Your Teaching Position

Candidates accepted into Nashville Teaching Fellows will teach in one of a few critical-need subject areas. The subject in which Fellows are invited to teach is based on teaching eligibility, district need, and—whenever possible—the candidate’s stated preferences. We are currently recruiting for English, math, science, Exceptional Education, middle school general content, foreign language, and English language learning (ELL). Eligibility is determined according to strict district, state, and licensing requirements which stipulate that in order to teach a subject, candidates must demonstrate competence in that subject. Fellows must pass specific examinations in order to begin the Pre-Service Training in summer 2012 and to start teaching full time in the fall.

Finding a Position

If you successfully complete our rigorous Pre-Service Training, you enter the job search pool just like any other teacher. It is important to understand that you are not guaranteed a job within MNPS, nor will you be "placed" in a classroom. The district hiring process can be challenging. Due to mobility within the school system, it is often difficult to predict exact vacancies until very close to, and in some cases just after, the beginning of the school year. Additionally, hiring is largely driven by school needs and each candidate’s qualifications.

As you begin your job search, Nashville Teaching Fellows will connect you with vacancy postings, share timely news about upcoming school and district job fairs, and occasionally coordinate interviews with principals who reach out to us regarding teaching openings at their schools. In addition, our team offers hands-on assistance through job-search workshops, résumé review support, mock interview events, and other related services.

As a Fellow, you must be prepared to be extremely flexible about your teaching assignment, with the expectation that you will work in the school where you are needed most.

Admission to Nashville Teaching Fellows is the first step toward becoming a teacher in Nashville and does not guarantee that you will find a teaching position for the fall.  In addition, Fellows must successfully complete our rigorous Pre-Service Training and master our Fast Start skills to begin teaching in the fall, and we anticipate that not all Fellows who begin training will successfully complete it. If you do secure a position before the end of Pre-Service Training, your hiring will be contingent on successfully completing Pre-Service Training.

A Typical Teaching Day

The first year for any new teacher is challenging, and you should anticipate an intense effort, especially at the beginning of the year. A full teaching day is just under seven hours, from start to finish. Beyond the formal school day, you should expect to spend substantial time out of class preparing lessons, grading student work, and communicating with parents and guardians. You may have after-school meetings with school staff, your grade-level or subject team, or students’ family members. You will also attend courses at TNTP Academy as you pursue your teaching license, along with other professional development activities to build your skills in the classroom.

Once you begin teaching, you are responsible for achieving significant learning growth with all of your students. You will hold yourself accountable by measuring student outcomes in your classroom and making changes to your teaching practice. You will receive rigorous training and ongoing support throughout your first year in the classroom. In turn, you will be required to demonstrate academic growth with your students in order to successfully complete our program and be recommended for full licensure.