Chicago Teaching Fellows :: Making a difference in our city's classrooms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Application Deadline: We are no longer accepting new applications for the 2009/2010 school year. Please visit our website in October 2009 to view opportunities for the 2010-2011 school year. If you would like to be notified once we begin accepting applications, please click here.

Teaching in Chicago

What is the Chicago Teaching Fellows?

Why should I become part of Chicago Teaching Fellows?

What is a typical class size?

What does a typical day look like?

How is Chicago Public Schools structured?

How safe are the schools?

How long is my time commitment to the Chicago Teaching Fellows?

Qualifications and Eligibility

What kind of background do I need?

Are certified teachers eligible for the program?

Am I eligible if I have no prior teaching experience or coursework in education?

Do I need to be a resident of the city of Chicago to apply?

What if I don't have a 3.0 undergraduate GPA?

If I've already completed all of my education coursework and only need to complete student teaching or pass the ICTS exams, am I still eligible?

Application Process

How do I apply?

What should I include in my response to the Application Questions?

Do I need to send transcripts with my application?
What happens after I apply?

What happens during an interview event?

Where and when do interviews take place?

How can I get more information beyond what is offered here on the website?

Certification and Testing

Will I receive certification?

Will I be responsible for the cost of tuition?

How do I know which university partner I will attend?

Will I receive a Master's degree?

Are there any required exams I should take?

When should I register for and take the ICTS examinations?

Which Institution Code should I enter when registering for the ICTS examinations?

Admission and Enrollment

Can I defer acceptance into the program?

I meet all of the program's eligibility requirements. Why wasn't I accepted?
I wasn't accepted. Can I appeal the decision?

Can I re-apply to the program next year if I am not accepted?

When does the program actually begin?

Your Teacher Job

Where will I teach?

What will I be teaching?

How do I know what subject area I am qualified to teach?
Can I choose where I will teach?

Training and Resources

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

How intensive is the training Institute?

Will I be paid for training?

What ongoing resources and connections are available for Fellows once they are in the classroom?

Compensation and Benefits

How much will I be paid?

Is there a cost to participate in this program?

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Teaching in Chicago

What is the Chicago Teaching Fellows program?
The Chicago Teaching Fellows program recruits outstanding professionals to become teachers in critical need subject areas in Chicago’s high-need public schools. Our mission is to attract high-quality candidates to teach in Chicago, in schools and classrooms that need them the most. We are looking for people from all walks of life, including those with limited or no experience or coursework in education, who can impact our children's education and strengthen our communities. Mid-career professionals and recent college graduates are both welcome to apply.
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Why should I become part of Chicago Teaching Fellows?
The Chicago Teaching Fellows program offers you the opportunity to immediately impact the academic achievement of your students and to influence their lives beyond the classroom. We know that teacher quality is one of most significant contributors to student success. As a Fellow, you will be able to ensure that your students receive an excellent education that prepares them for success in school and in life.

Fellows participate in an intensive pre-service training program designed to prepare them to teach in high-needs schools and join a network of talented and successful professionals who are similarly committed to transforming public education in Chicago. In addition, you will be able to earn an Illinois teaching certificate while working and earning a full-time teacher’s salary.

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What is a typical class size?
In Chicago Public Schools, a typical class size ranges from 25 to 30 students. This class size can vary depending on the school, neighborhood, and recent changes in school enrollment. Special education classes can range from 8 to 20 students so that teachers can meet the more specialized individual needs of their students (For more information on being a special education teacher, please visit our Teaching Special Education page).
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What does a typical day look like?
Although the start and end times of schools vary across the district, most school days are six to seven hours long. Almost all successful new teachers discover that additional time outside of the classroom is required to be effective and to make a significant impact on student achievement. This time outside of the regular school day can include lesson planning, grading papers, communicating with parents/guardians, coaching a sport, or working at an after-school program. Many schools also conduct after-school faculty meetings on a regular basis. Beyond their school day commitments, Fellows can also expect to attend education courses one to two nights a week through the university partner certification program they attend.

The first year can be extremely challenging for most new teachers. Fellows should expect an intense effort – especially at the beginning of the year.
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How is Chicago Public Schools structured?
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is the third largest public school system in the United States, serving approximately 400,000 children in more than 620 schools. Schools are grouped into area clusters and are overseen by Chief Executive Officer Arne Duncan and the Office of Mayor Richard M. Daley.

How safe are the schools?
Safety is a high priority in Chicago Public Schools. CPS has a strong plan in place to deal with school violence and provide teachers with outlets to report safety issues at their schools. We encourage 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. For each negative story portrayed in the media regarding Chicago's schools, there are several positive examples of strong achievements by our Fellows, including achieving significant academic gains with their students, assuming leadership responsibilities at their schools, and creating their own after-school clubs and programs.
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How long is my time commitment to the Chicago Teaching Fellows?
We hope that Fellows enter this program as the start of a lifelong career in education. The Fellows program is designed to include intensive training for individuals to teach in high-need schools while earning a full-time teaching salary and certification is typically earned in one calendar year.

Fellows pay for tuition through CPS interest-free payroll deductions over a period of four years. If a Fellow chooses to leave CPS before teaching in the district for four years (including the year of certification), that individual will be responsible for repaying the remainder of her or his unpaid tuition and could be charged a penalty fee of $1,500. As long as Fellows continue to teach in the district, they are always eligible to engage in professional development activities and networking opportunities facilitated by our program staff.

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Qualifications and Eligibility

What kind of background do I need?
The Chicago Teaching Fellows program is designed for mid-career professionals and recent college graduates from all fields who demonstrate leadership, achievement, and a commitment to urban education. Previous coursework or experience in education is not necessary. We are currently looking for individuals to teach math, science, Spanish, Chinese, and special education.

Candidates must have a bachelor's degree with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or exceptional achievement previously demonstrated to apply. Official transcripts are required for entrance into the program.
Candidates must be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents.
Fellows are required to pass the Illinois Certification Testing System (ICTS) Basic Skills test and all required content area tests prior to starting the program. Even interested candidates who have not yet taken these tests are encouraged to apply.
You must meet subject area eligibility requirements.

Please visit the Eligibility page of our website for more information.

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Are certified teachers eligible for the program?
No; certified teachers are not eligible for the program. Chicago Teaching Fellows is an alternative route to teaching program designed for individuals newly entering the teaching profession. If you are certified to teach in any state or are currently enrolled in a teacher certification program, you are not eligible to apply. Certified teachers who are interested in teaching in Chicago should contact the CPS Department of Human Resources.

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Am I eligible if I have no prior teaching experience or coursework in education?
Yes. The Chicago Teaching Fellows program is an alternate route certification program specifically designed to attract outstanding, high-achieving applicants from non-education backgrounds into the teaching profession. Individuals without prior teaching experience or coursework in education are eligible for the program and strongly encouraged to apply.
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Do I need to be a resident of the city of Chicago to apply?
No; the Chicago Public Schools residency requirement does not apply to teachers who are enrolled in alternative certification programs or to teachers in high-need subject areas, which include math, science, Spanish, Chinese, and special education.

What if I don't have a 3.0 undergraduate GPA?
Because we are looking for the most outstanding candidates to fill critical need teaching positions, we are looking for people with exemplary academic and professional experience. We will consider the applications of candidates who have a GPA of at least 2.75, if those candidates are able to demonstrate exceptional achievement in other areas.
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If I've already completed all of my education coursework and only need to complete student teaching or pass the ICTS exams, am I still eligible?
No. The Chicago Teaching Fellows program is specifically designed to recruit new teachers into Chicago Public Schools and is not for individuals who have completed more than 5 certification courses. Individuals who are nearly certified should visit the CPS Department of Human Resources website to learn about teaching positions within Chicago Public Schools.

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Application Process

We are no longer accepting new applications for the 2009/2010 school year.

How do I apply?
Applying is easy with our online application. You can complete your application form and submit your resume and application questions electronically by creating a personal account through the My CTF section of our website here. For detailed information regarding our program's application process, please click here.

What should I include in my response to the Application Questions?
We ask applicants to thoroughly address each of the following three Application Questions:

Nearly all Fellows are placed in 'high-need' schools that are located in low-income communities. Why do you want to teach in a high-need school?
The most important responsibility of a teacher is to ensure high academic achievement for all students. Explain how a skill or ability that you possess will help you ensure high academic achievement for all students and provide an example of how you have effectively demonstrated this skill or ability in the past.
Teaching Fellows will face new and significant challenges during their first year of teaching. Briefly describe a professional, personal or academic challenge you have overcome. What steps did you take to address the challenge, and how will that experience contribute to your success as a Teaching Fellow?

We urge candidates to put a good deal of time and effort in to crafting their responses to the Application Questions, as this document (along with the resume) carries a lot of weight and plays a prominent role in our decision to invite candidates to our interview events. Also, this document offers us a strong sense of your reasons and motivation to apply for the program.

Chicago Teaching Fellows will not consider generic cover letters in the place of responses to the Application Questions.
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Do I need to send transcripts with my application?
No. Please do not send us transcripts at the time of your initial application to the program. If selected for an interview, candidates will be required to bring one official transcript from every college or university attended as part of their interview materials.

What happens after I apply?
Once candidates apply, all complete applications will go through an initial review. All candidates will receive notification within approximately two weeks of applying to the program. Outstanding candidates will be invited to participate in an interview day, which includes both group and individual activities.

What happens during an interview event?
Candidates will be placed into small groups of up to ten individuals along with two Chicago Teaching Fellows interviewers. Each candidate will be asked to present a 5-minute sample teaching lesson, participate in a group discussion, write about a realistic educational scenario, and engage in a one-on-one interview. More information about the interview event and preparation will be provided to qualified candidates that receive an invitation to interview.

Where and when do interviews take place?
Interviews take place at various locations in the City of Chicago and are day-long events that last from approximately 8:45 am until 3:00 pm. Since our applicants are typically either attending school full-time or working at another job, the majority of our interview days take place on Saturdays. However, at least one Sunday interview day will be offered as well. In order to maintain the integrity and rigor of our interview day model, we are unable to accommodate the interview requests of individuals that cannot attend one of our scheduled interview events.

How can I get more information beyond what is offered here on the website?
We regularly hold information sessions for anyone interested in learning more about the program. Although much of the information covered during these events is included throughout our website, information sessions do offer the opportunity to learn about the program from a more personalized perspective and ask questions of program staff members. For more details on these events or to view our online info session, please visit the Learn More section of our website.

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Certification and Testing

Will I receive certification?
Yes. Upon entering the program, you will teach on a Provisional Alternative Certificate. The Provisional Alternative Certificate was created by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) to allow outstanding individuals with no previous education coursework the opportunity to teach while taking coursework to meet the requirements of the Initial Certificate. After completing the certification program, you will receive the Initial Alternative Certificate.

For more information regarding certification, please click here.

Will I be responsible for the cost of tuition?

Fellows will be responsible for the cost of tuition, sometimes at a significantly reduced rate. To further offset the cost of tuition, Fellows will pay for tuition through CPS interest-free payroll deductions over a period of four years. In addition, Fellows will be eligible to apply for federal Stafford and Perkins loans which may be forgiven after a participant has taught for a period of time in a high need school. Please contact your loan provider for more information regarding loan forgiveness.

The Chicago Teaching Fellows program partners with both public and private universities, therefore exact tuition costs can vary greatly. Tuition can range between $6,000 and $15,000 and is based on the subject area of certification. Because university partnerships for the 2009 program have not yet been finalized, these numbers are subject to change.

How do I know which university partner I will attend?
The Chicago Teaching Fellows program partners with several credentialing institutions which offer a streamlined admissions process to Fellows and a commitment to aligning with the timeframe and needs of the Fellows program. Fellows will be assigned to a university partner based on their final subject area assignment. In some cases, Fellows will be able to choose among two or more universities that partner with the Fellows program. More information regarding the specific details of the certification program and admissions procedures will be provided upon acceptance into the Chicago Teaching Fellows program.

Will I receive a Master's degree?
Through each certification program, Fellows may choose to continue taking coursework beyond what is required for certification to earn a Master’s degree. The Master’s degree generally involves one additional year of part-time coursework, beyond the requirements of the certification program. Fellows who choose to pursue a Master’s degree will be independently responsible for additional tuition costs.

Are there any required exams I should take?
All Fellows must pass the Illinois Certification Testing System (ICTS) Basic Skills test and all required content area tests. We strongly encourage candidates to register for the Basic Skills test as soon as possible. If invited to an interview, the Fellows office will assign candidates to a subject area and advise candidates on the content area test that should be taken.

For more information about CTF testing requirements please click here. For more information about the ICTS exams please visit www.icts.nesinc.com.

When should I register for and take the ICTS examinations?
Although applicants do not have to take the tests prior to applying to the Chicago Teaching Fellows, we recommend registering for the tests through ICTS as soon as possible. ICTS testing is an important step in the process of transitioning to the teaching profession, and it will be to your advantage to complete these exams sooner rather than later. We recommend that candidates register for the Basic Skills test as soon as possible. Please visit the Testing Requirements page of our website for important information regarding testing deadlines.

Which Institution Code should I enter when registering for the ICTS examinations?

You do not need to enter any institution code. If accepted to the Chicago Teaching Fellows program, you will simply need to submit a copy of the score report that you receive from ICTS.

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Admission and Enrollment

Can I defer acceptance into the program?
No; due to the large numbers of candidates hoping to receive a teaching position it is not possible to defer acceptance into the program.
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I meet all of the program's eligibility requirements. Why wasn't I accepted?
The Chicago Teaching Fellows programis a highly selective program. Typically, about one in every twelve initial applicants is eventually selected for 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. Although ensuring candidates meet our program's eligibility requirements is an important step in our initial review of applications, our selection process is ultimately driven by our desire to identify individuals with strong track records of achievement in their previous endeavors that demonstrate a steadfast commitment towards improving the achievement of students in Chicago's high-need schools.

I wasn't accepted. Can I appeal the decision?
No. All applications are thoroughly reviewed during our rigorous selection process, and admissions decisions are final. Because we receive an exceptional number of applications each year, we are unable to re-evaluate individual decisions or provide personalized feedback to applicants who have not been accepted to the program. Due to the high amount of interest in our program and the limited number of positions available, we still encourage individuals that are not accepted to the Chicago Teaching Fellows to pursue teaching through other avenues.

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 re-apply is no different than for applicants applying for the first time. Because the needs of Chicago Public Schools are constantly changing, even those applicants who were admitted to the program in a previous year and declined our offer of admission or withdrew their application must re-apply to be re-considered.

When does the program actually begin?
Fellows will begin university coursework and the Institute in June. For more information on the Institute please visit our Training and Resources page.

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Your Teacher Job

Where will I teach?
Fellows will teach in high-need schools throughout the city, where the need for highly qualified teachers is most critical.
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What will I be teaching?
Candidates for the Chicago Teaching Fellows are accepted to teach specific subjects. The subject that you are accepted to teach is based on the staffing needs of the city's schools, your eligibility, and your subject area preferences. Your eligibility is determined according to stringent Illinois State Board of Education requirements. For more information regarding eligibility requirements, please click here. Fellows are needed to teach in subjects where Chicago Public Schools students are currently most in need of strong teachers - math, science, Spanish, Chinese, and special education.

For further information on teaching math and science, please click here. For further information on special education, please click here.

How do I know what subject area I am qualified to teach?
All candidates invited to attend an interview after submitting their application will receive a tentative subject area assignment based on the information they initially provided. Once our program staff reviews candidate transcripts after interview days, candidates accepted to the program will receive a final subject area assignment based on qualifications, personal preferences, and the district's needs. Please note that all testing and/or previous coursework requirements must be met for each subject area. More information regarding these requirements can be found on the Eligibility page.

Can I choose where I will teach?
CPS is a principal driven district, meaning that all school hiring is done by principals or other school-based administrators. This unique structure means that the Chicago Teaching Fellows program does not place Fellows at any school; all Fellows must interview for available positions with school administrators, giving Fellows a degree of choice regarding where they will teach. Fellows must, however, be flexible regarding where they will teach and be prepared to teach in the schools where they are needed most.

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Training and Resources

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

As a Chicago Teaching Fellow, you will be required to attend an intensive training Institute that will last approximately 6-7 weeks. The training Institute will include: a summer school teaching assignment/observation opportunity with on-site guidance from a cooperating teacher in Chicago Public Schools; professional development seminars with experienced teachers on learning standards, foundations of teaching, classroom management, and other skills necessary to become an effective teacher in a high-need school; discussion and activities about the challenges and benefits of teaching in a diverse, urban educational setting; university certification coursework; and an opportunity to network with Fellows who have made the same commitment to improve the quality of education for Chicago's students. For more information on the Institute, please click here.

How intensive is the training Institute?

Candidates should be aware that the training Institute schedule will be rigorous with many long days. You can expect a 40-50 hour week among practice teaching, curriculum Framework Sessions, and university coursework. We try to compress as much hands-on experience and concrete skills and strategies that we can into a brief 6-7 week period so that Fellows have what they need to be effective in their classrooms immediately.

Will I be paid for training?

No. Fellows should prepare themselves financially for this transition.

What ongoing resources and connections are available for Fellows once they are in the classroom?

Fellows develop their most basic ongoing support network at the school level. Although every situation is different, Fellows may collaborate with colleagues at their school, district instructional specialists, assistant principals, principals or a grade level or academic department team. The training Institute facilitates connections among Fellows who teach in the same subject area that carry through as a strong peer support network once they are in their own classrooms.

The Chicago Teaching Fellows program office also coordinates access to professional development and social network opportunities throughout the year and the publication of a regular newsletter. Teaching Fellows can draw on these resources for planning, reflection, and shared encouragement as they strive for excellence in their individual classrooms.

In addition, all new teachers in Chicago Public Schools are assigned a school-based mentor associated with the GOLDEN mentoring and induction program. Fellows will also receive enhanced support through various non-profit partners and the CPS Professional Development Unit.

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Compensation and Benefits

How much will I be paid?
Fellows will be full-time employees of Chicago Public Schools and will receive the same salary as other first year teachers, which is approximately $43,000. Fellows with a master's degree may earn approximately $2,500 more. In addition to this salary is a 7% employer pension contribution. As employees of Chicago Public Schools, Fellows are eligible for the same comprehensive benefits as all other district teachers. Please click on these links for more information on CPS salary and benefits.

Is there a cost to participate in this program?

Fellows will pay a nominal administrative fee to participate in the program. Over a period of four years, Fellows will pay a total of $150 through CPS payroll deductions, amounting to slightly less than $1.50 per paycheck. Also, please note that Fellows who decide to leave the district before completing four years of teaching may be charged a penalty fee of $1,500.

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