NORTHEAST OHIO-CLEVELAND - ONBOARDING LOGISTICS
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ONBOARDING LOGISTICS NORTHEAST OHIO- CLEVELAND Teach for America • Region Name 1
IN THIS SECTION:
Timeline and Action Items
Timeline and Action Items
» Mark your Calendars
» Upcoming Communications and Action Items
Institute Logistics
» Summary of Institute Logistics: Quick Facts
» 2015 Institute dates and locations
» Institute Accommodations and Resources
» Required materials and Documentation
Overview of Corps Member Placement
» Placement Partner Need
» Timeline
» Your Role
Teacher Certification Coursework
» Master’s Degree
» Finances
Teach for America • Northeast Ohio- Cleveland 2Timeline and Action Items
We hope the following information will give you an idea of what to
expect in the coming months and help guide your planning throughout
the spring. Please do not hesitate to contact your regional team for
clarification on any of the information in this document.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Event Location Date
Induction Northeast Ohio-Cleveland May 26—May 30*
Summer Institute Atlanta May 31—July 4*
Orientation Northeast Ohio-Cleveland Summer2015*
First Day of School (teachers) Northeast Ohio-Cleveland * Varies Depending on Network or District;
Sometime Between July 13 and August
24
First Day of School (students) Northeast Ohio-Cleveland Varies Depending on Network or District;
Sometime Between July 27 and August
24
*These dates are tentative
Teach for America • Northeast Ohio- Cleveland 3PLACEMENT SPECIFIC TESTING REQUIREMENTS
Please locate your placement on the table below to find out more
information about the tests that you will be required to take.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
1st/2nd 3rd 4th/5th Action Details
Log on to the Applicant Center Here you can access resources that will help you make the
decision to join Teach For America: access our Corps Member
Requirements, Policies, and Procedures; view your transitional
Immediately grants and loans awards or submit an application (if applicable),
view testing registration instructions, and learn more about living
and working in your region.
Oct 30 – Jan Mar 19 –
Speak with Northeast Ohio- Cleveland staff You will receive a call from a staff member from the Northeast
Nov 12 8 – 21 April 1
Ohio- Cleveland office to welcome you to our corps. These
conversations give you an opportunity to discuss any questions
you have about living and teaching in Northeast Ohio- Cleveland.
Nov 12 Jan 21 April 1
Matriculate Deadline to accept or decline our offer on the Applicant Center.
Dec 15 Feb 13
Register for and take your required tests We strongly recommend that you register for earliest possible test
date as indicated your Testing Overview document to ensure a
smooth transition and placement process. Your Testing Overview
document is located under the Resources tab on the Applicant
Center.
Teach for America • Northeast Ohio- Cleveland 4PLACEMENT SPECIFIC TESTING REQUIREMENTS (CONTINUED)
Please locate your placement on the table below to find out more
information about the tests that you will be required to take.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
1st/2nd 3rd 4th/5th Action Details
Nov 21 Jan 30 April 10
Corps members receive preliminary institute All incoming corps members will receive preliminary institute infor-
information from regions mation from their regions to help them plan for summer institute.
Nov 26 Feb 6 April 17
Deadline to complete the Accommodations All corps members should review and complete this form. You
Request Form will receive a link to this form from your regional team before this
deadline. Corps members will be able to submit requests and pro-
vide details for any special accommodations needed leading up
to and during institute .
April 10 April 10 April 10
Corps members receive additional institute All incoming corps members receive additional institute informa-
information and action items from regions tion and institute related action items from regions. Corps
members can also expect to receive additional institute
information after this date as it becomes available.
Teach for America • Northeast Ohio- Cleveland 5INSTITUTE LOGISTICS
In the summer of 2015, Teach For America will run eight national additional food to supplement the food institute provides, and any
training institutes in Atlanta, Houston, Los Angeles, the Mississippi food outside of the meal plan will be at your own expense. Teach For
Delta, New York City, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Tulsa. In addition America will work with you to accommodate your dietary needs. You
to our eight national institutes, several regions will also be hosting can indicate special dietary needs on a personal information survey
their own regional training institutes. Across these institutes, about that we will ask you to complete online this spring.
5,000 new Teach For America corps members will come together for
an intensive five-week pre-service training program. In most cases, Family Accommodations/Child Care Services
each institute houses corps members from a specific set of regions so The institute schedule is extremely rigorous, and whenever possible,
that corps members can collaborate with one another and build the we encourage corps members to find alternate arrangements for
relationships that will be crucial during their two-year commitments. children and families for the duration of institute. In cases where this
This section will highlight some logistical information about your is not possible, we can arrange family housing for corps members
transition to institute. who choose to bring a partner, spouse, and/or children to the
institute; however, you will be responsible for locating and making
Institute Accommodations and Resources your own childcare arrangements prior to your arrival at institute.
Housing You will be responsible for costs incurred for the travel, food, and
Teach For America provides housing for all corps members for the lodging of your partner/spouse and/or children. We will provide
duration of institute. Each institute site is based at a university information about the process for requesting family housing this
campus, and each corps member shares a dormitory room with one spring.
or more other corps members. Accommodations are similar to many
college dormitory settings. Due to the fact that we prioritize rooming Parking
you with other corps members in your region and because of the Teach For America provides transportation to and from school sites
high number of corps members who attend institute, we are unable during the summer, but some corps members choose to bring a
to provide advance notice about roommate assignments and are car to institute for their personal use. Corps members who drive to
unable to take roommate requests. institute will have access to parking on site, though parking is limited
at certain university sites and you may have to pay for a parking
Food permit. University parking passes will be available for pick-up during
Teach For America provides breakfast, lunch, and dinner for corps registration on the first day of institute. You are responsible for any
members for the duration of institute. Both breakfast and dinner are parking costs you might incur. You will receive more information
served in the host university dining hall. Teach For America provides about parking, including instructions on how to request a parking
bag lunches for corps members to pick up during breakfast on days pass and details on any related costs, later this spring after
when they teach summer school. Many corps members purchase negotiations with the university sites have been finalized.
Teach for America • Northeast Ohio- Cleveland 6Computers We strongly recommend that you have a laptop for institute, as well Grants and loans will be distributed by the first week of institute as during your two-year commitment. At institute, you will be asked and may be used to reimburse travel costs to institute and regional to complete activities and access resources that are only available inductions. Applicants can also use transitional awards to pay for online or in soft copy (e.g., flash drives with assessment tools, personal and moving expenses (e.g., deposits on apartments) and download specific curriculum resources). While you will be able to necessary coursework, testing, and district processing fees. use computer labs that will allow you to complete all requirements, access to these labs is limited, and they are only available at the Please check the Applicant Center to learn more about transitional university sites. Previous corps members have told us that having grants and loans and how to apply. their own laptops at institute provides greater flexibility and efficiency, allowing them to work at both their school and university Storage sites. In addition, you may find it helpful to bring a printer with you Storage space in your room is very limited. You should make your to the institute, as institute sites may place limits on the number of own arrangements for storage if you have too many belongings to pages you can print and copy. keep in your dorm room at institute. Once you are in your region, you will need a laptop and a printer in Pets order to continue to access online teaching tools and resources and No pets of any kind are permitted in the residence halls at any to set up your planning and tracking systems. While some school of our institutes’ university sites or in any of our family housing sites provide corps members with computers, this is not common, accommodations. Please make other arrangements for your pets and it is not as convenient as having your own laptop. If you do during your time at institute. Exceptions will only be made for service not currently own a laptop and are concerned about your ability to animals. If you have a service animal, please indicate this on the purchase one, please apply for transitional funding. Accommodations survey sent out by your region. Transitional Grants and Loans Teach For America covers some major expenses during summer institute (e.g., housing, food) for all corps members. We also offer transitional funding awards in the form of interest-free loans and, in some cases, grants. Packages of up to $6,000 are offered based on a corps member’s demonstrated need and the cost of living in the assigned region. Teach for America • Northeast Ohio- Cleveland 7
REQUIRED MATERIALS AND DOCUMENTATION
TRANSCRIPTS
Three copies of the official transcript with degree confirmation requirement. If you need to submit this documentation, you will
should be brought to Induction in Cleveland (please do not order receive additional information and instructions as they become
transcripts without a degree confirmation). In addition, you will available in the spring.
receive information about any additional transcripts required for
your institute, if applicable, later this spring. BACKGROUND CHECK
To comply with AmeriCorps, all corps members are required to
TUBERCULOSIS (TB) TESTING receive criminal background checks before institute. In some cases,
At some of our institute sites, corps members are required to provide summer school districts will also require background checks prior
documentation before or at the start of the institute indicating that to allowing corps members in the classroom. Two of the required
they are free of active tuberculosis or, if infected, that you are not components may be a child abuse background check and an FBI
contagious. This is a legal requirement for teaching children during background check. Completing background checks may involve
institute and in some of our placement regions. This test must be providing a copy of your fingerprints. You will be responsible for any
conducted no earlier than 30 days prior to arrival at the institute. If costs associated with completing and submitting this paperwork.
your institute requires TB testing, you will receive more information The final stage of this process often mandates an identification
about TB test documentation and required paperwork to complete check during institute registration; therefore, you will need to bring
later this spring. a current passport, driver’s license or state identification card on
the day of registration. If your institute requires this, you will receive
PHYSICAL EXAM additional information in the spring. If your institute school district
At some of our institute sites, corps members will need to provide does not require background checks, you will be responsible for
the results of a physical exam. You will be responsible for any costs obtaining an FBI background check on your own to comply with
associated with completing this requirement. If you need to submit AmeriCorps. You will receive additional information on how to do
the results of a physical exam, you will receive additional information this in the spring.
as it becomes available in the spring.
POTENTIAL ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION
PROOF OF VACCINATION Corps members at some institutes may be required to provide
At some of our institute sites, corps members will need to provide documentation beyond the items listed above to obtain temporary
proof of vaccination for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). You clearance and licensure for the summer. Failure to follow all
will be responsible for any costs associated with completing this instructions and timelines may result in being ineligible to teach
Teach for America • Northeast Ohio- Cleveland 8during the summer and, therefore, fulfill training requirements. does not overexpose parts of their bodies or undergarments when they,
We are currently working with the school districts in our institute for example, move to write on the chalkboard or sit down on a rug.
cities to finalize your institute requirements. You will receive more
information institute requirements in the spring via email and on We ask that corps members use their best judgment and err on the
TFANet. conservative side when making decisions regarding dress. Piercings
(including ears) may need to be removed or covered while at your
Other Information school site, and some tattoos may also need to be covered. Please
MEDICAL CARE AND INSURANCE note that specific school sites may have additional dress code
It is highly recommended that you have health coverage for the requirements, including requirements regarding shoes (specifically
summer. We will post more health insurance details and resources regarding athletic shoes, open-toed shoes and flip flops, and heels
on your TFANet homepage this spring; we encourage you to check when teaching small children). When planning a wardrobe, please
with your current provider and explore all your options. keep in mind that while attending institute, you may also be asked
to interview with school and district officials for potential full-time
Access to healthcare is unavailable through Teach For America and teaching positions in your region.
at our host universities. If you anticipate needing medical treatment
during institute, we suggest locating a doctor or medical facility You will receive more information about professional dress at your
prior to your arrival. Teach For America is unable to provide medical institute in the spring on TFANet.
referrals.
INSTITUTE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
INSTITUTE DRESS CODE Please refer to the Teach For America Corps Member Handbook for
Professional dress is required when you are working at your summer information on the policies and expectations for all corps members.
school site and when attending certain functions (e.g., Welcoming and Please note that additional information about your specific institute’s
Closing Ceremonies) during institute. Professional dress usually consists of: policies and procedures will be released and communicated out to
throughout the year leading up to institute.
- A button-down shirt and tie or a blouse, slacks or a skirt of reasonable
length, or a dress SUMMER INSTITUTE PREPARATION CHECKLIST
All preparation action steps will be posted on the Institute
Spaghetti-strap shirts are not acceptable; however, conservative Preparation Checklist on your TFANet homepage this spring. These
sleeveless shirts are generally acceptable for women. All shirts must items will be posted once they have been confirmed with your
cover the midriff. All corps members should ensure that their clothing district and university partners.
Teach for America • Northeast Ohio- Cleveland 9OVERVIEW OF CORPS MEMBER PLACEMENT
Placement is the word we use to describe the process by which that you remain as flexible as possible during the placement process.
you are hired by a specific school for a particular position (e.g.,
seventh grade English at Washington Middle School). This document
will provide you with an introduction to our main priorities for TIMELINE
placing corps members as well as the placement timeline and your The placement process and timeline is different in each region
responsibilities related to placement. depending on the processes of our district and school partners.
However, in Northeast Ohio- Cleveland most CMs are hired during
In placing corps members, we have three priorities: the spring, through hiring fairs, principal interviews, and centralized
• Meet the specific human capital needs of our placement district hires.
partners (district, charter, ECE site)
• Have all corps members hired by the first day of school in a In some cases, placement may begin prior to induction. In these
position that they would be qualified to teach situations, we will work together with you and our partner principals
• If possible, after all above priorities, we may also take or site leaders in order to prepare you to interview with a principal or
into account corps members’ grade level/content area hiring manager over the phone, or if possible, here in Northeast
preferences. Ohio- Cleveland.
PLACEMENT PARTNER NEED Last year, 100 percent of Northeast Ohio- Cleveland corps members
Our first priority in placing corps members is to meet the specific were hired by the first day of school. In cases where corps members
needs of our placement partners and place corps members where have not been hired by first day of school due to circumstances
they can have the greatest impact. We maintain communication with outside of the corps member’s control, they were either on district
partner schools and districts throughout the year to develop a clear or placement partner payroll, or they were eligible to receive
sense of where the greatest human capital needs are and how corps financial support from Teach For America.
members can play a role in closing the gap. Partners’ specific needs
for new teachers will often fluctuate throughout the year as teachers
retire, change grade levels, or transfer to other campuses, and as
school district budgets change.
Though the vast majority of corps members receive a placement that
matches their original assignment, it is possible that your placement
will not, as a result of changing district, school, or site-level needs.
For example, a corps member originally assigned to teach elementary
school may end up teaching middle school. For this reason, we ask
Teach for America • Region Name 10YOUR ROLE
Corps members have important responsibilities in the placement You will receive more detailed information about what to expect
process. Your responsibilities include the following: and how you can prepare for the placement process after you
have accepted our offer to join the corps.
Ensure that you meet our state and district hiring requirements
including:
· Preparing for, taking, and passing all required tests
· Passing criminal/background checks
· Submitting your degree-conferred transcripts to our
office when you arrive at induction
· Interviewing effectively with district hiring managers.
Create a resume that highlights your experience relevant to
teaching and that will enable you to stand out during what can
sometimes be a competitive process. You will receive more
information about how to prepare this resume after you have
accepted our offer.
Review all Northeast Ohio placement materials and keep on top
of placement-related deadlines
Prepare for interviews:
Research the school, district and/or charter you are
interviewing with
· Speak with current CMs and Alumni working at the
school and/or district
· Practice responding to commonly asked interview
questions
· Adapt to feedback from principals and regional staff
members to improve interview skills
Teach for America • Region Name 11TEACHER CERTIFICATION
In April 2011, the State of Ohio passed a law that made it possible for Teach FINANCES
For America corps members to obtain a resident educator license in to teach Teacher certification costs are as follows:
in Ohio. According to this law, corps members need to meet the following Initial Four Year Resident Educator License in 1 subject -$ 160
requirements to obtain their teaching license: Additional License: $ 20
FBI / BCI Background Check: $ 60
1. Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher Certification Tests : $65— $139 (Plan to take at least two tests)
education See testing overview guide for more details
2. Maintain a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.5 out of 4.0
3. Pass an examination prescribed by the state board in the subject area
to be taught
Please see section on Testing Overview for more information
4. Successfully complete the summer training institute operated by
Teach For America
To be eligible for hire by our placement partners, corps members need
to be considered Highly Qualified Teachers (HQT) under state law.
Meeting all the components of the criteria listed above, and
successfully obtaining a resident educator license, will result in
qualifying you as a Highly Qualified Teacher.
Northeast Ohio corps members will need to take certification exams
(determined individually according to placement assignments) in order
to earn their certification.
MASTER’S DEGREE
You will have the option to earn a master’s degree in urban teaching
through Cleveland State University. This program will take two years to
complete.
Teach for America • Region Name 12ONBOARDING LOGISTICS NORTHEAST OHIO- CLEVELAND The Northeast Ohio- Cleveland Office 3500 Lorain Ave, Suite 400 Cleveland, OH 44113 216.416.4828 Teach for America • Region Name 15
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