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

Application Process

We are accepting applications for the 2010/2011 school year. Our next deadline is March 1, 2010. We encourage you to apply early as we are rolling admissions.

Please make sure that you carefully review the steps below prior to starting and completing a Chicago Teaching Fellows application.

STEP 1: READ THIS WEBSITE
This website provides a detailed description of the program and may answer many of your questions about applying. Please note the testing and transcript requirements before applying.

For more information, we encourage you to attend one of our regularly scheduled information sessions.

STEP 2: CHECK YOUR ELIGIBILITY
Please be sure to thoroughly read the section on Eligibility for the Chicago Teaching Fellows program. This is a critical piece of the application process. Only the applications of eligible candidates will be reviewed. If you still have questions about your specific situation, please e-mail us at info@chicagoteachingfellows.org.

STEP 3: APPLY
Applying is easy with our online application. The online application form – as well as your resume and response to the Application Questions – must be submitted electronically.

A complete application includes the following:

· Responses to the Application Questions
· Resume
· Online Application Form

Please note that all applications, including the resume and response to Application Questions, must be submitted online. Chicago Teaching Fellows is not able to accept paper applications.

Application Questions
Candidates are required to submit responses to three Application Questions as part of the application. Candidates should address these three short answer questions in 200-400 words each.

1. Nearly all Fellows are hired to teach in 'high-need' schools that are located in low-income communities. Why do you want to teach in a high-need school, and what experiences have prepared you for the challenges of teaching in a high-need school?

2. 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.

3. Briefly describe a time when you achieved a goal in the face of challenges or while balancing multiple responsibilities. What steps did you take to ensure you would meet your goal, and how will that experience contribute to your ability to be successful with your students?

Your responses to the Application Questions provide us with information not captured elsewhere in the application. We use your responses to evaluate your writing and critical thinking skills, and more importantly, to gain a sense of your commitment to teaching students in Chicago Public Schools.

Please note that only responses to the Applications Questions will be considered (i.e. generic personal statements will not be considered).

Candidates should answer the Application Questions in a separate word processing document and upload it when completing the online application form. Please note: All documents (resume & application questions) must be saved in Microsoft Word or PDF format. We cannot accept documents in Word Perfect, Microsoft Works, etc.

Resume
The resume should clearly outline a candidate’s work history in chronological order, including dates of employment and descriptions of responsibilities and accomplishments. In addition to providing employment information, the resume is the best way for candidates to highlight previous achievements – both academic and professional – along with any community involvement or volunteer experience. The resume should also highlight any teaching experience or student-related activities and should, ideally, be no more than one page in length.

The resume document should be created prior to applying online and uploaded when completing the online application form.

Please note: All documents (resume & application questions) must be saved in Microsoft Word or PDF format. We cannot accept documents in Word Perfect, Microsoft Works, etc.

Online Application Form
The completed online application form requires the candidate’s undergraduate GPA, as well as information about undergraduate coursework. The offer of an interview will be based on the material that the candidate provides in this application. Therefore, it is extremely important that all information is correct; all grades and coursework will be verified upon receipt of candidate transcripts on interview day.

It is possible for the candidate to begin an online application, save the initial information entered, and return at a later time to complete and submit full materials.

Substitute Teacher Statement
Candidates who are currently Chicago Public Schools Substitute teachers are also required to submit an additional document that specifically addresses their work as a substitute and interest in becoming a certified teacher. Candidates should address this additional short answer question in 200-400 words.

Why have you decided, at this point in your substitute career, to pursue teacher certification?

Your responses to the Substitute Teacher question provide us with information not captured elsewhere in the application. We use your response to gain a sense of your commitment to teaching students in Chicago Public Schools. Please note that this statement will not be submitted with the initial application. Only candidates who are granted an interview will be asked to submit this additional statement later in the process.

STEP 4: REQUEST TRANSCRIPTS
If you are invited to interview, you will be REQUIRED to submit one official transcript from EACH college/university attended, including official foreign transcript evaluations (if applicable). However, if you are accepted into the program, you MUST submit four additional copies of transcripts to the Chicago Teaching Fellows program.

Because it often takes universities several weeks to process requests for official transcripts, we recommend that you request these transcripts now. Please note that we cannot return transcripts after they have been submitted – even if you are not admitted to the program. Please note: all transcripts submitted must be official, sealed, and unopened. We are not able to accept transcripts that are unofficial, unsealed, and/or opened.

If you attended a foreign college or university, please review the Eligibility section for detailed information specific to candidates with foreign transcripts.

STEP 5: INTERVIEW (If invited)
Every application is reviewed for completeness, eligibility, and potential for success as a Fellow. You will receive notification of your application status within two weeks of our receipt of your complete application. Some candidates may be placed on a waitlist due to our high volume of candidates. Please note that not all candidates will be invited to interview.

Outstanding candidates will be invited to participate in one of the Chicago Teaching Fellows Interview Events. If invited to an interview, you will be provided with additional information on which subject area you are eligible to teach, given your academic background and interests.

The interview event will include a teaching sample in a subject chosen by the candidate, a written response to a classroom scenario, a dialogue with other candidates about an issue in education, and a personal interview.

Due to the competitive nature of our program and limited space, we encourage all candidates to apply early. Candidates who receive offers may not defer acceptance into the program.