Teaching in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

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• What is a typical class size?

  Typical elementary school classes range from 20 to 35 students; middle and high school classes generally range from 20 to 40 students. However, exact class enrollment will vary from school to school. 

• What does a typical day look like?

  School days typically last seven hours. As an example, schedules can run from 7:15 a.m. to 2:15 p.m., 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., or 9:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.; however, class schedules and sizes may vary from school to school. Teachers also spend time outside of the classroom preparing lessons and grading schoolwork. TEACH Charlotte participants will attend professional development sessions or faculty meetings after school hours, in addition to licensure coursework. A teacher's first year is incredibly intense, regardless of his or her background or preparation. Participants should be prepared to work long hours.

• Once I am a full-time teacher, will I teach over the summer?

  As a TEACH Charlotte participant, you will complete an intensive pre-service training program before entering your classrooms for the first time. Review the Training section for more details.

   Once you are a full-time teacher, however, you will not be required to teach over the summer. Many teachers elect to teach summer school, although the number of positions is limited. Summer school teachers will receive additional income.  

  
  
  

  
  

• How is CMS structured?

  Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools encompasses all of the public K-12 schools in the county, as well as certain programs for older and younger individuals. Our public schools educate a diverse population of more than 141,000 students each year, in 159 schools located throughout the county. For more information, review the Teaching in Charlotte page of this website.

  
  

• Where will I teach?

  TEACH Charlotte teachers work in the highest-need classrooms in Charlotte. These classrooms are often under-resourced, comprised of students who may not be achieving to their fullest potential, and are in the greatest need of effective teachers. Ultimately, participants work where they are needed most within the county, regardless of neighborhood. For more information, review Securing Your Teaching Position.
  
  

• How safe are the schools?

  We believe our schools are safe. We encourage concerned 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. Click here to learn more about the Safety Department of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. 
  
  

• What does it really mean to teach exceptional children, or special education?

  Special education is designed around the concept of individualized curriculum to provide greater support for certain students. One of the most exciting aspects of a position in special education is the opportunity to be both advocate and teacher. While teachers are first and foremost responsible for academic goals, they also work to develop a positive school environment for students with special needs.

  The best way to get a sense of what it means to teach in a special education class is to talk to a teacher or visit a classroom. Applicants should also familiarize themselves with the information available in the Special Education section of our website, and with the Programs for Exceptional Children. Participants who teach special education will work with students who have mild-to-moderate disabilities, the most common of which is the specific learning disability (SLD). More information about and training on supporting students with special needs will be available during the pre-service training and through TNTP Academy. 
  
  

  
  

• How long is the commitment?

  We hope that TEACH Charlotte teachers will commit to a lifetime career in education. The ambitious goal of TEACH Charlotte is to build a cadre of Charlotte teachers who are passionate about educational equity and who are ready to work actively to achieve results in Charlotte classrooms on a daily basis, alongside other CMS teachers with the same focus. The events and information coordinated by the TEACH Charlotte office is associated with teachers in their first and second year.
  
  

Licensure

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• What does lateral entry licensure mean?

  Lateral entry licensure is North Carolina's alternative route to teacher certification. As a lateral entry program, TEACH Charlotte accelerates the process of bringing new teachers to the classrooms that need them the most. Rather than completing a traditional teacher education program prior to entering the classroom, participants engage in a short but intensive summer training program and complete further academic requirements while they teach full time, earning a full salary and benefits. Review the Licensure page of this website for more information. 
  
  

• Will I receive a state license?

  Yes, if TEACH Charlotte participants complete all TNTP Academy (a North Carolina state-approved licensure program) and other program requirements, they will be recommended for licensure in North Carolina at the end of their first or second year in the classroom. Typically, state licenses take several months to process and be available until the following fall.

  For more information, click Licensure.

• What exams will I need to take?

  Before they can begin teaching, all candidates will need to meet specific coursework requirements or pass the Praxis II subject assessment(s) required for their subject area. Candidates are responsible for all costs associated with taking these required exams. Click here to carefully review the dates and schedules provided on this website and in related links. Candidates who do not pass required tests by the beginning of  Pre-Service Training will not be permitted to continue in the program. More information about these requirements will be provided to all applicants who are invited to interview. 
  
  

• Can I receive a waiver or exemption from any of the exams?

  Unless participants have a degree or at least 24 credit hours in their content area, they MUST take and pass the required Praxis II exam(s) before beginning training. Please note, however, that teachers may be required to take additional Praxis II subject assessment(s) within the first three (3) years of teaching in order to earn a Standard Professional 1 Professional Educator's License. Please refer to the Testing Requirements page for additional details.

• How much will becoming a licensed teacher cost?

  Program participants will be responsible for the tuition of the TNTP Academy, which is about $5,000. They will also be responsible for other costs associated with the program, such as Praxis II exam costs and a licensure application fee to North Carolina. To help offset these costs, TEACH Charlotte participants will be able to pay their TNTP Academy tuition in monthly, manageable installments.  Participants will also receive a signing bonus once they successfully begin their full-time teaching position, as well as a full salary and benefits. Even with this, TEACH Charlotte recommends participants plan financially for their transition into their new career. 
  
  

Qualifications

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• What type of person is a good candidate for TEACH Charlotte?

  There is no one profile for an ideal TEACH Charlotte candidate; our teachers come from a wide range of backgrounds and bring to the program a diverse set of talents and skills. Strong candidates are those who are committed to having a positive effect on student achievement, who display excellence in their previous endeavors, and who are dedicated to reaching and influencing students—especially those in under-resourced areas—on a daily basis. Click here for more information. 
  
  

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

  Yes! Individuals without prior teaching experience or coursework in education are eligible for the program and are encouraged to apply. TEACH Charlotte is specifically designed to attract high-quality applicants from diverse backgrounds into the teaching profession. Click Eligibility for more information. 
  
  

• Are individuals who have substituted in CMS eligible for the program?

  Individuals who hold or have worked under an occasional per diem (day-to-day substitute) license are eligible to apply. However, anyone who has worked as a full-time teacher in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools at any time is not eligible for this program. For more details, visit the Eligibility section of our website. 
  
  

• Why aren't licensed teachers eligible to apply, and what should they do to start teaching in Charlotte?

  The TNTP Academy research-based curriculum, Teaching for Results (TfR), is specifically designed to provide the skills and strategies necessary for teachers with little or no background in education to raise student achievement in high-need classrooms. There are other paths to employment in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools for licensed teachers and individuals who have already completed teacher education programs. For more information on employment in Charlotte for licensed teachers, visit the CMS employment website. 

• What if I don't have a 3.0 GPA?

  Individuals must have earned a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.50 or higher from an accredited college or university to be eligible to apply to this program. By cumulative GPA, we mean the GPA at the end of the transcript from your undergraduate degree-granting institution that includes both institution GPA AND transfer credit. 

  Individuals with an undergraduate GPA lower than 2.50 are not eligible to apply, and TEACH Charlotte cannot make exceptions to this requirement.

  Please review the Eligibility section for more inSave changesformation on our eligibility requirements before applying. 

Application Process

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• How do I apply to become a TEACH Charlotte teacher?

  An application consists of a complete online application form, a resume, and your responses to the Application Questions. After thoroughly reading this website to learn more about the program requirements and benefits, visit the Application Process section for details. We encourage you to begin your application today.
  
  

• How long should my Application Question responses be?

  Your responses should answer the questions posed in three short-answer essays of 200 – 400 words each. Please click here for more information. Since the short-answer essays are a large part of the application, it is in your best interest to put some time and effort into crafting your application questions. Please do not submit generic cover letters.
  
  
  

• What should I include in my resume?

  Your resume should provide details about your education and professional experience, highlighting those jobs, activities, and awards that display your excellence and reflect achievements. Click here for more detailed information. 
  
  

• Can I include letters of recommendation with my application?

  No. Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are unable to consider documents or materials other than those required for a complete application (application form, resume, and application questions). Materials that are not required will be discarded. However, we do ask for references on the application, which we may contact to receive further insight regarding our applicants.
  
  
  

• Do I need to send transcripts with my application?

  Although official transcripts are not required with the initial application for TEACH Charlotte, acceptance into the program is contingent upon our receipt of official, sealed transcripts from each institution attended. Candidates are required to bring at least one official, undergraduate transcript to their in-person interview event, if invited. Candidates who enroll in the program will eventually need a total of three (3) official transcripts from each institution. TEACH Charlotte participants cannot begin training until these transcripts have been received. Please click here for more information.

  Because it often takes universities several weeks to process requests for official transcripts, we highly recommend that you request your official transcripts now. We encourage you to request their three (3) official copies sealed in separate envelopes in order to expedite licensure program enrollment and district processing needs upon acceptance to the program.

  
  
  

• What happens after I submit my application?

  TEACH Charlotte will begin reviewing applications as soon as they are submitted. All applications are reviewed for completeness, eligibility, and content. Those applicants who demonstrate potential for success as TEACH Charlotte participants are invited to an initial interview (you will also be notified if you are not invited to interview). You should receive notification of interview status approximately two weeks after our receipt of your application. Select candidates who complete their initial interview will then be invited to a final, in-person interview. Click here for more information. 

  
  

• What happens during an interview event?

  Interviews represent one of the most important elements of the application process, offering you a chance to demonstrate your strengths and commitment to making a difference in Charlotte's schools. Invited candidates will participate in an initial video interview, which is the first of the two-part interview process and is designed to assess a candidate’s strengths in key essential traits. If you demonstrate strength in our essential traits during your initial interview, you will be invited to attend a final, in-person interview. Final Interview Events are designed to assess our essential traits and baseline proficiency in our teaching skills. During the event, candidates will be asked to teach a five-minute demonstration lesson on a topic selected from a list provided by the program. You will then receive feedback from your interviewer and be asked to re-teach a portion of your lesson. After this, you will participate in a typical one-on-one interview. At the final Interview Event, you will have the chance to meet other potential program participants and current teachers in CMS, while gaining a deeper understanding of TEACH Charlotte and its mission. More information about the interview process will be provided in advance. Click here for more information.
  
  
  

• When and where do interviews take place?

  During the initial interview, candidates will submit a brief video to a third-party site called LikeLive. The entire initial interview process will take no more than 30 minutes to complete, and detailed information and instructions will be communicated before the interview takes place. All final Interview Events are conducted in-person in Charlotte. Most events are held on weekends, and each candidate will be given the opportunity to sign up for an interview event that is most convenient for him/her. We encourage candidates to apply early, as this will allow more opportunities to select a convenient Interview Event date.
  
  
  

• Do I have to interview in Charlotte?

  Yes. We understand that it can be an investment of time and money for our out-of-town candidates to travel here to Charlotte to interview; however, candidates invited to interview must attend one of our interview events in order to continue the application process. Interview days are comprehensive events designed to enable you to demonstrate your commitment to closing the achievement gap and your potential to become an excellent teacher through a variety of methods. They are also your chance to meet other potential TEACH Charlotte participants. Therefore, this is not something that we can re-create by telephone or other means. 
  
  

• When is the application deadline?

  The early application deadline for our Summer 2013 cohort is December 10, 2012. Candidates will be informed of their interview status approximately two weeks after we receive a completed online application. Click here to apply now.
  
  
  

• How can I get more information?

  Please refer to the Contact Us section if you would like to contact the TEACH Charlotte office with other specific questions. Be sure to thoroughly read this website before reaching out, as many of your questions will likely be answered here. 
  
  

Admission and Enrollment

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• I interviewed with TEACH Charlotte but wasn't accepted. Can I appeal the decision on my application?

  No. All applications are thoroughly reviewed during our rigorous application process, and admissions decisions are final. Because we receive an exceptional number of applications, we are unable to re-evaluate individual applications or provide personalized feedback to applicants who have not been accepted to the program. You may, however, re-apply to the program during the following application season. In order for be considered for admission into the program a second time, you must be able to demonstrate improvements through your application or interview. 
  
  

• Can I defer acceptance into the program?

  Because our application, as well as the need in the school district, changes from year to year, candidates may not defer acceptance into the TEACH Charlotte program; however, they may re-apply to begin teaching the following year.
  
  

• I meet all of the TEACH Charlotte eligibility requirements. Why wasn't I accepted?

  TEACH Charlotte is a highly selective program. We have many more eligible applicants than we have positions available in 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's acceptance. Neither is an achievement or experience, including prior teaching experience, sufficient to guarantee acceptance. 
  
  

• When does the program actually begin?

  Pre-Service Training will begin in June 2013 and will last for about six weeks. Click here for more information on Pre-Service Training. Enrollees in the program will receive training documents and other materials well in advance of its start. New program participants are expected to read these documents, and complete all pre-training assignments to ensure they have a solid foundation before they begin. Upon successful completion of training, TEACH Charlotte participants will then start teaching full-time in August 2013. 
  
  
  

Your Teaching Position

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• What will I be teaching?

  Candidates to the TEACH Charlotte program are accepted to teach specific subjects. The subject that you are accepted to teach is based on the staffing needs of the schools, your eligibility, and, whenever possible, your subject area preferences. Your Eligibility is determined according to North Carolina regulations. Participants are needed to teach in subjects where Charlotte students are currently most in need of strong teachers—math, science, exceptional children, Spanish, English, and English as a second language (ESL).  
  
  

• How do I know what subject I am qualified to teach?

  What you are qualified to teach largely depends on your academic history. Generally speaking, to be qualified to teach a subject in math or science, you must have a strong academic background in those fields, and you must pass the corresponding Praxis II exam(s). Please visit the Eligibility page for more detailed information on the eligibility requirements for all subject areas. Candidates will receive more specific directions on which tests they are required to take with their invitation to interview. 
  
  

• How does the process of securing a school-level position work?

  District hiring is the process through which teachers find their specific teaching positions in CMS. This process generally includes interactions with both principals and district human resources personnel.

  It is the mission of TEACH Charlotte to staff schools in high-need areas, and all candidates should be prepared to teach wherever they are most needed and can have the greatest impact on student achievement. Program participants must be extremely flexible about their teaching positions.
  

  The TEACH Charlotte program serves as a resource to new teachers during parts of the participants' district hiring process, but it is ultimately the responsibility of the teacher to secure a teaching position by presenting him/herself as a compelling candidate for hire.The hiring decision is made by the school and/or district, not TEACH Charlotte. Review Securing Your Teaching Position to learn more. 
  

• When will I know where I will be teaching?

  TEACH Charlotte participants will be actively engaged in the hiring process from spring through the beginning of the school year. Identifying and finalizing a specific teaching job is a challenging process, as there are many variables involved in predicting job openings at the school level. You will receive more information about this process if you are accepted into the TEACH Charlotte program. 
  
  

• Can I change my teaching position after I have started teaching?

  TEACH Charlotte participants will teach in the schools where they are most needed. Therefore, they are expected to stay in their original teaching position and commit to affecting positive change in their school. 
  
  

• Will there be other TEACH Charlotte teachers teaching at my school?

  TEACH Charlotte works with schools and participants to help teachers find positions in the same school or neighborhood as other TEACH Charlotte teachers. Many teachers in the 2011 and 2012 cohorst are currently teaching in schools with other members of TEACH Charlotte. However, the hiring process is driven in large part by district need and the location of un-staffed positions. For this reason, we ask participants to be extremely flexible while securing their teaching position. 
  
  

Training and Ongoing Resources

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• Once I become a TEACH Charlotte teacher, how will I be prepared for the classroom?

  In June and July of 2013, TEACH Charlotte participants will complete an intensive six-week training program that includes observation and field experience in a Charlotte classroom, daily sessions led by experienced teachers focused on the practical aspects of teaching and issues faced by teachers in high-need schools, and additional coursework related to the foundation of strong teaching practices. Beginning in the fall of 2013, participants will also be enrolled in the TNTP Academy. The TNTP Academy curriculum is grounded in providing new teachers with the skills and strategies necessary to be successful in high-need classrooms. Attendance at all components of training is mandatory. Please click here for more information. 
  
  

• How intensive is Pre-Service Training?

  The TEACH Charlotte Pre-Service Training concentrates a great deal of training into only a few weeks; training is extremely demanding. Due to strict North Carolina guidelines and the critical part that training plays in preparing participants to be successful in the classroom, program participants cannot miss any portion of the training. Please review the Training section of this website for more information. 
  
  

• How long is Pre-Service Training?

  The Pre-Service Training program for TEACH Charlotte participants is a full-time, six-week commitment during June and July. 
  
  

• Will I be paid for training?

  Once participants begin their full-time teaching positions, they will be provided with a signing bonus. Because the time between the start of training and a new teacher's first paycheck may be lengthy, we encourage participants to take appropriate measures to ensure their financial well-being during this time. TEACH Charlotte teachers go on the district payroll when they begin teaching. Please review the Salary and Benefits section of this website for more information. 
  
  

• What kind of ongoing resources and connections are available to TEACH Charlotte teachers?

  Teachers often look to develop their most basic, ongoing support network at their schools. Teachers may collaborate with and access resources from other teachers, district instructional specialists, assistant principals, principals, or a grade-level or subject- area team. TEACH Charlotte teachers can and should take advantage of district and school-sponsored professional development and mentoring programs.

  Moreover, school assignment and Pre-Service Training events facilitate connections among participants who often teach the same subjects or are clustered together in particular schools or areas of the county. Designated members of the TEACH Charlotte program staff also offer resources and support to new teachers. All participants will be observed by TEACH Charlotte at least two times during their first year teaching and given actionable feedback. TEACH Charlotte communicates professional development and networking opportunities throughout the year.
  
  

Compensation and Benefits

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• What is the starting salary for TEACH Charlotte teachers?

  The starting salary and schedule for TEACH Charlotte participants is the same as that for all teachers in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. For teachers with a bachelor's degree and no other coursework or previous teaching experience, the starting salary for 2012-2013 was $35,517.00. TEACH Charlotte teachers with a master's degree may be eligible to start higher on the pay scale, but these decisions are made by the state of North Carolina on a case-by-case basis. It is important to note that in order to be eligible for master's degree-level pay, a one's master's degree must correspond with her/his area of licensure (e.g., in order to earn master's level pay, a math teacher must have a master's degree in math). The complete salary schedule can be viewed here, and candidates should refer to the Salary & Benefits section of this website for more information. 
  
  

• What employment benefits do teachers receive?

  TEACH Charlotte teachers are eligible for the same benefits as all other CMS teachers, including health insurance and a pension plan. For more information about benefits for teachers, please visit the benefits page on the CMS website here. Candidates may also refer to the Salary & Benefits section of this website for more information.