply, and Nashville Teaching Fellows cannot make exceptions to this requirement.

• Do I need to be a resident of Nashville to apply?

  No. You do not need to be a resident of Nashville 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 Nashville. For more information on living in Nashville, visit the Teaching in Nashville section of this website.

Application Process

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• How do I apply to become a Teaching Fellow?

  An application consists of a complete online application form, a resume, and responses to application questions. After reading through this website thoroughly to learn more about the program requirements and benefits, create a TeacherTrack account to apply today.

• 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 application questions). Materials that are not required will be discarded. However, we do ask for references on the application, which we may contact to receive further insight on our applicants.

• Do I need to send transcripts with my application?

  No. Due to the large number of applications, Nashville Teaching Fellows will not accept transcripts sent to our offices. During the application stage, you will only need to provide a copy (official or unofficial) of a transcript from each one of your institutions at the time of your interview. If you are invited to become a Nashville Teaching Fellow, you will eventually need a total of four (4) official, sealed transcripts from each institution you have attended. We will host a document event to collect these transcripts from all enrolled candidates prior to the summer Pre-Service Training. Fellows cannot begin training until these transcripts have been received. Please read the initial licensure requirements for more information.

• What happens after I submit my application?

  All applications are reviewed for completeness and eligibility, and then for content. Those applicants who demonstrate potential for success as 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 approximately two weeks of our receipt of your completed application. Review the Application Process page for more information. (Note: Nashville Teaching Fellows 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 February 1, 2012, will not take part in a phone interview, and this will have no negative effects on your status as a candidate.)

• 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-person Interview Event (Note: Nashville Teaching Fellows 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 3 days before their scheduled Interview Event, they may participate in their scheduled Interview Event as planned.)

• 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 in advance if you are invited to interview.

• When and where do interviews take place?

  All interviews are conducted in person in Nashville. Most interview events are held on weekends, and each candidate will be given the opportunity to sign up for an interview event that is most convenient for him/her.  We encourage candidates to apply early, as this may allow more opportunities to select a convenient interview event date and location.

• Do I have to interview in Nashville?

  Yes. We understand that it can be an investment of time and money for our out-of-town candidates to travel here to Nashville 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 and 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 Teaching Fellows. Therefore, this is not something that we can re-create by telephone or by other means.

• What is the application deadline?

  Our next application deadline is March 14, 2012, and we will have additional application deadlines in April, depending on need.  We encourage applicants to apply as soon as possible, because interview events fill up quickly, there are limited dates for Praxis exams, and there is high application volume and competition. Candidates will be informed of their interview status within approximately two weeks of our receiving their complete application. Early and Priority deadline applicants will have the benefit of more Praxis test and interview event dates, as well as the benefit of our rolling admissions to give them more time to prepare for their future classrooms.

• How can I get more information?

  We regularly hold information sessions for anyone interested in learning more about the program. To see upcoming events and register to hold a seat - create a TeacherTrack account.  Please refer to the Contact Us section if you would like to contact the Fellows office with other specific questions.

Admissions and Enrollment

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• I applied to Nashville Teaching Fellows but 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 we receive 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 to the program.

• Can I defer acceptance into the program?

  Candidates may not defer acceptance into the Teaching Fellows program; however, they may re-apply during our next recruitment season.

• Can I re-apply 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 re-apply to begin teaching the following year.

• I meet all of the Teaching Fellows eligibility requirements. Why wasn't I accepted?

  The Teaching Fellows program is highly selective, with 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 an achievement or experience, including prior teaching experience, sufficient to guarantee acceptance.

• When does the program actually begin?

  The summer Pre-Service Training is tentatively scheduled for June 11 - July 20, 2012, although these dates are subject to change depending on district initiatives or changes to the MNPS school calendar. In addition, Fellows must attend pre-training activities the week of June 4. To learn more, visit our Pre-Service Training page. Teaching Fellows may interview for positions to start teaching full time in the fall of 2012 as soon as they have passing scores in their Praxis II exam.

Your Teaching Position

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• What will I be teaching?

  Candidates to the Teaching Fellows program are invited to interview to teach specific subjects that the district has identified as high need. The subject that you are accepted to teach is based on the staffing needs of the schools and the district, your eligibility, and, where possible, your subject area preferences. Your Eligibility is determined according to strict district and state regulations. Fellows are needed to teach in subjects where Nashville students are currently most in need of strong teachers—math, science, Exceptional Education, middle school general content, foreign language, and English language learning (ELL).

• How do I know what subject I am qualified to teach?

  What you are qualified to teach largely depends on your academic history and your successful passing of the appropriate Praxis II content exam. Generally speaking, to be qualified to teach a specific subject, you must have a major or the equivalent and strong content knowledge in the field. To be qualified to teach exceptional education or middle school education, you must have a bachelor’s degree. All candidates must also pass the corresponding Praxis II exam(s). Please visit the Eligibility section for more detailed information. Candidates will receive more specific direction on what test they are required to take with their invitation to interview.

• Where will I be teaching?

  Fellows will interview to teach in high-need schools—often with fewer resources and a greater need for strong teachers. In Nashville, 119 of our 133 schools are Title I schools where children qualify for free or reduced lunch. 70% of our 77,000 students are economically disadvantaged. It is the mission of the Teaching Fellows program to staff high-need subject areas, and all candidates should be prepared to interview for positions and teach wherever they are most needed and can have the greatest impact on student achievement.

• How does the process of securing a teaching position work?

  The district hiring process is the process through which teachers interview for their specific teaching positions in high-need Nashville Public Schools and subject areas. This process generally includes interactions with both principals and MNPS human resources personnel. Although candidates may have subject area and geographical preferences, Fellows are assigned subject areas based primarily on the needs of the district, and are encouraged to interview for positions in all geographic areas. Fellows must be extremely flexible about their teaching positions. Review the Finding a Position section to learn more.

• Can I choose where I will teach?

  The Nashville Teaching Fellows program facilitates parts of the Fellows’ district hiring process, but it is ultimately the responsibility of the Fellow to present him/herself as a compelling candidate for hire. Nashville Teaching Fellows are not guaranteed a teaching position, nor are they "placed" in schools. Fellows may secure their teaching positions through job fairs, individual on-site interviews with principals and assistant principals, or through MNPS Human Resources personnel. Teaching Fellows will receive more detailed information on the district hiring process once they have been accepted to and have enrolled in the program. 

• When will I know where I will be teaching?

  Fellows will be actively engaged in the district hiring process from spring 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. Often, the schools that need teachers the most will not know about their specific hiring needs until mid- to late summer. Fellows are encouraged to be flexible about where they interview to teach, and to be diligent in sending resumes and interviewing for open positions. You will receive more information about this process if you are accepted into the Teaching Fellows program.

• Can I change schools after I have started teaching?

  We understand that the schools where our Fellows teach are often challenging environments.  Years of struggles, poverty, and a lack of resources has created the environment where not all students are expected to succeed at the same level.  Through the Fellows program, you can change that.  By remaining a positive, encouraging, inspiring force in your students' lives, you can change their perceptions of school and teachers, as well as the many adults that have not challenged or empowered them in their life.  Because of these high stakes, you are expected to teach at the school where you are originally hired and commit to positive change in that school.

Training and Resources

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• Once I become a Fellow, how will I be prepared for the classroom?

  In the summer of 2012, Fellows will complete an intensive training program from early-June to mid-July that includes practice teaching in a Nashville 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. For more information, please review our Pre-Service Training page.
  

• How intensive is summer training?

  The Teaching Fellows training program concentrates a great deal of training into only a few weeks; thus, training is extremely demanding. Due to 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 Pre-Service Training section of this website for more information.

• How long is summer training?

  The training program for Fellows is a full-time, Monday through Friday commitment from June 11 to July 20, 2012.  These dates are currently tentative and are subject to change based on district initiative or MNPS school calendar.  The Pre-Service Training typically lasts from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on weekdays.

• Will I be paid for training?

  Fellows are provided with a $1,500 pre-tax stipend. The stipend is generally distributed at the end of the summer training. 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 district payroll when they begin teaching. Please review the Salary and Benefits section of this website for more information.

• How will I be evaluated during training?

  The practice of receiving and responding to regular feedback is critical to growing as a professional educator, and at NTF, we value a culture of feedback to ensure that our teachers are as prepared as possible to raise student achievement in Nashville. Just as you will hold your students to high standards, you will be held to high standards during Pre-Service Training, and you will be expected to be a reflective practitioner in order to demonstrate your growth as a teacher. Fellows are formally evaluated during our Pre-Service Training on their proficiency in the Fast Start skills, based on observations of their field experience with summer school students; demonstrated professionalism; and fulfillment of program expectations. Every activity during training will be geared toward developing Fellow proficiency in the Fast Start skills, but we anticipate that that not all Fellows will successfully complete training, as we will ensure that only those who’ve mastered the Fast Start skills will successfully complete summer training and be hired in Metro Nashville Public Schools.
  

• What kind of ongoing resources and connections are available to Teaching Fellows?

  Fellows often look to develop their most basic, ongoing support network at their schools and from their cohort of Teaching Fellows. After Pre-Service Training, Fellows will engage in regular sessions with their colleagues through the TNTP Academy. Although every situation is different, Fellows may collaborate with and access resources from other teachers at their school, district instructional specialists, assistant principals, principals, or a grade or subject-level team. Moreover, summer training events facilitate connections among Fellows who often teach the same subjects areas. Fellows may take advantage of district and school-sponsored professional development programs. In addition, the Teaching Fellows program office also makes Fellows aware of professional development and networking opportunities throughout the year. New Teaching Fellows can draw on their connections with other Fellows and district teachers as a resource for planning, reflection, and shared encouragement as they strive for excellence in their individual classrooms.

• How are Fellows evaluated once they are in the classroom?

  Fellows have access to several resources once they enter the classroom and are evaluated frequently to ensure that they are effectively teaching their students. Like all teachers, Fellows will be formally and informally evaluated by their principals or assistant principals. Final evaluation at the conclusion of a Fellows' first year in the classroom will be required in order for the Fellow to be eligible for licensure. This evaluation takes into account student outcomes, principal evaluation, and completion of NTF program requirements.

Compensation and Benefits

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• What is the starting salary for Nashville Teaching Fellows?

  The starting salary for Fellows is the same as that for all other beginning teachers in the district. Starting teachers with no previous classroom experience typically earn $34,059 in their first year, depending on their education level and related coursework. Fellows become salaried employees of the district when all teachers report to work at the start of the school year; teachers normally receive their first pay check during the first month of teaching. Candidates should refer to the Salary & Benefits section of this website for more information.

• What employment benefits do Fellows receive?

  Fellows are eligible for the same benefits as all other district teachers, including health insurance and a pension plan. For more information about benefits, refer to the Salary & Benefits section of this website.