Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

TEACHING IN OAKLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS
What is a typical class size?
How long does a typical day of teaching last?
What opportunities are available to teach over the summer?
How is the Oakland Unified School District structured?
I am interested in teaching special education but nervous about that type of job. What does it really mean to teach special education?
How long is this commitment?
What happens after I earn my credential?
What is the role of the principal within the schools?
How safe are the schools?
Why should I become part of Oakland Teaching Fellows?

CERTIFICATION
Will I receive state certification?
What exams will I need to take?
Can't I receive a waiver for exemption from the science or math CSET, based on undergraduate coursework?

What is the amount of my AmeriCorps award?

QUALIFICATIONS
What type of person is a good candidate for the Oakland Teaching Fellows program?
Am I eligible if I have no previous teaching experience or prior coursework in education?
How do I know if I am eligible for the Oakland Teaching Fellows?
Are individuals who have worked as substitute teachers in OUSD eligible for the program?
Why aren't certified teachers eligible to apply, and what should they do to start teaching in Oakland Unified?
What if I don't have a 2.75 GPA?
Do I need to be a resident of Oakland to apply?
I have been an engineer for eight years and want to teach science. Am I exempt from subject-matter examination requirements?

APPLICATION PROCESS
How do I apply to become a Teaching Fellow?
How long should my responses to the Application Questions be?
What should I include in my resume?
Can I include letters of recommendation with my application?
Do I need to send transcripts with my application?
What happens after I submit my application?
What happens during an interview event?
When and where do interviews take place?
What is the application deadline?
How can I get more information about the Teaching Fellows program?

ADMISSION & ENROLLMENT
I wasn't accepted. Can I appeal the decision on my application?
Can I defer acceptance into the program?
Can I re-apply to the program next year if I am not accepted?
I meet all of the Teaching Fellows' eligibility requirements. Why wasn't I accepted?
I wasn't accepted.  What else can I do? How else can I pursue a teaching career?
I took the CBEST and CSET already, but I wasn't accepted into the Teaching Fellows program. Will I be reimbursed?
Can I appeal my subject area assignment?
Do I need to be a resident of the city of Oakland to apply?

YOUR TEACHING POSITION
What will I teach?
How do I know what I am qualified to teach?
Where will I be teaching?
How does the process of securing a teaching placement work?
Can I choose where I will teach?
When do I find out where I will be teaching?
Can I change my teaching assignment after I have started teaching?
Will I be teaching with other Fellows at my school?

How will I stay connected to other Fellows in the program?

TRAINING & ONGOING NETWORK
Once I become a Fellow, how will I be prepared for the classroom?
How intensive is the training?
How long is summer training?
What kind of support is provided to Teaching Fellows?

COMPENSATION / BENEFITS
What is the starting salary for Oakland Teaching Fellows?
What employment benefits do Fellows receive?
Will I be paid over the summer?

What resources can I access to help fund the cost of earning my teaching credential?

TEACHING IN OAKLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS

1. What is a typical class size?
Typical elementary school classes range from 20 to 35 students; middle and high school classes generally range from 30 to 40 students.
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2. How long does a typical day of teaching last?

Schools days are typically about seven hours long. An example of a typical schedule runs from 8:25 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. or 7:55 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., but there is some variation among schools. Teachers also spend time outside the classroom preparing lessons and grading schoolwork. Fellows will attend credentialing classes, professional development, sessions and faculty meetings after school hours. A teacher's first year is incredibly intense, regardless of his or her background or preparation. Fellows should be prepared to work long hours.
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3. What opportunities are available to teach over the summer?
Many teachers elect to teach summer school, although the number of positions is limited.
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4. How is the Oakland Unified School District structured?
The Oakland Unified School District is a unified district because it encompasses all of the public schools in the city, grades K-12, as well as certain programs for older and younger individuals. Our public schools educate a diverse population of around 41,500 students each year, in approximately 110 schools located throughout the city.   For more information, please visit the OUSD website.
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5. I am interested in teaching special education but nervous about that kind of job. What does it really mean to teach special education?
The best way to get a sense of what it means to teach in a special education class is to talk to a teacher or visit a classroom. Individuals with limited or no previous experience with special education are encouraged to connect to an Oakland Classroom and special education teacher through this website. Applicants should also familiarize themselves with the basic information available in the Special Education section of the website.  More training on supporting students with special needs will be available during the OTF Training Institute and through the Fellow’s credentialing program.
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6. How long is this commitment?
We hope that Fellows will commit to educational change for a lifetime. The ambitious goal of the Oakland Teaching Fellows is to build a cadre of Oakland teachers who are passionate about educational equity and ready to work actively to achieve results in Oakland classrooms on a daily basis alongside current OUSD teachers with the same focus. The bulk of events and information coordinated by the Fellows office is directed to teachers in their first year. Fellows receive their credential after two consecutive years of teaching, assuming they complete coursework on time and are in good standing with the District. We expect all Teaching Fellow candidates to teach for a minimum of three years. We also hope that outstanding individuals who enter the teaching profession through the Fellows program will continue their careers as educators in Oakland, fulfilling our shared mission of closing the achievement gap, for many years to come.

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7. What happens after I earn my credential?
It generally takes approximately two years to complete the Preliminary Teaching Credential. During and after that time, you will be a regular teacher with all of the rights and responsibilities of any other Oakland Unified school teacher. After completing your Preliminary Credential, you will continue to play a vital role in the lives and communities of Oakland's students and are required to enter OUSD's Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment (BTSA) program to support teachers working toward a Clear Credential. The Clear Credential offers a more permanent status, renewable every five years. We expect that Fellows will complete this process and make a long-term commitment to the city's students and schools. As many experts believe that teachers need at least five years of experience to grow into their full potential as educators, we hope that all Fellows will commit to educational change for a lifetime.
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8. What is the role of the principal within a school?
The primary role of the principal is to serve as the instructional and organizational leader of the school. In addition, (s)he is your supervisor and is responsible for evaluating you and all other teachers in the school.
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9. How safe are the schools?
We believe that our schools are safe. We encourage concerned candidates to visit the areas in which they may teach during a regular school day to determine their own level of comfort with the environment.  As is true in any city, community members should take basic safety precautions and use common sense to avoid situations such as walking alone after dark or in unfamiliar areas.
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10. Why should I become part of Oakland Teaching Fellows?
Your knowledge and experience can help ensure that every child in the Oakland Unified School District has access to a high quality education. By joining OTF you will have the opportunity to become part of a movement that has a direct and immediate impact on the lives of students in our city. As a teacher, you can be the single most important factor in raising student achievement. As a Teaching Fellow, you will join a network of like-minded professionals dedicated to improving public schools.

This is your opportunity to take action.

For more information on benefits and reasons to apply, click here.

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CERTIFICATION

1. Will I receive state certification?
All candidates who are accepted into the Oakland Teaching Fellows must also meet all requirements for and be accepted into an Intern Credential Program with an OUSD-approved credentialing program. Once a Fellow is accepted into an Intern program, the university will apply for an Intern Teaching Credential, on behalf of the Fellow, from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.  All Fellows must be enrolled in their programs by the end of Training Institute this summer. The Intern certificate is valid for two years so long as you maintain good standing as a Fellow. Assuming that all coursework and other requirements, as explained by your credential program, are completed on time, Fellows may be eligible for a Preliminary Teaching Credential by the end of their second year of teaching. The Preliminary Credential is valid for five years.

Teachers with their Preliminary Credential participate in OUSD’s Induction Program, which provides support for teachers working to earn their Clear Credential. Upon completion of several additional requirements, including additional coursework, Fellows will be eligible to apply for a Clear Credential, which is renewable every five years. For more information and relevant websites, click here.

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2. What exams will I need to take?
Admission to Oakland Teaching Fellows is contingent upon meeting both a basic skills requirement as well as a subject area requirement. Passage of the CBEST (California Basic Education Skills Test) or passage of the Multiple Subject CSET plus the Writing Skills examination, meets the basic skills requirement, while passage of the CSET (California Subject Examination for Teachers) qualifies individuals to teach in a particular subject area.  In order to be fully admitted as an Oakland Teaching Fellow, you must receive your passing scores for the CSET prior to the start of the OTF Training Institute in mid-June . Fellows are responsible for all costs associated with taking these required exams. Fellows should carefully review the dates and schedules provided on this website and in related links.

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3. Can't I receive a waiver for exemption from the science or math CSET based on undergraduate coursework?
The Fellows program strongly encourages all applicants to register for the CSET right away and study for the exam. Although credentialing programs do offer waivers for the exam based on undergraduate coursework, exemptions are the exception. In the past, many math and science majors, including graduate students and professionals with extensive coursework in their subject areas, have not qualified for exemptions from the CSET. The requirements for exemptions are extremely specific, and we therefore recommend that all candidates register for and take the CSET as soon as possible. We urge candidates not to risk their eligibility for the program by not taking and passing the CSET immediately.

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4. What is the amount of my AmeriCorps award?
The amount of your award is $4,725 disbursed in the form of an educational voucher upon completion of your first year teaching- assuming that you have completed all required paperwork. You can divide up your award and use it any way you choose, provided it is for authorized expenditures. You could, for example, apply a portion of it to an existing qualified student loan and use the remainder to pay for authorized higher education expenses, such as your credential.

The awards are provided from a special account in the United States Treasury called the National Service Trust. This Trust is managed by the Corporation for National Service, which is the parent organization for the AmeriCorps programs. Education awards are subject to income taxes in the year they are used.

More information will be provided to Fellows after their acceptance and enrollment.

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QUALIFICATIONS

1. What type of person is a good candidate for the Oakland Teaching Fellows program?
There is no one profile for an ideal Teaching Fellows candidate; Fellows come from a wide range of backgrounds and bring to the program a diverse set of talents and skills. Strong candidates are those who are committed to having a positive effect on student achievement, who display excellence in their previous endeavors, and who are dedicated to reaching and influencing students—especially those in under-resourced areas—on a daily basis. We are looking for candidates who will make a lasting commitment to OUSD, the students, and the community.

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2 . Am I eligible if I have no previous teaching experience or prior coursework in education?
Yes. Individuals without prior teaching experience or coursework in education are eligible for the program and encouraged to apply. The Fellows program is specifically designed to attract high-quality applicants from diverse, non-education backgrounds into the teaching profession. Credentialed teachers and interns should apply to teach in OUSD through Oakland City Teacher Corps.
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3 . How do I know if I am eligible for the Oakland Teaching Fellows program?
Applicants to the Fellows program should review the strict requirements laid out on the website, to check if they meet Eligibility for Oakland Teaching Fellows.
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4. Are individuals who have worked as substitute teachers in OUSD eligible for the program?
Anyone who has worked as a full-time, credentialed teacher in the Oakland Unified School District at any time since September 2002 is not eligible for this program. Individuals who hold or have worked under occasional per diem (day-to-day substitute) certification are eligible to apply. Individuals who hold a teaching credential/license are encouraged to apply to teach in OUSD through Oakland City Teacher Corps, a route for highly-qualified teachers to begin teaching in Oakland's public schools.

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5. Why aren't certified teachers eligible to apply, and what should they do to start teaching in Oakland Unified?
Oakland Teaching Fellows is specifically designed to recruit, select and train individuals who have had no education coursework or experience. There are other paths to employment with the Oakland Unified School District for certified teachers and individuals who have completed teacher education programs. For more information on employment in Oakland for certified teachers, visit the Oakland City Teacher Corps

website to learn more about this route for highly-qualified teachers to begin teaching and making a difference in OUSD.
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6. What if I don't have a 2.75 GPA?
The GPA requirement of 2.75 recognizes the challenging nature of many undergraduate programs of study, and the Fellows program acknowledges that GPA is one factor among many in judging an applicant. However, exceptions to the GPA requirement are made only in rare cases. GPA must be verified by official university transcripts.

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7. Do I need to be a resident of Oakland to apply?
No.  This program is open to all qualified, determined candidates with the skill and ambition to make a difference in the lives of students who live in Oakland.
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 8. I have been an engineer for eight years and want to teach science. Am I exempt from subject-matter examination requirements?
Eligibility is based on undergraduate coursework or the passage of the CSET exam. To be exempt from the CSET, you must obtain a waiver from a university Intern Credential Program verifying your acceptance into the program based on coursework alone; even many professionals and students with years of experience in their field may not qualify for an exemption due to the specificity of subject matter requirements. The Oakland Teaching Fellows program cannot assist individual applicants in the process of obtaining a waiver; fulfilling requirements to be eligible to teach in a specific position is the responsibility of individual Fellows.

More information about subject eligibility based on coursework is available on the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing website.

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APPLICATION PROCESS

1. How do I apply to become a Teaching Fellow?
An application consists of a complete online application form, a resume, and a short essay response. Visit the Application Process section of the website for details. Click here to apply now.
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2. How long should my responses to the Application Questions be?
Your responses to the Application Questions should consist of three answers each containing 200-400 words. It may be helpful to keep in mind that applicants are offered interviews on the basis of their application, resume, and Application Question responses.  It is therefore in your best interest to put some time and effort into your responses, make it specific to your experience and personal strengths, and avoid general statements about teaching as a whole.

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3. What should I include in my resume?
Your resume should provide details about your education and professional experience, highlighting those jobs, activities, and awards that display your excellence and reflect achievements and concrete results.
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4. Can I include letters of recommendation with my application?
No. Because of the sheer number of applications we receive, we are unable to consider documents or materials other than those required for a complete application (application form, resume, and Application Question responses). Materials that are not required will not be factored into the admission decision. However, we do ask for references on the application, which we may contact to receive further insight on our applicants.  If accepted into OTF, OUSD will require that Fellows submit three letters of recommendation to meet District pre-employment requirements.

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5. Do I need to send transcripts with my application?
No, please do not send transcripts before the interview event, if invited to interview. Although official transcripts are not required with the initial Oakland Teaching Fellows application, acceptance into the Teaching Fellows program is contingent upon our receipt of one official, sealed transcript from each institution attended.  If selected for an interview, candidates must bring at least one official transcript, showing the degree conferred date, from the undergraduate university attended to the interview.  If then accepted into the OTF, candidates will also submit additional official copies of transcripts to credential programs.

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6. What happens after I submit my application?
All applications are reviewed for completeness and eligibility. Those applicants who demonstrate potential for success as Fellows are invited to interview. (You will also be notified if you are not invited to interview). You should receive interview notification within two weeks of our receipt of your complete application by email or mail.

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7. What happens during an interview event?
Candidates will be placed in groups of up to ten, along with one to two Oakland Teaching Fellows interviewers. An interview event consists of both a group session and an individual interview. Each candidate will be asked to teach a five-minute lesson to the larger group, participate in a group discussion, write about a specific educational scenario, and engage in a one-on-one interview with a Fellows interviewer. More information about the interview event will be provided in advance to those invited to interview with the program.
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8. When and where do interviews take place?
All interviews are conducted in person in Oakland.  Most interview events are held on weekends, and candidates should plan to sign up for one of the scheduled interview events posted on this websites.  Click here to view scheduled interview dates.
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9. What is the application deadline?

To view application deadlines and to begin your online application, click here.

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 10. How can I get more information about the Teaching Fellows program?
We regularly hold information session and events for anyone interested in learning more about the program. Candidates can also send an email with specific questions.
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ADMISSION AND ENROLLMENT

 1. I wasn't accepted. Can I appeal the decision on my application?
No. All applications are thoroughly reviewed during our rigorous application process, and admissions decisions are final. Because the district receives an exceptional number of OTF applications each year, we are unable to re-evaluate individual applications or provide personalized feedback to applicants who have not been accepted into the program.
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2. Can I defer acceptance into the program?
Candidates may not defer acceptance into the 2008 Teaching Fellows program; however, they may re-apply to begin teaching in the fall of 2009.

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3. Can I re-apply to the program next year if I am not accepted?
Yes, but in order to be considered, you must be able to demonstrate improvements in your candidacy since your previous application. The process for applicants who are re-applying is no different than that for applicants applying for the first time. Because the needs of the school system change from year to year, even those applicants who were admitted to the program in a previous year and declined our offer of admission or withdrew from the program must re-apply to begin teaching the following year.

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4. I meet all of the Teaching Fellows' eligibility requirements. Why wasn't I accepted?
The Oakland Teaching Fellows is a highly selective program. Each year, we have many more qualified applicants than we have positions available in the program. Our eligibility requirements are only the minimum qualifications necessary to be considered for the program and meeting them in no way guarantees acceptance.
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5 . What else can I do? How else can I pursue a teaching career?
Visit the Oakland Unified website for information about other ways to make a difference in Oakland ’s public schools. You may wish to explore traditional routes to certification through area universities with credentialing programs and schools of education.
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6. I took the CBEST and CSET already, but I wasn't accepted to the Teaching Fellows program. Will I be reimbursed?
No. Unfortunately, applicants and Fellows must take these tests at their own expense.
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7. Can I appeal my subject area assignment?
No. Fellows accepted to begin teaching in the fall of 2008 may not appeal the subject areas they are assigned when they are offered a position with the Teaching Fellows. Your subject area is assigned carefully based upon the needs of the schools, your subject eligibility, and, when possible, your preferences. When candidates are admitted to OTF, they commit to a particular subject area.
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8. Do I need to be a resident of the City of Oakland to apply?
No. This program is open to all qualified, determined candidates with the skills and ambition to make a difference in the lives of students who live in Oakland .
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YOUR TEACHING POSITION

1. What will I teach?
Candidates for the Oakland Teaching Fellows program are accepted to teach specific subjects. The subject for which you are accepted to teach is based on the staffing needs of the schools, your eligibility, and your subject area preferences. Your eligibility is determined according to strict California Credentialing regulations. Fellows are needed to teach in the critical shortage areas in the District's most challenged schools - including math, science, special education, Spanish, bilingual education, and physical education. Limited assignments may be available in other high-need positions.  For more information, visit the section of our website that addresses Eligibility for the Oakland Teaching Fellows.

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2. How do I know what I am qualified to teach?
What you are qualified to teach generally depends on your ability to pass the state-mandated CSET content area exam. Generally speaking, to be able to pass the exam to teach math or science, candidates must have achieved a high level of content area knowledge through college-level coursework, the passage of an Advanced Placement exam, or other related professional experience. Candidates for Spanish and bilingual positions should have strong Spanigh language skills. To teach in a special education class, you need a bachelor’s degree and to have passed all of the subtests of the multiple-subject CSET plus the writing skills examination and/or the CBEST. No specific experience in special education is required. Please visit the page on Eligibility for further information.
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3. Where will I be teaching?
Fellows will teach in high-need schools-often with less resources and greater need for strong teachers-across the city of Oakland. Fellows do not teach in Oakland charter schools, as these are independently run.
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4. How does the placement process work?
Fellows find their specific teaching positions in OUSD through the placement process. Oakland Teaching Fellows will help facilitate opportunities to interview with principals - and sometimes district hiring personnel - for school-level jobs. Fellows may also be assigned to positions by school representatives. In some cases Fellows will generate their own leads as well.  More information will be provided to Fellows once accepted to the program.

It is the mission of the Oakland Teaching Fellows program to staff schools in high-need areas, and all candidates should be prepared to teach wherever they are most needed and can have the greatest impact on student achievement. Although candidates will have the opportunity to express their subject area and geographical preferences, school matches are driven primarily by school needs and by each Fellow’s eligibility. For this reason, Fellows should be prepared to be assigned to positons where their skills and experience can be best utilized. Fellows must be extremely flexible about their teaching positions.

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5. Can I choose where I will teach?
Some Felows will be selected for their position through an interview process, while others will be selected by school representatives. Fellows should be committed to teaching wherever they are needed and placed. For more information about where Fellows teach, click here.
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6. When will I find out where I will be teaching?
The placement process takes place throughout the summer and through the beginning of the school year. There are many variables involved in identifying and finalizing specific teaching assignments, so please keep in mind that the process can be quite time consuming. You will receive more information about this process if you are accepted into the Oakland Teaching Fellows program.
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7. Can I change my assignment after I have started teaching?
You are expected to teach at the school where you are originally hired and commit to positive change in your school.
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8. Will I be teaching with other Fellows at my school?

The Fellows program works with schools to cluster teachers in the same school or neighborhood wherever possible. However, assignments are due in large part to District needs and the location of un-staffed positions; for this reason, we ask Fellows to be extremely flexible about their teaching assignment.

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9. How will I stay connected to other Fellows in the program?

Oakland Teaching Fellows provides regular opportunities to attend professional development sessions designed specifically for Fellows in addition to Fellows-centered social gatherings throughout the year.  Most Fellows find that they build upon the professional network created within OTF from the start of Training Institute and continuing into the classroom. Additionally, Fellows' most important method of staying connected to each other and gaining valuable resources is by pro-actively reaching out to one another. Fellows are most successful when they identify their own needs and drive ongoing improvement by networking with other educators.

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TRAINING & ONGOING NETWORK

1. Once I become a Fellow, how will I prepare for the classroom?
Since Fellows are making a lasting commitment to increasing student achievement in Oakland, they are provided with specialized training in working in an Oakland high-needs school during the summer before they begin teaching. Fellows will complete an intensive six-week pre-service Training Institute which includes field work in an Oakland summer school classroom, Framework sessions focused on the practical aspects of teaching, coursework related to the foundation of strong teaching practices, and discussion groups to address issues faced by teachers in high-need schools. Attendance at all components of the Training Institute is mandatory.
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2. How intensive is training?
The OTF Training Institute concentrates a great deal of training into only a few weeks; thus, training is extremely demanding. Due to the critical role that training plays in the success of the Oakland Teaching Fellows program, Fellows cannot miss any portion of training. A typical day includes planned activies from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., in addition to Fellows' lesson preperation and other assignments to complete outside of the scheduled day.

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3. How long is training?
The Training Institute for Oakland Teaching Fellows is a full-time, six-week commitment over the summer.
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4. What kind of support is provided to Teaching Fellows?
Upon entering the program, the Fellows office assists with logistical support, such as helping Fellows manage the process of becoming full OUSD employees, provided that they meet pre-employment requirements.

As new teachers, Fellows often look to develop their most basic, ongoing support network at the school level. Although every situation is different, Fellows may collaborate with co-teachers at their school, a program specialist, instructional coaches, assistant principals, principals, or a grade- or subject-level team. The Oakland Teaching Fellows program office also coordinates access to professional development and networking opportunities throughout the year and the publication of a regular newsletter. School assignment and summer training events facilitate connections among Fellows who often teach the same subjects or are clustered together in particular schools or areas of the city. New Teaching Fellows can draw on these connections as a resource for planning, reflection, and shared encouragement as they strive for excellence in their individual classrooms.

Fellow also benefit from resources for District Interns provided by OUSD's New Teacher Support and Development (NTSD) program. NTSD matches Interns with coaches to provide resources and support and also offers a Teacher Resource Center with materials to use in the classroom.

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COMPENSATION / BENEFITS

1. What is the starting salary for the Oakland Teaching Fellows?
The starting salary and schedule for Fellows is the same as that for all teachers in Oakland Unified. For teachers with a Bachelor's degree and no other coursework or previous teaching experience, the starting salary for 2007-2008 is $39,456. Salary is scaled according to coursework and teaching experience in the Oakland Unified School District. Fellows with a master’s degree or previous teaching experience may be eligible to start higher on the pay scale. Click here to view the complete salary schedule .
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2. What employment benefits do Fellows receive?
Fellows are eligible for the same benefits as all other Oakland Unified teachers, including health insurance and a pension plan. For more information about benefits for teachers, please visit the benefits page on the OUSD website.
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3. Will I be paid over the summer? 
For the Training Institute, Fellows will be provided with a $2,000 pre-tax stipend prior to beginning teaching in the fall and contingent upon issuance of the Intern Credential. The stipend is distributed at the end of the summer pending compliance with all credentialing requirements. Participants go on the District payroll when they begin teaching.

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4. What resources can I access to help fund the cost of earning my teaching credential? 

All 2008 Fellows will receive the OTF AmeriCorps Education Award upon completion of their first year teaching, assuming successful completion and documentation of the award requirements during the school year. We suggest that you explore a wide range of options for financial assistance, including university-based, federal, and private grants; scholarships; and loans.  Fellows should be sure to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the published deadline, in order to qualify for financial aid.  We encourage Fellows to explore other options for financial assistance available through their credential programs. Fellows with Stafford, Perkins, and Eisenhower loans may be eligible for loan deferment or forgiveness. In the past Fellows have also applied for federal loan forgiveness programs that grant up to $17,500, dependent upon school placement, subject area, length of time teaching, and other requirements. For more information about federal loan forgiveness please click here.

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