Frequently Asked Questions

Eligibility
Application
What's Next?
Living in Memphis
Teacher Certification

Eligibility

What if I don’t have a 2.5 GPA?
You must have a 2.5 GPA to teach with Memphis City Schools. We will not consider applicants with less than a 2.5 cumulative GPA.

What if I haven’t completed an undergraduate degree yet?
All applicants must have at least a Bachelor’s degree at the time of employment. If you will be graduating in May or August, we encourage you to complete the online application and note your date of graduation on your application.

What if I’m not licensed?
All MCS teachers must have either a full license or QUALIFY for an transitional license, and meet No Child Left Behind “highly qualified” standards. In many low-need subjects such as Early Childhood and Elementary Education, transitional licenses are only applied for on an as needed basis. In high-need subjects, applicants must meet the requirements for transitional licensure in Tennessee. MCS will not consider applicants on permits or Interim-B licenses. Please explore “New To Teaching” page for detailed information about obtaining a teaching license.

Does MCS sponsor international teachers?
To be eligible for a teaching position, candidates must be a United States citizen or be an established permanent resident.

Application

What if I applied last year?
YOU WILL NEED TO SUBMIT A NEW ONLINE APPLICATION TO BE CONSIDERED FOR POSITIONS FOR THE 2010-2011 SCHOOL YEAR - NO EXCEPTIONS. Memphis City Schools launched a new application and screening process for teacher candidates applying for jobs for the 2010-2011 school year. 
 

What if I have trouble completing the online application?
Please make sure you have filled out all of the required fields on the application, which will be marked with an asterisk. If there is a problem with a particular field, instructions will appear in blue at the top of the page that you are attempting to complete. If you are still having problems, please contact us at info@teachmemphis.org.

What if I don’t have my resume in the right format?
Your resume MUST be in either Microsoft Word (.doc) or Adobe (.pdf) format. We do not accept resumes in Microsoft Works, Rich-Text (.rtf) or Word Perfect format.

What if I need to make changes to my application after it has been submitted?
You can make changes to your contact information by logging back into your application using the same e-mail address and password provided when you originally applied.  If you enter information incorrectly or if other information changes, please contact us at info@teachmemphis.org.

What’s Next?

What happens after I submit my application?

Your application will be reviewed for eligibility to teach in Memphis City Schools. If you are found eligible, you will asked to submit additional materials to evaluate your potential as a highly effective teacher. Promising candidates will be asked to interview with the Office of Strategic Recruitment and Staffing (certified teachers will be interviewed by phone, and alternate route teachers will be invited to an in-person interview event). The interview events will be the final step in determining whether you will be recommended into the new teacher pool.

How do I know what my status is?
You may check on the status of your application at any time by logging into the applicant portal at www.teachmemphis.org and clicking on the maroon "Status Viewer" tab. You should receive email notification when your application status changes.  Make sure you add info@teachmemphis.org to your contacts to ensure proper delivery of emails from Teach Memphis.

What if I don’t submit the required documentation in time?
You must submit the required documentation in the time allotted to be moved to the new teacher pool. If you do not, you will not be considered to enter the new teacher pool.

What if it’s been two weeks since I submitted my application and I haven’t heard back from MCS yet?
First, please make sure you submitted your application. When you log into your application and click on the maroon "Status Viewer" tab, you should be able to see your current status.  If it does not show that your application has been submitted, or you did not receive an e-mail from MCS within 24 hours after submission providing you with a confirmation number, you did not submit your application. Please log back into your application and make sure to hit “submit” on the last page of the application. If you are certain that you submitted your application more than three weeks ago, please contact us at info@teachmemphis.org. You should receive email notification when your application status changes.  Make sure you add info@teachmemphis.org to your contacts to ensure proper delivery of emails from Teach Memphis.

What if I’ve been invited to attend an interview day and I can’t make it?
If you have already signed up for an interview time or event, you may cancel your interview online by logging into the “Sign Up For an Event” section. Please also email us at info@teachmemphis.org. We understand that unexpected events occur.  We allow applicants to sign up for interview slots and events a second time.  However, if you miss your second appointment, we will withdraw your name from the applicant pool.

What are the next steps after a principal has recommended me for hire?
You should expect to be contacted by the Office of Strategic Teacher Recruitment and Staffing within one week after your principal recommendation. If you have not heard from a member of our team within one week of recommendation, please email us at staffing@teachmemphis.org. The staffing manager for the school that recommended you will be able to assist you.

What if I’m in the new teacher pool but take a job elsewhere?
Please withdraw your application by logging into the applicant portal at www.teachmemphis.org and clicking on the maroon "Withdraw Application" at the top.  You may reinstate a withdrawn application at a later time by contacting the Office of Strategic Teacher Recruitment and Staffing.

What if I successfully completed my initial interview last year?
You must resubmit your application for consideration. 

Can you return my documents if I choose not to pursue employment with MCS?
No. Once materials are submitted, they become property of MCS and cannot be returned.

Living In Memphis

Do you need to live in Memphis to teach in Memphis?
No. Memphis City Schools does not have a housing requirement or require teachers to live within the city limits.

Does Memphis City Schools offer relocation assistance?
No. MCS does not provide housing or relocation assistance.

Teacher Certification

Does MCS honor candidates with teaching certificates from outside of Memphis?
If you have an out-of-state teaching license, you must check with the Tennessee Department of Education to make sure that your license will be recognized in Tennessee. Although Tennessee has reciprocity with all other states, it does not always mean that your license will automatically transfer to Tennessee.

My teaching certificate has expired. Am I still eligible to teach in MCS?
If your teaching license has expired, please contact the Tennessee Department of Education for information about renewing your license at 615-532-4885. All candidates must have a valid license to be considered for a position.

What’s the difference between a license, endorsement and being highly qualified?
In Tennessee, teachers are considered “highly qualified” if they have demonstrated their content knowledge by completing a degree program in the area in which they will be teaching or have taken and passed the required PRAXIS exams.  Veteran teachers can also demonstrate their HQ status through continuing education and using the H.O.U.S.S.E. point system.  If you have taken PRAXIS exams but have not completed a licensure program, you are highly qualified but not licensed. 

In most cases, the PRAXIS tests required for licensure in Tennessee are also those required to be considered HQ.  However, as in the case of K-8 licenses and middle grades, you may be licensed in K-8 in but not highly qualified in the K-8 area.  This is also true of many professional Tennessee licenses.  Without completing continuing education courses or PRAXIS exams, your Professional license may not be considered highly qualified.

 

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