Q: I want to teach for Memphis City Schools. How do I get started?

Teach Memphis accepts applications for all instructional classroom positions as well as for counselors and library media specialists for Memphis City Schools. To begin, please review the information found on this website about the different ways you may become a teacher with Memphis City Schools as well as the processes and documentation required. Once you have familiarized yourself with the process, click the How to Apply button at the top of the page to begin your application. You will answer a series of questions that will inform us of your applicant type (certified, alternate route, transfer, or other licensed employee). From there, you will enter basic information about yourself, your past experience, your college and degree, your background, your certification (if any), references, and other pertinent information. Once submitted, your application will be pre-screened for eligibility to teach with Memphis City Schools.

Q: I was promised a position by a principal, why do I have to apply through Teach Memphis?

As part of the Teacher Effectiveness Initiative, Memphis City Schools has launched a first-of-its-kind, start-to-finish application process that raises the bar on who enters the candidate pool—and ultimately the classroom.  Therefore, all individuals interested in applying for teaching positions with Memphis City Schools are required to complete the application at www.teachmemphis.org to be considered for a position.  Additionally, we must verify your eligibility to teach in order to ensure proper licensure and highly qualified status.

Q: I am now in “Final Document Review” status, what does that mean?

Final Document Review is a status in the application process that means you have met the quality standards for becoming a teacher with Memphis City Schools based on our rigorous screening process.  At this time, we are doing a final review of your qualifications and documentation to ensure that you will be approved by the district and eligible for hire.  If we are unable to determine your qualifications, we will contact you for clarification or official documents. Once we can determine that you will be qualified to teach, you will be admitted to the Teach Memphis Candidate Pool and will be able to interview with principals for positions open to external hiring or mid-year vacancies. 

Q: I am interested in Career & Technology Education positions, how do I apply?

Career & Technology Education teachers must complete the eligibility questionnaire and online application by clicking the Apply Now button at the top of the page. Your application will be screened for eligibility, and if deemed eligible, you will be admitted to the Teach Memphis Candidate Pool as a CTE teacher in your specific subject area.  You will also need to provide the required documentation before being hired by the district, and you must attend a mandatory orientation session with MCS Human Resources before reporting to work.

Q: Which application should I submit if I want to work as a substitute teacher?

Substitute teachers should contact MCS Human Resources to apply at 901-416-5300. Choose option 1 for the Employee Service Center, then option 4 for the Substitute Help Desk. For more information, visit Memphis City Schools Substitute Teachers Career Information page or download the Substitute One-Pager for a detailed overview of the substitute application process.

Q: I applied in previous years, do I have to reapply?

Yes. Teach Memphis recently updated its online application with an eye toward identifying the strongest candidates to raise student achievement.  Therefore, we require that all applicants re-apply.  The only exception to this rule are teachers who were in the Teach Memphis Candidate Pool the previous year (2011-12), who will be moved to the 2012-13 pool and eligible to interview with principals.

Q: I was admitted into the Teach Memphis Candidate Pool.  Does this mean I am guaranteed a job?

No.  Becoming part of the Teach Memphis Candidate Pool is the first step in becoming a teacher with Memphis City Schools.  Ultimately, school principals and hiring teams make the decision about which teachers are the best fit for their schools.  We work to build and cultivate a large pool of candidates so that principals have their pick of the best talent to raise student achievement in their schools.  There are typically more teachers in the pool than there are positions, so be sure to put your best foot forward when interviewing with schools. Additionally, we have the right to remove you from the pool if you do not meet professional expectations during the hiring process.

Q: I am interested in mid-year vacancies for the 2011-12 school year.  How do I apply?

You should complete the application on this site by clicking the How to Apply tab at the top of this page.  If accepted into the Teach Memphis Candidate Pool, you will then have the opportunity to be considered for mid-year vacancies with Memphis City Schools.

Q: I am no longer interested in positions with Memphis City Schools.  What do I need to do?

You may withdraw your application at any time.  To do this, please login to your application and select the “Withdraw Application” tab at the top of the application home screen.  You will then be given the option to receive or decline future communications from Teach Memphis.  

Q: How long will it take for me to hear something once I submit my application?

Our goal is to get back to candidates regarding their eligibility within two weeks.

Q: What is the process for applying?

The general process for applying for a classroom position is simple:

1. Click on the How to Apply button at the top of the page to start your online application by creating an account (new applicant) or click on the Login account to login with the email address and password you used during the previous application year (returning applicant).

2. Answer the Eligibility Questionnaire—a series of questions that will determine if you are applying as a transfer teacher, as a teacher for an instructional position or as a Career Technology Education teacher.

3. We will determine your eligibility to teach based on the information you provide in the application and review your essay response questions as an initial qualitative screen for your ability to be an effective teacher.

4. If deemed eligible and you provide strong answers to your essays, you will be invited to interview with a member of the Teach Memphis staff.

5. Strong candidates will go through a final file review and if eligible, be admitted to the Teach Memphis Candidate Pool and will be eligible to interview with principals.

6. If recommended for a position with a principal, we will collect any outstanding required documentation and submit your file for final approval.

Q: I have questions about the voluntary transfer process.

If you are a current teacher with Memphis City Schools and have questions about the voluntary transfer process, please click HERE.

Q: I have questions about becoming a teacher.

If you are interested in becoming a teacher, we have a separate FAQ section just for you.  You can find these FAQ's by clicking HERE.

Q: I have questions about applying as a certified teacher.

If you are currently certified to teach, we have a separate FAQ section that may answer some of your unique questions.  You can find these FAQ's by clicking HERE.

Q: Why can’t I apply directly to schools for a position?

Because of the number of applicants applying to the system each year, and in order to ensure that all applicants are pre-screened for eligibility, certification and quality, Memphis City Schools requires that applicants submit an application to the Office of Strategic Teacher Recruitment and Staffing through the Teach Memphis website. STARS pre-screens applicants and reviews applications to admit them into the Teach Memphis Candidate Pool. Our Staffing Team then works with principals and applicants to identify the best candidates for openings at individual schools, ensuring strong and lasting matches that offer the best chance for improving student achievement. Applicants are not eligible to be hired for positions until they are placed into the Teach Memphis Candidate Pool.

Q: After I am deemed eligible, what do I need to do?

Depending on your application type, you will be notified via email of your eligibility and next steps.

Q: What documentation is required for me to teach?

Documentation varies depending on if you are a fully certified teacher, an alternate route teacher or a Career and Technology Education teacher or if you formerly taught in a different state.  Click the links below to see the required documentation for each category of teacher:

• Certified in-state
• Certified out-of-state
• Alternate Route (includes partner programs such as TFA, MTR and MTR)
• Career and Technology Education/OLE (Other Licensed Employee applicants)

Q: In terms of salary steps, how many years of previous experience does MCS accept?

Memphis City Schools will accept up to 10 years of previous experience from other school districts.

Q: How will I know the status of my application?

Teach Memphis corresponds almost exclusively with applicants via email. Once your application status changes, you will receive an email from info@teachmemphis.org and the information in your application status viewer will also provide information on your application. Please be sure to add info@teachmemphis.org to your email contacts/address book to ensure proper message delivery to your inbox.

Q: What is eligibility review?

Oftentimes, applications need additional reviews by other parties.  This might delay the processing of your application for a week.  If you find yourself in this position, we will contact you if we need further information from you.

Q: I am a former MCS employee.  Do I need to resubmit my transcripts, test scores and other documents?

If you indicate that you are a former MCS employee in your application, we will request a copy of your documents from Human Resources.  However, this can delay your application process and, in rare cases, your documents may not be available to our office.  We advise all former MCS employees who are re-applying to order test scores, transcripts and other qualifying documents when they submit the application to ensure that there is no delay in processing. 

Q: Does Memphis City Schools have a minimum GPA requirement?

You must have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75 to teach elementary school. If you are an Alternate Route, middle school or secondary subjects teacher, you must have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.5. MCS has a strict GPA policy, and your GPA will be verified through your official transcripts, which must be submitted to our office before you can be hired. Please report your cumulative undergraduate GPA accurately.  Misreporting could result in your not being approved to teach, even if a principal recommends you for a position.  

Q: Where can I find current vacancies?

Vacancies will only be released once we begin external hiring, and exact dates are not yet confirmed.  Our school district conducts an internal transfer process that must be complete prior to beginning external hiring.  We expect the majority of our limited hiring will take place during July and August.  

Q: I am an out-of-state applicant.  What do I need to do to get my Tennessee teachers’ license?

Teachers who hold certification in another state must apply for an Out-of-State Tennessee teaching license with the Tennessee Department of Education. Click here to read about the process and download the necessary application forms.  Please note that the process for getting your Out-of-State license can take several months.  You are encouraged to apply for this license as soon as possible (preferably two months before the peak hiring season begins in the spring) so that you are eligible to interview for positions in the late spring and early summer. 

You must be highly qualified to teach in Tennessee in your subject area.  There are two methods for becoming highly qualified in Tennessee: passing subject-area Praxis II Content Knowledge test scores or a letter from your state department of education or previous school district stating that you are highly qualified in your subject area.

Memphis City Schools will not submit your application for an Out-of-State Tennessee Teaching License. Please submit your application prior to applying to Memphis City Schools and keep a copy of your application to submit to MCS while you await your approval from the state.

Q: What subject areas can I teach on a Transitional License?

Memphis City Schools accepts alternative route applicants primarily in high-need or specialized subject areas.  Click here to see the list of subject areas and requirements.  MCS does not accept alternate route candidates for elementary or early childhood teaching positions (foreign language and special education are exceptions) and other low-need subject areas for which we have a robust pool of certified candidates.  Decisions about those subject areas are made based on the number of vacancies and the number of qualified certified applicants.

Q: Who can view vacancies once they are available?

Only applicants who have been approved for our candidate pool will have access to view vacancies through the application system.

Q: How do I know if I’m in the Teach Memphis Candidate Pool?

You will receive notification from the STARS office via email.

Q: What is the “Vacancy Search” tab and why can’t I see it?

For those in our candidate pool, the "Vacancy Search" tab will be added to the application home screen once we begin external hiring (exact dates not yet confirmed).  You will not be able to search for vacancies until we begin the external hiring process.

Q: What happens after I enter the Teach Memphis Candidate Pool?

We believe it is important to make good matches between principals and teachers. Principals primarily select the candidates that they wish to teach at their schools. Based on the subject area that you are qualified to teach and number of vacancies available in that subject area, our Staffing team will work to provide you with opportunities to interview with principals. Throughout the year, we will also host various hiring and networking events. To participate in these scheduled events, you will receive invitation through email to attend, based on your subject expertise.

Potential interview opportunities include:

• Referrals made by the STARS Staffing Team to school principals—Staffing Team members will contact you via email or phone
• Large-scale networking events hosted by schools
• Subject-specific networking sessions and job fairs
• Direct interview scheduling done by principals using candidate information, such as your resume and application

Please note: There are a number of factors that affect the availability of vacancy information, such as the timing of teacher retirements, previously unannounced resignations and certification issues. We will be in ongoing communication with the Teach Memphis Candidate Pool to provide you with status updates and other pertinent information throughout the hiring season.  External hiring for most positions does not occur until the late winter or spring, so please be patient with the process as we work to find the best possible school site for you.

Q: How can I find out what positions are currently open in my subject area?

Our Staffing team monitors the vacancies very closely and works with principals and candidates to facilitate subject-area matches, either by contacting candidates directly or by having principals or school hiring representatives contact candidates to arrange interviews.  We also conduct networking and interviewing events throughout the summer.  When these events are scheduled, we will contact Teach Memphis Candidate Pool applicants via email to alert them of the networking opportunity and to ask them to register.  We have recently updated our technology to enable us to post vacancies searchable by candidates in the Teach Memphis Candidate Pool.  

Q: What happens after I sign a recommendation form with a school?

After being placed into the Teach Memphis Candidate Pool and interviewing with principals, you may be offered a position by a principal or other authorized hiring representative.  If you accept the offer, you will sign a staffing recommendation form.  Once you sign a recommendation form, you may not interview with other schools.  We encourage you to take all job offers seriously.  If you are uncertain about a job offer from a school, please do not sign the recommendation form, and request that you be given additional time to consider the offer.  However, the principal may fill the vacancy with another candidate.  If you do sign a recommendation form, we will submit your file for on-boarding with Memphis City Schools.  Please note that MCS Human Resources will issue your official contract.  You are not to report to work if you have not attended an orientation session with MCS Human Resources.  You will receive a call and an official offer of employment via email that includes your assignment, orientation date and other important information.  You are not an employee of MCS, nor will you receive pay or benefits until you attend orientation.

Q: I’m a certified counselor or a library media specialist, which application do I submit?

You should submit the certified teacher application. New applicants and returning applicants should follow these instructions to select the certified teacher application:

1. Click the Eligibility Questionnaire tab inside your Applicant Portal.
2. For the first question, 'Are you a current Memphis City Schools employee either seeking a transfer or were recently surplussed?', choose 'No' in the available drop down menu.
3. When answering the second question, 'Are you applying for a position as:', select the 'An instructional teaching position (K-12 classroom teacher, inclusion teacher, librarian, guidance counselor)' option.
4. Click the 'Save' button to save your responses.