ONBOARDING LOGISTICS COLORADO. Teach for America Region Name 1

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1 ONBOARDING LOGISTICS COLORADO Teach for America Region Name 1

2 IN THIS SECTION: Timeline and Action Items Timeline and Action Items by Sub-Region» Mark your Calendars» Upcoming Communications and Action Items Institute Logistics» Summary of Institute Logistics: Quick Facts» 2016 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 & Certification Coursework» Master s Degree» Finances Teach for America COLORADO 2

3 COLORADO SPRINGS, CO Timeline 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 Colorado Springs, CO TBA by October 1 Summer institute TBA this December TBA this March ASPIRE Orientation TBA TBA in January TFA Orientation TBA TBA in February First day of school (teachers) Harrison School District 2 TBA plan to return to CO immediately after Institute First day of school (students) Harrison School District 2 TBA Teach for America COLORADO 3

4 DENVER, CO Timeline 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 Denver, CO TBA by October 1 Summer institute TBA this December TBA this March ASPIRE Orientation TBA TBA in January TFA Orientation TBA TBA in February First day of school (teachers) Denver Public Schools TBA plan to return to CO immediately after Institute First day of school (students) Denver Public Schools TBA Teach for America COLORADO 4

5 PUEBLO, CO Timeline 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 Pueblo, CO TBA by October 1 Summer institute TBA this December TBA this March ASPIRE Orientation TBA TBA in January TFA Orientation TBA TBA in February First day of school (teachers) Pueblo 60 School District TBA plan to return to CO immediately after Institute First day of school (students) Pueblo 60 School District TBA Teach for America COLORADO 5

6 PLACEMENT 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. EDL/ Returning Deferral APPLICATION DEADLINE 1st/2nd 3rd 4th 5th Action Details Sept 30 Oct 13 Nov 4 Nov 18 Jan 6 20 Mar 17 Mar 31 Apr 25 May 3 Oct 13 Nov 18 Jan 20 March 31 May 3 Oct 19 Nov 20 Jan 22 Mar 29 May 4 Oct 13 Nov 18 Jan 20 Mar 31 May 3 Log on to the Applicant Center Speak with Colorado staff Matriculate Register for and take your required tests Onboarding Portal Access 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 grants and loans awards or submit an application (if applicable), view testing registration instructions, and learn more about living and working in your region. You will receive a call from a staff member from the Colorado office to welcome you to our corps. These conversations give you an opportunity to discuss any questions you have about living and teaching in Colorado. Deadline to accept or decline our offer on the Applicant Center. 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 the Applicant Center. You will receive access to our Onboarding portal on the last day of our matriculation window. It will contain detailed information about teaching in Colorado, including important next steps to fulfill your requirements to become a teacher. Rolling Rolling Rolling Rolling Rolling MISC You will have additional action items within the hiring and licensing process. Teach for America COLORADO 6

7 INSTITUTE TIMELINE APPLICATION DEADLINE EDL/ Returning Deferral Nov 30 Nov 30 Jan 29 April 6 May 9 1st/2nd 3rd 4th 5th Action Details Corps members receive preliminary institute information from regions All incoming corps members will receive preliminary institute information from their regions to help them plan for summer institute. Dec 7 Dec 7 Feb 5 April 13 May 20 April 6 April 6 April 6 April 6 May 9 Deadline to complete the Accommodations Request Form Corps members receive additional institute information and action items from regions All corps members should review and complete this form. You will receive a link to this form from your regional team before this deadline. Corps members will be able to submit requests and provide details for any special accommodations needed leading up to and during institute. All incoming corps members receive additional institute information 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 COLORADO 7

8 INSTITUTE LOGISTICS In the summer of 2016, Teach For America will run six national training institutes in Atlanta, Houston, the Mississippi Delta, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Tulsa. In addition to our six national institutes, several regions will also be hosting their own regional training institutes. Across these institutes, about 4,000 new Teach For America corps members will come together for an intensive five-week pre-service training program. In most cases, each institute houses corps members from a specific set of regions so that corps members can collaborate with one another and build the relationships that will be crucial during their two-year commitments. This section will highlight some logistical information about your transition to institute. Institute Accommodations and Resources Housing At national institutes, Teach For America provides housing for all corps members for the duration of institute. Each institute site is based at a university campus, and each corps member shares a dormitory room with one or more other corps members. Accommodations are similar to many college dormitory settings. Due to the fact that we prioritize rooming you with other corps members in your region and because of the high number of corps members who attend institute, we are unable to provide advance notice about roommate assignments and are unable to take roommate requests. Food Teach For America provides breakfast, lunch, and dinner for corps members for the duration of institute. Both breakfast and dinner are served in the host university dining hall. Teach For America provides bag lunches for corps members to pick up during breakfast on days when they teach summer school. Many corps members purchase additional food to supplement the food institute provides, and any food outside of the meal plan will be at your own expense. Teach For America will work with you to accommodate your dietary needs. You can indicate special dietary needs on a personal information survey that we will ask you to complete online this spring. Family Accommodations/Child Care Services The institute schedule is extremely rigorous, and whenever possible, we encourage corps members to find alternate arrangements for children and families for the duration of institute. In cases where this is not possible, we can arrange family housing for corps members who choose to bring a partner, spouse, and/or children to the institute; however, you will be responsible for locating and making your own childcare arrangements prior to your arrival at institute. You will be responsible for costs incurred for the travel, food, and lodging of your partner/spouse and/or children. We will provide information about the process for requesting family housing this spring. Parking Teach For America provides transportation to and from school sites during the summer, but some corps members choose to bring a car to institute for their personal use. Corps members who drive to 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 permit. University parking passes will be available for pick-up during registration on the first day of institute. You are responsible for any parking costs you might incur. You will receive more information about parking, including instructions on how to request a parking pass and details on any related costs, later this spring after negotiations with the university sites have been finalized. Teach for America COLORADO 8

9 Computers We strongly recommend that you have a laptop for institute, as well as during your two-year commitment. At institute, you will be asked to complete activities and access resources that are only available online or in soft copy (e.g., flash drives with assessment tools, download specific curriculum resources). While you will be able to use computer labs that will allow you to complete all requirements, access to these labs is limited, and they are only available at the university sites. Previous corps members have told us that having their own laptops at institute provides greater flexibility and efficiency, allowing them to work at both their school and university sites. In addition, you may find it helpful to bring a printer with you to the institute, as institute sites may place limits on the number of pages you can print and copy. Once you are in your region, you will need a laptop and a printer in order to continue to access online teaching tools and resources and to set up your planning and tracking systems. While some school sites provide corps members with computers, this is not common, and it is not as convenient as having your own laptop. If you do not currently own a laptop and are concerned about your ability to purchase one, please apply for transitional funding. Grants and loans will be distributed by the first week of institute and may be used to reimburse travel costs to institute and regional inductions. Applicants can also use transitional awards to pay for personal and moving expenses (e.g., deposits on apartments) and necessary coursework, testing, and district processing fees. Please check the Applicant Center to learn more about transitional grants and loans and how to apply. Storage Storage space in your room is very limited. You should make your own arrangements for storage if you have too many belongings to keep in your dorm room at institute. Pets No pets of any kind are permitted in the residence halls at any of our institutes university sites or in any of our family housing accommodations. Please make other arrangements for your pets during your time at institute. Exceptions will only be made for service animals. If you have a service animal, please indicate this on the 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 COLORADO 9

10 REQUIRED MATERIALS AND DOCUMENTATION TRANSCRIPTS You will be responsible for mailing in two degree conferred transcripts to the Teach For America Colorado Denver office by July 1 st, In addition, you will receive information about any additional transcripts required for your institute, if applicable, later this spring. TUBERCULOSIS (TB) TESTING At some of our institute sites, corps members are required to provide documentation before or at the start of the institute indicating that they are free of active tuberculosis or, if infected, that you are not contagious. This is a legal requirement for teaching children during institute and in some of our placement regions. This test must be conducted no earlier than 30 days prior to arrival at the institute. If your institute requires TB testing, you will receive more information about TB test documentation and required paperwork to complete later this spring. PHYSICAL EXAM At some of our institute sites, corps members will need to provide the results of a physical exam. You will be responsible for any costs associated with completing this requirement. If you need to submit the results of a physical exam, you will receive additional information as it becomes available in the spring. PROOF OF VACCINATION At some of our institute sites, corps members will need to provide proof of vaccination for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). You will be responsible for any costs associated with completing this requirement. If you need to submit this documentation, you will receive additional information and instructions as they become available in the spring. BACKGROUND CHECK To comply with AmeriCorps, all corps members are required to receive criminal background checks before institute. In some cases, summer school districts will also require background checks prior to allowing corps members in the classroom. Two of the required components may be a child abuse background check and an FBI background check. Completing background checks may involve providing a copy of your fingerprints. You will be responsible for any costs associated with completing and submitting this paperwork. The final stage of this process often mandates an identification check during institute registration; therefore, you will need to bring a current passport, driver s license or state identification card on the day of registration. If your institute requires this, you will receive additional information in the spring. If your institute school district does not require background checks, you will be responsible for obtaining an FBI background check on your own to comply with AmeriCorps. You will receive additional information on how to do this in the spring. POTENTIAL ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION Corps members at some institutes may be required to provide documentation beyond the items listed above to obtain temporary clearance and licensure for the summer. Failure to follow all instructions and timelines may result in being ineligible to teach Teach for America COLORADO 1 0

11 during the summer and, therefore, fulfill training requirements. We are currently working with the school districts in our institute cities to finalize your institute requirements. You will receive more information institute requirements in the spring via and on our Onboarding portal. Other Information MEDICAL CARE AND INSURANCE It is highly recommended that you have health coverage for the summer. We will post more health insurance details and resources on the Onboarding portal this spring; we encourage you to check with your current provider and explore all your options. Access to healthcare is unavailable through Teach For America and at our host universities. If you anticipate needing medical treatment during institute, we suggest locating a doctor or medical facility prior to your arrival. Teach For America is unable to provide medical referrals. INSTITUTE DRESS CODE Professional dress is required when you are working at your summer school site and when attending certain functions (e.g., Welcoming and Closing Ceremonies) during institute. Professional dress usually consists of: - A button-down shirt and tie or a blouse, slacks or a skirt of reasonable length, or a dress Spaghetti-strap shirts are not acceptable; however, conservative sleeveless shirts are generally acceptable for women. All shirts must cover the midriff. All corps members should ensure that their clothing does not overexpose parts of their bodies or undergarments when they, for example, move to write on the chalkboard or sit down on a rug. We ask that corps members use their best judgment and err on the conservative side when making decisions regarding dress. Piercings (including ears) may need to be removed or covered while at your school site, and some tattoos may also need to be covered. Please note that specific school sites may have additional dress code requirements, including requirements regarding shoes (specifically regarding athletic shoes, open-toed shoes and flip flops, and heels when teaching small children). When planning a wardrobe, please keep in mind that while attending institute, you may also be asked to interview with school and district officials for potential full-time teaching positions in your region. You will receive more information about professional dress at your institute in the spring on the Onboarding portal. INSTITUTE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES Please refer to the Teach For America Corps Member Handbook for information on the policies and expectations for all corps members. Please note that additional information about your specific institute s policies and procedures will be released and communicated out to throughout the year leading up to institute. SUMMER INSTITUTE PREPARATION CHECKLIST All preparation action steps will be posted on the Institute Preparation Checklist on your Onboarding portal this spring. These items will be posted once they have been confirmed with your district and university partners. Teach for America COLORADO 1 1

12 OVERVIEW OF CORPS MEMBER PLACEMENT Placement is the word we use to describe the process by which 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 placing corps members as well as the placement timeline and your responsibilities related to placement. In placing corps members, we have three priorities: Meet the specific human capital needs of our placement partners (district, charter, ECE site) Have all corps members hired by the first day of school in a position that they would be qualified to teach If possible, after all above priorities, we may also take into account corps members grade level/content area preferences. PLACEMENT PARTNER NEED Our first priority in placing corps members is to meet the specific needs of our placement partners and place corps members where they can have the greatest impact. We maintain communication with partner schools and districts throughout the year to develop a clear sense of where the greatest human capital needs are and how corps 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. that you remain as flexible as possible during the placement process. TIMELINE The placement process and timeline is different in each region depending on the processes of our district and school partners. However, in Colorado most CMs are hired late spring, through hiring fairs, principal interviews and centralized district hires. In some cases, placement may begin prior to induction. In these situations, we will work together with you and our partner principals or site leaders in order to prepare you to interview with a principal or hiring manager over the phone, or if possible, here in Colorado. Typically, ninety-nine percent of Colorado corps members are hired by the first day of school. In cases where corps members have not been hired by first day of school due to circumstances outside of the corps member s control, they were either on district or placement partner payroll, or they were eligible to receive financial support from Teach For America. 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 10

13 YOUR ROLE Corps members have important responsibilities in the placement process. Your responsibilities include the following: 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 by July 1 st,2016» 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. Communicate professionally and effectively with your Onboarding Coordinator to prepare for the hiring process. Reviewing all Colorado placement materials and keeping on top of placement-related deadlines Prepare for interviews:» Research the school, district and/or charter you are interviewing with» Speak with current corps members and alumni working in our community» Practice responding to commonly asked interview questions» Adapt to feedback from principals and regional staff members to improve interview skills You will receive more detailed information about what to expect and how you can prepare for the placement process after you have accepted our offer to join the corps. Teach for America Region Name 11

14 TEACHER CERTIFICATION Teach For America Colorado s works in accordance to the ASPIRE program. ASPIRE (Alternative School Professionals in Real-World Experiences) is an alternative licensure program ran through the University of Colorado, Denver s Continuing Professional Education program. Certification requirements: All corps members must be enrolled in ASPIRE- CU-Denver s alternative licensing program. If a corps member is already licensed with a valid Colorado educator s license, they will do an abbreviated version of the program. Can corps members earn certification in two years? Yes, corps members will obtain their initial license at the close of their first year, provided they complete all coursework and other requirements. Additional benefits of the certification program: Corps members can, for a fee, have their ASPIRE coursework count towards graduate school credits if applied to the CU-Denver Masters program. Additionally, ASPIRE provides each corps member with a support person to provide feedback and mentorship throughout the first year of teaching. Cost: Certification costs corps members $5,000. AmeriCorps money cannot be used to pay for certification, but can be used to pay towards graduate degrees. Colorado Corps members are eligible to receive an interest and fee free loan of $5,000 to cover the cost of the ASPIRE program. Steps for corps members: Corps members will need to take and pass their required PLACE/Praxis exam by June 11 th, Corps members will need to provide a degree conferred transcripts by July 1 st, Corps members will need to complete a series of modules through ASPIRE prior to institute and will receive more information on this at induction in the spring of Time commitment: During the first year, corps members should plan to spend 5-15 hours per week completing or attending coursework/courses. Summer requirements: Corps members will start ASPIRE in-person programming in Colorado during the summer after institute. Information about the certification partner organization: Our certification partner is ASPIRE. We ve been working with ASPIRE since 2013, and truly believe the development and coursework is aligned to our commitment to ensuring each of our teachers holds high expectations for students, meets Colorado teacher standards and thinks critically around creating culturally competent classrooms. Master s options: At the close of the first year, corps members can enroll in a masters program through our university partner, CU- Denver. There are a number of track options available, and corps members can pay to have up to 9 credits transferred from ASPIRE to the masters program. It is not possible for corps members to enroll in the masters program prior to the close of their first year in the corps. It is also not possible for corps members to complete their masters degree through our university partner within their two years in the corps. Many corps members obtain a masters after their third year in the classroom. Learn more about the Master s option by clicking here. Teach for America Region Name 12

15 ONBOARDING LOGISTICS COLORADO The Denver Office 1391 Speer Blvd, Suite 710 Denver, CO Teach for America Region Name 15