Memphis Teaching Fellows (Gates: rent, hotel, unemployment)

[Dogs_in_Denver]

Is anyone familiar with this program and how selective they are?

My husband has an interview with them, and it's going to be costly for him to get there. He also has an interview in New Orleans and I'm not sure which we should do (we may not be able to afford both). I'm more interested in living in Memphis since it's less expensive and I've been there and thought it was a nice city. But, I think he should go where he has a better chance of getting hired.

Any advice?

[maximus10]

Does this have to do with the Gates Foundation? That's what I got from the website.

[(901)]

Originally Posted by Dogs_in_Denver

Is anyone familiar with this program and how selective they are?

My husband has an interview with them, and it's going to be costly for him to get there. He also has an interview in New Orleans and I'm not sure which we should do (we may not be able to afford both). I'm more interested in living in Memphis since it's less expensive and I've been there and thought it was a nice city. But, I think he should go where he has a better chance of getting hired.

Any advice?

Neither company is offering to pickup the airfare/hotel charges?

[UofMGrad92]

If the interviews are close together in date, he could rent a car and drive to New Orleans from Memphis (or the other way depending on the dates). It's only about a 5 to 6 hour drive.

[Pastelito de limon]

Some of this depends on your husband's goals. Is he willing to work in low performing schools? I have been to some interviews through this program but I avoided applying for jobs with troubled schools or schools that I had heard unpleasant things about...didn't want to be one of those who writes "I quit" on the board and walks out.

But the teacher turnover rate is higher in poorer districts and I'm sure that if he is a competent individual who was willing to deal with the issues stemming from such schools, he might have success with that. They really do need certified, dependable teachers. Especially in high need areas such as math. If he is in a high need area, he has a better shot at getting a job.

There is a process to go through...first off the Memphis Teaching Fellos interview you to decide if you qualify to teach for the city at all (it is really easy to pass this interview). Then you go to these mass interviews where you are competing with everybody to get the attention of the principals you meet (bring a portfolio!). I didn't like that too well. At any rate, your hubby should be prepared for multiple interviews.

I didn't get any callbacks until September/October, after the school year had already started. Then I had at least 5 schools call me before I took my name off their calling list. I already had a job by then.

[Thundergirl]

Originally Posted by Pastelito de limon

Some of this depends on your husband's goals. Is he willing to work in low performing schools? I have been to some interviews through this program but I avoided applying for jobs with troubled schools or schools that I had heard unpleasant things about...didn't want to be one of those who writes "I quit" on the board and walks out.

But the teacher turnover rate is higher in poorer districts and I'm sure that if he is a competent individual who was willing to deal with the issues stemming from such schools, he might have success with that. They really do need certified, dependable teachers. Especially in high need areas such as math. If he is in a high need area, he has a better shot at getting a job.

There is a process to go through...first off the Memphis Teaching Fellos interview you to decide if you qualify to teach for the city at all (it is really easy to pass this interview). Then you go to these mass interviews where you are competing with everybody to get the attention of the principals you meet (bring a portfolio!). I didn't like that too well. At any rate, your hubby should be prepared for multiple interviews.

I didn't get any callbacks until September/October, after the school year had already started. Then I had at least 5 schools call me before I took my name off their calling list. I already had a job by then.

Hi Pastelito de limon,

[SIZE=3]I have an interview for the teaching fellows in a few days and was wandering if you could please provide more information about the writing sample and how you answered it. Or maybe you could tell me how to wow them with the writing sample. Thanks. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3] [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]A bit about me: Through unemployment in physics I found myself tutoring part-time in math and physics. I find it gratifying to help struggling students and so I am looking at a career change to teaching full time.[/SIZE]

Thanks,

Thundergirl