HIRING, CERTIFICATION, & TESTING INFORMATION GREATER...

HIRING, CERTIFICATION, & TESTING INFORMATION

GREATER NEW ORLEANS

Teach for America • Greater New Orleans 2

IN THIS SECTION:

Hiring, Certification, & Testing Information

Overview of Hiring

» Hiring Partner Need

» Timeline

» Your role

Overview of Certification

» Overview of Teacher Certification & Master’s Programs

» Types of Certificates

» Certification Partners

Overview of Testing

» Preparation

» Types of Tests

» Additional Math & Science Preparation


OVERVIEW OF CORPS MEMBER HIRING

“Hiring,” is the word we use to describe the process by which you obtain a particular teaching position with a specific partner school (e.g., seventh grade English at Washington Middle School). However, this process is really a mix of “hiring” and “placement,” because while there are some elements of a traditional job search, it is based largely on school need. Our District & School Partnerships team (DSP team) partners with corps members and school leaders to ensure that you are able to make a significant impact on students. Together we engage in a hiring process that ensures that vacancies existing in specific content areas in our partner schools are filled. We have a network of over 80 schools that support having Teach For America corps members and alumni as part of their faculty, and you will be hired at one of these schools. Schools in Greater New Orleans come in all shapes and sizes and have different values, goals, and visions for the future. We don’t believe there is one right way to get to “One Day,” for kids, so we support many different models. To ensure we are able to make the strongest recommendations during your hiring process, the DSP Team will spend the winter and spring getting to know your strengths, passions, and goals, and then will work with partner schools to see which vacancies you can best fill to have the greatest impact with our kids. HIRING PARTNER NEED It is our job, first and foremost, to meet the needs of our students. This means that although most corps members will secure a position

that matches their original certification assignment, there is a possibility that your certification assignment will change as a result of changing district, school, or site-level needs.

TIMELINE In Greater New Orleans, hiring begins in January. We facilitate early hiring with our partners because the sooner you know your exact placement, the sooner you know logistical details like where exactly you will be teaching, and what your start date after Institute will be. Last year, 95% of our corps was hired before

Institute. Once you accept your offer to join the GNO 2017 corps you will begin moving through the steps of onboarding which includes the hiring process. During this time, you will work with the DSP team to identify your key strengths and prepare to engage with school leaders. Then, you will attend one of our in-person hiring events here in New Orleans! We will hold 3 events in January, March, and May. If traveling to New Orleans presents a financial burden for you, there is a needs-based travel scholarship that you can apply for. While you are in New Orleans you will stay with volunteer current corps members. This event is not only an important time to secure a teaching position, but it is also an exciting few days where you will get to

know our staff, your fellow corps members, alumni, schools and students, and the city of New Orleans. These events are a unique and fun experience! “My favorite part [of the Hiring Event] was actually getting to meet with the students on the campus visits. Whether it was at lunch in the cafeteria or at recess - because suddenly I was playing soccer with possible future students, and I was being asked ‘are you our new math teacher?’ and it was all real!”

– Jordan Dreier, 2016 Corps Member


VISUAL TIMELINE

“The amount of individual help and communication that the hiring team is willing to give to incoming members getting hired is wonderful. After talking one on one with members of the hiring team I felt very prepared for the event. ”

– Jerelyn Luther, 2016 Corps MemberYOUR ROLE It is the DSP Team’s job to ensure that you secure a teaching placement. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are 100% ready to execute high quality interviews. In order to achieve these aims and have a successful partnership, there are certain responsibilities that you hold throughout the winter and spring:

Keeping the DSP team updated of any contact information changes, and promptly answering email, phone and texts related to hiring.

Creating a high quality resume and profile that highlight your experience relevant to teaching and that will enable you to stand out during this process.

Participate in a training led by the DSP team detailing the logistics of the hiring cycle and events.

Engage in one-on-one interview preparation with Julia, a member of the DSP Team.

“I loved meeting the awesome staff and fellow corps member. It made me sure that I absolutely mad e the right choice with TFA GNO.”

– Jonathan Delman, 2016 Corps Member

You accept your offer to join the

2017 GNO corps!

You prepare for the hiring process by completing a

series of exercises facilited by the DSP team.

The DSP team works to match you with school

vacancies for interviews.

You interview with multiple

school leaders at Hiring Events in New Orleans.

You reflect on interviews , incorporate

feedback, and continue to interview.

The DSP team ensures you

secure a teaching position!


TEACHER CERTIFICATION

The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001 requires that teachers meet a specific set of criteria, partially determined by each state, in order to be deemed "highly qualified." In Louisiana, this means that corps members must take and pass exams before teaching and enroll in an alternative certification program during their two-year commitments. High-needs schools and districts, including the ones where corps members work, receive federal funding through Title I, which is based on this NCLB compliance.

WHY CERTIFICATION MATTERS Certification is directly tied to the movement that we are building in our communities and across the nation. As a Teach For America corps member, you are also an educator, and therefore are held to the same legal and professional expectations as your peers.

Certification matters to school leaders and other teachers in a school. If a teacher is not certified, he or she puts the school’s federal funding at risk and is often seen as less legitimate and unprofessional by school employees and community members who value professionalism. In addition, uncertified teachers risk their job

security and salaries; they are usually paid at a lower rate and are usually the first to be terminated if a district’s budget is cut.

Certification matters to parents and members of the community. It is a crucial element in the movement to consider low-income communities equal to affluent ones.

Mostly importantly, certification matters for students. The fundamental experience of certification proves successful for kids, which is why we require all of our teachers to go through it. CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS To teach without a traditional background, corps members

participate in a certification program while teaching in their first year. Teach For America – Greater New Orleans partners with two certification programs; The New Teacher Project Academy (TNTP Academy) and Relay Graduate School of Education (Relay GSE). More information about these programs is described on page 8. Throughout the winter and spring you will learn much more about these different certification programs and determine which one is the best option for you. You will also take Praxis exam (s) and turn in documents (such as a transcript and money order) to ensure you are prepared to enroll in a certification program when you arrive in New Orleans for Induction in early June.

You can expect to pay between $4,000 and $9,000 for certification tuition throughout the year, depending on the program in which you enroll. You should also expect to pay $400 for testing expenses prior to the first day of school and $400 in testing expenses during your first year teaching. Teach For America – Greater New Orleans does not have funding available to help with these costs, however some partner schools will supplement parts of your tuition.

MASTER’S PROGRAMS Both partner certification programs offer an optional master’s program in your second year – and you don’t have to decide until your second year if you want to pursue it! One of our certification programs (TNTP) actually offers this option through a partnership with John’s Hopkins, which allows you to complete a Master of Arts in Teaching (typically a 2-year program) in 1 year.

“I like the flexibility of the program being online and the partnership with Johns Hopkins Master’s Program” - Satcha Sanon, 2016 Corps Member


TYPES OF CERTIFICATES

All corps members will apply for an initial certificate which will depend on their teaching background. The 2 options are a Practitioner’s License (PL) or an Out of State Certificate (OSC). Most corps members receive a PL as a new teacher enrolling in a certification course, however if you are already certified in any other state, you will be eligible for an OSC. Both of these certificates ensure that you are certified during your first year of teaching while you are working through your certification program, and towards a full certificate; the Level 1 License. The Level 1 License offers professional flexibility such as reciprocity with some other states, option to add additional content areas, and renewability.

*Test numbers differ across states, so it is possible you will need to retake Louisiana-specific tests.

PRACTITIONER’S LICENSE (PL) – BY SEPTEMBER, 2017 The “learner’s permit” of teaching certificates, the PL is a temporary license you use during your first year teaching while pursuing full licensure. PLs are non-renewable and are only eligible for one certification area.

REQUIREMENTS:

Enroll in Department of Education-permitted certification program.

Successfully pass of all Louisiana Praxis exam requirements.

Submission of all Department of Education documentation on time.

OUT OF STATE CERTIFICATE (OSC) – BY SEPTEMBER, 2017 Any teachers who are certified in a state outside Louisiana prior to May 2015 are eligible for the OS. OS certificates expire permanently in three years and are not eligible for reciprocity or additional content areas.

REQUIREMENTS:

Proof of completion (out of state certificate) of a certification program.

Successfully pass of all Louisiana Praxis exam requirements*.


LEVEL 1 LICENSE – BY JUNE, 2018 The goal for all Teach For America corps members. The L1 is renewable, eligible for reciprocity with many other states, and eligible for additionally added certification content areas.

REQUIREMENTS:

Complete Department of Education-permitted certification program.

Successfully pass of all Louisiana Praxis exam requirements.



CERTIFICATION PARTNER PROGRAMS

While certification is a requirement for all corps members, Teach For America-Greater New Orleans has two unique partner programs that you can choose to pursue your certification with. These programs are described below.

*Please note that you will not receive your TFA AmeriCorps award until the end of your first year teaching, however Relay will allow you to put that amount toward your cost in your first year.

TNTP Academy Relay GSE

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

TNTP Academy has trained high-performing teachers for over 12 years and has been the top-performing teacher certification provider for the past five years.

Relay GSE offers programs that go beyond basic training with an unforgettable cohort experience, supportive faculty advisors, deeply knowledgeable instructors, and committed peers. New teachers who join Relay will see immediate improvement in their own practice because of the practical, challenging curriculum.

ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS

(Includes Department of Education requirements)

- Passing Praxis I and Praxis II scores - $50 DOE money order - Conferred, official transcripts - License application - Minimum GPA > 2.5 / 4.0

- Passing Praxis I and Praxis II scores - $50 DOE money order - Conferred, official transcripts - Online application - Short essay - Minimum GPA > 2.75 / 4.0

COST (Based on 2016-17 costs)

$4,400 (Certification only) $18,000 (master’s program only before AmeriCorps)

$8,750 (Certification only before AmeriCorps) $17,500 (Certification + master’s before AmeriCorps)

PAYMENT OPTIONS (Based on 2016-17 options)

Flexible payment plan available Certification cannot be paid with AmeriCorps*, but the master’s program can be Financial aid available for the master’s only

Flexible payment plan available Both can be paid with AmeriCorps* Financial aid available for both

CLASS FREQUENCY All coursework is structured in online modules so there is flexibility in the weekly workload

In-person class sessions two weeknights per month and one Saturday per month throughout the school year

PROGRAM DURATION 10 months (certification only) 24 months ( certification + master’s)

10 months (certification only) 20 months ( certification + option)

DEGREES/CERTIFICATES AWARDED

Louisiana Level 1 Certificate Optional Master of Arts in Teaching from Johns Hopkins University

Louisiana Level 1 Certificate Optional Master of Arts in Teaching

FOR MORE INFORMATION http://tntpacademylouisiana.org www.relay.edu

http://tntpacademylouisiana.org/

http://www.relay.edu/


OVERVIEW OF TESTING

The first step in becoming a certified, “highly qualified,” teacher is passing all of your testing requirements. In order to meet the requirements to be able to teach in Louisiana described above, all teachers must take and pass one or more exams depending on your teaching assignment. This section will provide you with information about which tests you need to take and how to

register.

Taking and passing the Louisiana Praxis tests is required in order to be hired by and teach in our partner school districts, charters, and early childhood education sites. While the District & School Partnerships team will recommend resources for you to use in preparing for your tests and to assist you in the registration process, it is your responsibility to pass all of your exams and

fulfill your certification requirements. Corps members who register early, plan ahead, and prepare adequately have been able to pass these exams easily. We strongly advise you to plan a study schedule to stick to. Start with a diagnostic test, and focus on your areas of need. We recommend studying daily for 4 weeks and more if you have no experience or context with the subject. You will receive access to lots of resources (such as diagnostics, study guides and personalized study plan support) after you confirm your offer.

PREPARATION It is crucial to budget enough time to thoroughly prepare for the actual test. We have found in the past that corps members spent anywhere from 20 - 40 total hours in order to adequately prepare

for the exams. The tests are very specific and unfortunately corps members have failed these exams, despite having majored in the same

field as the exams they took, if they didn’t allow proper study time.

Below are some key themes to consider when planning your test preparation.

• Understand what the test covers • Diagnose how well you know the test material • Gather study materials • Plan and organize your time • Practice explaining the key concepts with a friend or fellow

corps member • Learn how questions will be scored • Leverage your new network of fellow corps members and

alumni

After confirming you offer, you will receive more information about which test(s) to sign up for, exactly how to register, and when you need to take your test(s) by. In addition, your fellow corps members are a huge resource to tap into to work with and support one another.

“I loved getting to meet the people in my certification area and remaining with them a lot of the time. Being grouped together really helped us to help each other and pull each other up when we were tired or nervous. I think that having a group community all helping each other was amazing and really helped me to get to know everyone even out of my certification area.”

- Erin De Vita, 2016 Corps Member


TYPES OF TESTS

In order to facilitate the hiring process, as well ensure a smooth transition to the region, it is important that you register for your tests and take them as specified below. We know that you have many competing priorities in your life, many of which will only grow towards the end of the spring as you prepare to finish school, leave a job, move to a new city, and engage in the hiring process. This is why it is so important to get these tests out of the way as early as possible. The sooner you are done with your testing, the smoother the rest of your transition will be. You will receive more information specifically about which tests you need to take and preparation tips after you confirm your offer.

Requirement Who Should Take It? Description

PRAXIS I All corps members whose ACT/SAT scores or master’s degree do not exempt them from the tests (see below to learn about exemption).

The Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators Tests consist of three separate tests that measure basic comprehension of the sections; Reading, Writing and Math. The tests are delivered on computer and may be taken either as three separate tests on separate days or as one combined test.

PRAXIS I ALTERNATIVE All corps members whose ACT/SAT scores or master’s degree do exempt them from the tests.

In Louisiana, having a certain score on the SAT, ACT or a master degree in any subject will exempt you from needing to take the test described above. You must have an SAT score of 1030 combined (only math and reading) or an ACT score of 22 composite to qualify for exemption.

PRAXIS II All corps members The Praxis II is a content-based test that is required for every teacher in Louisiana. There are many different Praxis II tests, and you will take the one that aligns with the subject area you will be teaching You will receive specific test codes and registration instructions after you confirm your offer.

PRINCIPLES OF LEARNING & TEACHING

All corps members These tests measure knowledge of pedagogy and theory. They are a combination of case studies and multiple choice questions. You will take the PLT exams during the spring of your first year teaching as you will have the context and technical knowledge to excel on the test.


FOR MATH & SCIENCE TEACHERS

Passing the Praxis is just your first step towards becoming the incredible math/science teacher that your students desperately need. It ensures that you can solve problems and answer questions, but our most successful teachers, regardless of what they studied in college, also develop a deep understanding of mathematical

and scientific ideas, theories, and themes.

The spring is the perfect opportunity to get a jump start on that preparation. While you’re studying for the Praxis we also recommend doing one or more of the following so that you’ve got a solid content foundation to build on at institute:

• In addition to test preparation books specifically designed for

the Louisiana, check middle and high school textbooks out of your local library. Take the included chapter tests and use your results as an indicator of which topics to prioritize.

• Download and take sample student tests from these highly- regarded sources:

» NY Regents (all subjects) http://www.nysedregents.org/ » MCAS (all subjects)

www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/testitems.html » College Board AP tests (all subjects) http://www.

collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/subjects.html » The American Diploma Project Assessment Consortium

(math) http://achieve.org/ADPAssessmentConsortium • Watch videos and complete practice problems on

LearnZillion.com. Unlike many video sites, it has been

carefully designed to model strong pedagogy and includes teacher narration. For higher-level courses, consider MIT OpenCourseWare online courses, particularly those targeted

at high school students: http://ocw.mit.edu/high-school/ • Audit a remedial math course or entry-level science course at

a local college/university and talk to the instructors about the content that their students find most challenging. Ask how they typically explain it to struggling students.

• Spend time in person or virtually connecting with fellow corps members who are studying for the same tests.

During institute and in the region, your primary focus will be pedagogy-- how to teach, rather than what to teach-- and the more you can master the content before you arrive, the more effective you will be.

http://www.nysedregents.org/

http://www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/testitems

http://www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/testitems

http://www/

http://achieve.org/ADPAssessmentConsortium

http://ocw.mit.edu/high-school/


HIRING, CERTIFICATION, & TESTING INFORMATION

GREATER NEW ORLEANS

The TFA-GNO Office 1055 Saint Charles Avenue, Suite 600 New Orleans, Louisiana, 70130 504.648.6900

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