Q: I want to teach for the unified Shelby County Schools district. How do I get started?

Teach Memphis accepts applications for all instructional classroom positions, guidance counselor and library media specialist positions for Shelby County Schools. To begin, please review the information found on this website about the different ways you may become a teacher with Shelby County Schools. When you are ready to start the application process, you should click the 'Apply' button found on the Teach Memphis website. Once you are directed to the Applicant Login page you must create a new account to begin the application.

Q: When I click “Apply,” I’m directed to the MCS/SCS Applicant Login page. Is this right?

Yes, that is the correct application. When directed to the Memphis City/Shelby County Schools Applicant Login page, you will be able to create a new account. After creating your account, you will then be able to log in and out of your account to access and complete your application.

Q: What are the minimum eligibility requirements for teaching with Shelby County Schools?

Candidates to the unified district must meet the following requirements:

• Have a valid Tennessee teaching license or a reciprocal teaching certificate from another state. If you do not have a license, you must be eligible for a Tennessee Transitional license by meeting the qualifications listed HERE.
• Have a Bachelor’s degree or higher. 
• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• Pass a criminal background check.

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 Teach For America, Memphis Teacher Residency and Memphis Teaching Fellows)
• Career and Technology Education/OLE (Other Licensed Employee applicants)

Q: I applied to MCS and/or SCS in previous years; do I have to reapply for the unified district?

Yes. In preparation for the merger of Memphis City Schools and Shelby County Schools, we recently updated our online application with an eye toward identifying the strongest candidates to raise student achievement. All applicants are required to re-apply for positions in the unified district using the new application. To re-apply, please click on the “Apply” link on the Teach Memphis website. You will then be directed to the Memphis City Schools Applicant login page. You must create a new account to begin the application process. After creating your account, you will then be able to log in and out of your account to access and complete your new application. 

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 and application status within one week. Please click HERE for more information about the application process.

Q: When will I be able to view and apply for 2013-2014 teaching positions?

Available positions for the 2013-2014 school year will begin posting in late March. The first positions that are posted will be located at schools that are part of the iZone. Click HERE for more information about the iZone schools. Note: Only applicants who have been approved for the teacher candidate pool will be eligible to interview for and accept available positions.

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 Shelby County 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: 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: I am interested in Career & Technology Education positions; how do I apply?

You should submit a certified teacher application. To create a new application, please click the 'Apply' button in the navigation bar. When you apply, 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: I have questions about the voluntary transfer process.

If you are a current teacher with Memphis City Schools or Shelby County 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 but do not currently hold a teaching license, 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: In terms of salary steps, how many years of previous experience does the unified district accept?

Teacher compensation and benefits for the unified district have not yet been addressed by the Shelby County Board of Education.

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. 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 or SCS employee.  Do I need to resubmit transcripts and other documents?

Former MCS or SCS employees reapplying for employment with the unified district will be asked to upload copies of their transcripts and proof of Highly Qualified status to the new application. We advise all former 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 your application process. 

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.

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

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

Shelby County Schools accepts alternative route applicants primarily in high-need or specialized subject areas. SCS 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?

All applicants who have completed the Shelby County Schools application are able to view and indicate interest in positions. However, principals will only be able to see and review the applications of those applicants who are members of the Teacher Candidate Pool. 

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 happens after I sign a recommendation form with a school?

If a principal offers you a position at a school, you will receive an electronic recommendation form, which you can access in the "My HR Docs" tab of your application. You must elecronically sign and submit the recommendation form to accept the position. After signing the recommendation form, you will need to submit your official transcripts to the Teach Memphis office so that your on-boarding to the district will be finalized. After we receive your transcripts, your file will be sent to Human Resources for final review and processing. You will then 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.