DC Teaching Fellows

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Online Information Session
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Information Session Agenda

• What is the Chicago Teaching Fellows?
• Eligibility Requirements
• What Tests Do I Have to Take?
• The Fellows Experience
• How Do I Apply?

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Information Session Agenda

• What is the Chicago Teaching Fellows?
• Eligibility Requirements
• What Tests Do I Have to Take?
• The Fellows Experience
• How Do I Apply?

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Chicago Teaching Fellows Overview

• Chicago Teaching Fellows (CTF) is the Chicago
  Public Schools (CPS) alternative certification
  program.
• We seek outstanding mid-career professionals and
  recent college graduates from diverse backgrounds
  who have shown a record of commitment and
  achievement to commit to teaching in our school
  system
• We look for creative minded, patient and flexible
  candidates who understand the level of dedication
  it takes to improve a system one classroom at a
  time
• A background in education is not required

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Chicago Teaching Fellows Program Overview
(continued)
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CTF is a highly selective program that seeks to
provide Chicagos students with outstanding
teachers.
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Information Session Agenda

• What is the Chicago Teaching Fellows?
• Eligibility Requirements
• What Tests Do I Have to Take?
• The Fellows Experience
• How Do I Apply?

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Who is eligible?

• Applicants must be eligible to work in Chicago
  Public Schools (CPS). As a condition of
  employment with CPS, candidates must provide
  photo identification and documents that
  demonstrate authorization to work in the United
  States.

• Applicants must have a bachelor's degree
  (conferred by June, 2007) with a minimum GPA of
  3.0 (GPA exceptions may be made for candidates
  who demonstrate exceptional achievement
  elsewhere). 

• Applicants must not be certified in any state,
  currently enrolled in a certification program, or
  have taken more than 6 courses towards
  certification since the Chicago Teaching Fellows
  program is designed for candidates who do not
  have a previous background in education. 

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What subjects am I eligible to teach?
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Information Session Agenda

• What is the Chicago Teaching Fellows?
• Eligibility Requirements
• What Tests Do I Have to Take?
• The Fellows Experience
• How Do I Apply?

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All Fellows must take and pass the Basic Skills
test and the required content area tests. Score
reports must be on file with CTF by June 1, 2007.

Chinese and Spanish Fellows may also have to
pass the ACTFL test. Once enrolled, further
information will be provided. April 24th is the
last day that a candidate can register for the
ICTS examinations in order to receive a passing
score by the Chicago Teaching Fellows enrollment
deadline
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Content Area Test Information
Please note that candidates who are invited to
an interview will be assigned to a subject area
by CTF and will be advised on the content area
test that should be taken.
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Testing summary

• We require that all Chicago Teaching Fellows have
  official test score reports on file no later than
  June 1, 2007. 
• Exceptions CANNOT be made for Fellows who do not
  pass their exams by the appropriate dates. 
• April 24th is the last day that a candidate can
  register for ICTS examinations in order to
  receive a passing score by the Chicago Teaching
  Fellows enrollment deadline.
• Chinese and Spanish Fellows may also have to take
  the ACTFL.

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Information Session Agenda

• What is the Chicago Teaching Fellows?
• Eligibility Requirements
• What Tests Do I Have to Take?
• The Fellows Experience
• How Do I Apply?

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Make a difference
Close the achievement gap
Challenge yourself
Apply Now
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Benefits of Chicago Teaching Fellows
Provides a streamlined, efficient way to begin
teaching in Chicago Public Schools
Gain access to a network of highly qualified
and committed Fellows
Become a teacher without experience or a
background in education
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Information Session Agenda

• What is the Chicago Teaching Fellows?
• Eligibility Requirements
• What Tests Do I Have to Take?
• The Fellows Experience
• How do I apply?

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The application processin a nutshell
Go to www.chicagoteachingfellows.org to review
program information and apply online!

• Complete application, upload a professional
  resume and your personal statement.
• Your personal statement should answer the
  following questions in 500-1000 words
• 1. Why do you want to become a teacher?
• 2. Nearly all Fellows are placed in high-need
  schools that are located in low-income
  communities. Why do you want to teach
  specifically in a high-need school?
• 3. The most important responsibility of a
  teacher is to ensure high academic achievement
  for all students. Describe a skill or ability
  that you have that will help you reach this
  goal. Please provide an example of how you have
  effectively used this skill or ability in the
  past.

You will be notified of your application status
within approximately two weeks of the date you
submit it.
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Application Timeline
Submit Application Online
Interview Granted Notification Mailed
Offer Extended Notification dates correspond to
interview dates
6-hour Interview Day

• 5-minute teaching sample
• writing sample
• group discussion
• personal interview

Enrollment Within 3 weeks of Offer
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Transcripts, verification and other questions!

• No transcripts (official or unofficial) are
  needed at this time. We ask that you refrain
  from mailing or faxing transcripts to our office.
• If invited to an interview, you will be asked to
  bring an official copy of ALL transcripts, from
  every college and university attended, or other
  programs where you received college credit, as
  part of your Interview Day materials.
• Upon enrollment, Fellows will need to submit
  three (3) OFFICIAL copies of transcripts for
  verification. The deadline to submit these
  transcripts is May 15, 2007.

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Thank you!

• If you have additional questions, please email
• info_at_chicagoteachingfellows.org
• Or call 773-553-4014
• Call-in hours are Monday-Friday, 2-3pm

Apply Today!