Apply

We will begin accepting applications for our 2009 cohort on October 27, 2008. Please apply then. We encourage applicants to apply early as we accept on a rolling basis.

Candidates to the Saint Paul Teaching Fellows program benefit from a streamlined, seven-step application and selection process and, if selected, will have the opportunity to participate in an intensive Training Institute designed to prepare Fellows to enter their classrooms as full-time teachers in fall 2008.

STEP 1: READ THIS WEBSITE
Before you do anything else, we encourage you to read through the material on this website carefully. It covers everything from the types of classrooms in which Fellows will teach  to specific testing dates for required teaching exams.  Familiarize yourself with the details of the program.  If you want more information, you may attend an information session.

STEP 2: CHECK YOUR ELIGIBILITY
Please be sure to thoroughly read the section on Eligibility as this is a critical piece of the application process. Only applications of eligible candidates will be reviewed. If you still have questions about your specific situation, please email us at info@saintpaulteachingfellows.org. Saint Paul Teaching Fellows is working with the Minnesota Department of Education to define our eligibility requirements. All of the requirements listed are tentative. We will update this website and contact those who apply if the eligibility requirements change.

STEP 3:  APPLY
Applying is easy with our online application. The online application form, itself, as well as the resume and application question responses, can be submitted electronically. . We offer two application deadlines for the Teaching Fellows program. Because of the competitive nature of Saint Paul Teaching Fellows and the limited number of spaces, we recommend that candidates apply early.

• Responses to Three Application Questions
• Resume
• Online Application Form 

It is possible to begin an online application, save your work, and return at a later time to complete and submit your materials.

Application Questions
You will be asked to respond to three specific application questions. Candidates should address these three questions in 200 - 400 words each.

• 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. Describe a skill or ability that will help you fulfill this responsibility 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. Describe a professional, personal or academic challenge you have overcome, and how that experience will contribute to your success as a Teaching Fellow.

Responses to these application questions provide information not captured elsewhere in the application. Responses are used to evaluate a candidate’s writing and critical thinking skills, and more importantly, to gain a sense of commitment to teaching students in Saint Paul’s high-need classrooms. This should not be a generic personal statement or cover letter, but should offer insight on why an individual is applying to teach and what (s)he has to offer. Generic cover letters will not be accepted.

Candidates should complete these three application questions in a separate word document (Word 2006 or earlier version) and upload it when completing the online application.

Please note: Only documents saved in Word 2006 or earlier version (.doc), or Adobe (.pdf), can be accepted. We cannot accept documents in Microsoft Word 2007, Microsoft Works, Word Perfect 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 ideally should 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. 

Please note: Only documents saved in Word 2006 or earlier version (.doc), or Adobe (.pdf), can be accepted. We cannot accept documents in Microsoft Word 2007, Microsoft Works, Word Perfect etc.

Application
The completed online application form requires your undergraduate GPA, as well as information about undergraduate coursework.  If you are granted an interview, it is based on material you provide in this application. Therefore, it is extremely important that all information is correct; all grades and coursework will be verified upon receipt of your transcripts at the interview event.

Individuals must possess an average undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or higher. Candidates will have the opportunity to address any issues relevant to their academic performance by including a brief statement in the online application. For your reference, the prompt on the application reads as follows:

Please enter a statement addressing any issues that may be relevant to your academic performance (300 words max).

STEP 4: REGISTER FOR AND STUDY FOR THE PRAXIS I, PRAXIS II SUBJECT ASSESSMENT AND PRAXIS II: PRINCIPLES OF LEARNING AND TEACHING EXAMS
Fellows must register for, study for, and pass the Praxis I (all three sections), Praxis II: Subject Assessment, and Praxis II: Principles of Learning and Teaching exams before enrollment in the program can be finalized. We strongly encourage candidates to register as soon as possible for all three sections (reading, writing, math) of the computer-based Praxis I. Candidates invited to interview with the Teaching Fellows program will receive individualized guidance on the appropriate Praxis II Subject Assessment and Praxis II: Principles of Learning and Teaching exam with their invitation to interview, and are urged to register at that time for their Praxis II exams. It is imperative that all candidates STUDY thoroughly for these exams. The Praxis exams often prove difficult even for individuals with deep content knowledge or relevant professional experience. Review the Testing Requirements section of this website for more information.

STEP 5:  REQUEST TRANSCRIPTS
If you are invited to interview, you will be required to submit at least one copy of the transcripts from each institution you attended; these transcripts may be unofficial or official.  However, if you are accepted into the program, you must submit official (sealed) copies of transcripts from each institution you attended, which must be filed with the Fellows office before training begins. Your admission is contingent upon receipt of official transcripts. Because it often takes universities several weeks to process requests for official transcripts, we recommend that you request at least three copies of these transcripts now.  We strongly encourage applicants to bring official transcripts to the interview event. Please note that we cannot return transcripts after they have been submitted, even if you are not admitted to the program. If you are admitted, you will need additional transcripts to submit for district processing and to gain admission to your licensure program.

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

STEP 6:  INTERVIEW (if invited)
Applicants who meet all eligibility requirements and demonstrate potential will be invited to participate in one of our interview events. Applicants will be notified as to whether they have been invited to interview within approximately two weeks of submitting a complete application. All candidates should be prepared to interview in Saint Paul. The interview event will include a teaching sample, a dialogue with other candidates, and a personal interview. Please note that not all applicants will be invited to interview.

STEP 7: WAIT FOR A DECISION
After the interview, interviewees will be notified of their application status within approximately two weeks of the interview event. Based on the strengths of the submitted application materials and successful participation in an Interview Event, Saint Paul Public Schools will decide whether or not a candidate is accepted as a Saint Paul Teaching Fellow. At this time, selected candidates will be given an enrollment package with additional information on the program and a deadline by which to enroll in the Teaching Fellows program.

Due to the competitive nature of our program and limited space, we strongly encourage you to apply early.  We also strongly recommend that candidates review the teaching exam requirements.

This is your chance to be more than just a role model in our community. This is your chance to leverage your experience, knowledge, and record of achievement to increase the level of student achievement in Saint Paul. We are looking for outstanding candidates to teach math, science, and special education. Open a world of opportunities for the children of Saint Paul by helping them meet their academic potential. Click here to access the online application to apply today.