Frequently Asked Questions

Select from the list below by clicking on a question.

• How do I apply to the Teach Greater New Orleans program?
• When is the application deadline?
  
• Am I eligible if I have no background in education?
  
• How long is the commitment?
  
• What qualities are you seeking in members for Teach Greater New Orleans?
  
• What happens after I apply?
• I am a certified teacher, can I apply to Teach Greater New Orleans?
  
• I am currently teaching, but not certified. Can I apply to TGNO?
  
• How much will it cost?
  
• I would like to teach, but I am not ready to assume a full-time position and fulfill the certification requirements at the same time. What can I do?
  
• I would like to teach elementary. Can I do that as a TGNO practitioner?
  
• How do I know what area of certification to pursue?
  
• Where will I teach? Can I pick the school?
  
• What are "middle grades"?
  
• What happens when I become a Teach Greater New Orleans program member?
  
• Will I be the only Teach Greater New Orleans teacher at my school?
  
• How much will I be paid?

How do I apply to the Teach Greater New Orleans program?

Complete the application online. Be sure to submit a resume that includes work experience, leadership roles, organization affiliations, past education/training including all GPAs along with a letter of intent (500-1000 words) that addresses the following question:

Why do you want to teach in Teach Greater New Orleans? How have your previous experiences prepared you to succeed in a classroom in a high-needs school?

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When is the application deadline?

Our online application is available form October 1-March 31.

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Yes. Candidates without an education background are eligible for the program and are encouraged to apply. This program is specifically designed for individuals without an education background. It is a highly selective program that is bringing outstanding professionals and recent college graduates who demonstrate leadership and achievement to our area classrooms.

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We hope this is a lifetime commitment. Specifically, this program is a 3 semester practitioner program that includes a regular teaching salary, intensive training, and on-going support. Recipients of scholarships commit to teaching for at least three years.

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Teach Greater New Orleans is seeking our communityâs most talented professionals and leaders that are dedicated to improving our public schools. We are in search of outstanding candidates from all academic majors and backgrounds. There is a particular need for people of color and individuals with math, science, and special education backgrounds.

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Outstanding candidates will be invited to participate in a TGNO Interview Day which includes a sample teaching lesson, group discussion of relevant issues in education, a writing sample, and an individual interview.

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No, you may not apply to Teach Greater New Orleans. However, the University of New Orleans offers an alternate certification route for add-on certification and post-baccalaureate certification The University of New Orleans also offers various master's programs Please visit http://www.ed.uno.edu/ for more information.  

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Yes. If you are not certified you can apply to the program. Please note, however, that you may be placed in a different school in order to meet district needs. While we will work to keep you at your current school, please be prepared to move to a new school if the district deems it necessary. In the past, we have been able to keep the majority of current teachers at their schools.

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A limited number of full scholarships are available to outstanding applicants. These Transition to Teaching scholarships cover tuition and books for scholarship recipients teaching in public schools in Orleans, Jefferson and Plaquemines Parishes. Those receiving the Transition to Teaching scholarships commit to teaching for three years in order to be eligible for financial compensation.

The cost for TGNO the fast track teacher certification program is the current university cost for 21 graduate hours plus applicable fees and textbooks at the University of New Orleans. Teach Greater New Orleans Cohort Members do not have to pay out of state tuition and fees. Scholarships are available for outstanding candidates who agree to teach for three years in a high needs school in a high needs district.

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Although the Teach Greater New Orleans program is not right for you, the University of New Orleans offers a post-baccalaureate alternate certification program. The candidate is not required to be employed while taking program coursework. Click here for more information on the University of New Orleans Post-Baccalaureate Alternate Certification Program.

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At this time TGNO does not offer elementary as an area of certification. You may consider pursuing the middle grades certification as an alternative. If you are interested in pursuing Pre-K-3 or 1-5 certification, the UNO Alternate Certification program is a route for you.

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TGNO offers certification in Secondary Math, Secondary Science (Chemistry, Biology, Earth Science), Special Education (Mild/Moderate), and Middle Grades Math and Science. The original idea behind practitioner programs is that someone who has mastery of a content area can be trained to be an effective teacher. With that in mind, our practitioners have pursued certification in areas which they excel. The Praxis II content area exam serves as the measure of your knowledge in an area. The highest needs are special education, math, and science.

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TGNO members will be placed primarily in the public schools in Orleans and Jefferson and Plaquemines parishes. Location, grade, and subject determinations will be based on the qualifications of each TGNO teacher and the needs of the districts. The majority of teachers in the 2006 and 2007 Cohorts will be placed in schools in the Recovery District in Orleans Parish.  Ultimately, securing a placement is your responsibility. We will help facilitate the process for you, but you are welcome to contact principals on your own to set up interviews as well as pursue other opportunities to aid in your hiring by a high-needs school in a partner district. Due to district requirements and timelines, some TGNO teachers are placed in schools through the human resources department of the district with the assistance of TGNO staff, not through interviews. Your preferences will be taken into account, but you will be placed primarily according to need.

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By pursuing certification in the "middle grades" you will be teaching math or science at any grade level between 6-8 grades or 4-8 if the school departmentalizes their subjects.

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You will participate in an intensive summer training in June and July at the University of New Orleans where you will attend classes all day Monday-Thursday to prepare you to enter a classroom in the fall. Following the training you will prepare to assume responsibility for your class, which includes meeting with your principal and getting your classroom ready for students. In the fall and spring semesters you will participate in class 1 night a week and regularly scheduled cohort meetings.

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We will work to ensure that TGNO members are clustered with other members at their school. However, you will not know your specific school placement before you commit to the program.

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Teach Greater New Orleans practitioner teachers are paid regular full-time teacher salary. The salary range for first year teachers is $31,000-38,000 depending on educational experience and employing parish pay scales. You will also receive full benefits as outlined by your employing district, including health insurance and retirement benefits.