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 and the processes and documentation required. Once you have familiarized yourself with the process, click the apply button at the top of the page to begin your application. You will answer a series of questions to determine which application is right for you (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 someone in HR or a principal), why do I have to re-apply?

On January 4, 2010, as part of Memphis City Schools Teacher Effectiveness Initiative, the district launched a brand new application process and tracking system that will help to ensure that the district identifies and hires the best teacher talent to teach in Memphis City Schools. Therefore, anyone who submitted an application prior to that date must re-apply so that they are held to the same high standards as other teachers applying to work in the district for the upcoming school year.

Q: I have been “selected-in,” what does that mean?

Selected-in is a status in the application process that means you have met the quality standards for becoming a teacher with Memphis City Schools, however, you have not yet been admitted to the New Teacher Pool pending final approval of your application.  Final approval involves collection of official documents such as transcripts or Praxis test scores or other proof of highly qualified status as well as a final review by the district to ensure you meet state requirements to teach in the classroom.  You will be placed into the New Teacher Pool if all of your documents are submitted and approved.  At that time, you may begin to interview for positions.

Q: What happened to the documents I submitted before the changes? Will I have to resend?

If you submitted documents previously, we should have them on file. However, because of the transition of hiring processes to the STARS office from HR, it is possible that your documents may not be readily available and you may be asked to re-order or resend your documentation. We will be sure to do the best we can to locate your previous documents.

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 901.416.5469.

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 one week. Depending on your application type, you will either be asked to submit a teacher profile (certified teachers) or attend a daylong interview event (alternate route applicants). We work to process each step of the application process within one weekof submission throughout the hiring process.  Previous Memphis City Schools employees (including interim teachers) must be approved by Human Resources before returning to work in the district.  This process can sometimes take longer than the turnaround goal of one week. 

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: 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 hold?

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 start they submit the application to ensure that there is no delay in processing. 

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 New Teacher Pool and works with principals and hiring teams as well as applicants to identify the best candidates for openings at individual schools to ensure 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 New Teacher Pool.

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

If you are a fully certified teacher from another state, you will need to apply to the Tennessee Department of Education for an out-of-state license.  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 HQ in Tennessee: passing subject-area Praxis II scores or a letter from your state department of education or previous school district stating that you are highly qualified in your subject area.

Q: How do I know if I’m in the New Teacher Pool?

After you have submitted all of the appropriate documentation, you will receive notification from the STARS office via email.

Q: What happens after I enter the New Teacher 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. Numerous opportunities to interview with different principals will be made available to you throughout the hiring season. For scheduled events, you will be specifically invited to attend and participate based on your subject expertise. The STARS Staffing Team and individual principals may also contact you individually to schedule interviews.

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 New Teacher Pool candidates to provide you with status updates and other pertinent information throughout the summer. 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 New Teacher Pool applicants via email to alert them of the networking opportunity and to ask them to register.  You may also contact schools you are interested in directly to inquire about any available vacancies.

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

After  being placed into the New Teacher 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 an 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 onboarding with Memphis City Schools.  Please note that you are not to report to work if you have not been onboarded by 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 receive this call/email from HR.

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

You should submit the certified teacher application.