Alternative Certification
Alternative certification programs offer an accelerated route into the classroom for career changers and recent college graduates who have subject matter expertise but no formal education coursework or training. Candidates who are accepted and enroll in one of these programs typically complete a pre-service program of 1-2 months and then teach under a Transitional B state certificate while they are earning their graduate degree and other requirements for Initial Certification.
Broad Prize for Urban Education
The Broad Prize honors the urban school district that demonstrates the greatest overall performance and improvement in student achievement while reducing the achievement gap among poor and minority students.
Career Fairs and Networking Events
The Office of Teacher Recruitment & Quality coordinates a number of events from May through August to facilitate in-person interactions between school hiring representatives and candidates. These events are only open to invited candidates with complete applications.
Central Commitment
The central commitment is a guarantee of employment within the NYC public school system with certain terms and conditions; in addition to being eligible for recruitment events and the New Teacher Finder, applicants accepting central commitments also receive personalized assistance during the job search process.
Central Department of Education
The DOE provides vital, system-wide services, including academic standard-setting, student placement, school funding, and teacher recruitment. The Chancellor maintains responsibility for ensuring that all schools and support organizations are meeting the high standards that the Department sets, and that all relevant laws, regulations and requirements are met.
Children First
In 2003, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Schools Chancellor Joel Klein launched Children First, a comprehensive school reform effort built on the three inter-related ideas of leadership, empowerment, and accountability.
Community District and High School Superintendents
Community and High School superintendents supervise schools, evaluate principals, work to ensure that schools meet accountability targets, and perform other duties required by statutes and the Chancellor.
Failed Quality Screen
All applications are reviewed for quality of content, especially the written responses. Failing this review means that the Office of Teacher Recruitment and Quality will not be able to provide assistance finding a school position. It does not, however, preclude applicants from conducting an independent job search and teaching in New York City. The NYC Department of Education cannot provide individual feedback to applicants regarding the review of their applications.
High Need Schools
High need schools may face unique and diverse challenges in meeting goals for academic progress for students and need dedicated and talented teachers who will ensure success for all students. The list of eligible high-need schools is determined annually by the Office of Teacher Recruitment and Quality in conjunction with specific guidelines set forth by New York State and New York City.
HR Connect
HR Connect can be reached at 718-935-4000, Monday through Friday, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Initial Certificate
The Initial Certificate is the entry-level teaching certificate issued to individuals who have completed a teacher preparation program or equivalent coursework and experience. The Initial Certificate is valid for five years and is non-renewable.
Integrated Service Centers
Each borough has an ISC, which offers schools one stop assistance with mandated and operational services related to human resources, payroll, budget and procurement, transportation, food services, facilities and extended use, grant management, technology, health and safety, student suspensions, youth development, and some elements of special education.
Internship Certificate
The Internship Certificate is issued to individuals who have completed at least 50% of an approved graduate program leading to Initial teacher certification and have a commitment for a teaching position with a principal. Before starting their teaching position, Internship Certificate holders will need to provide a letter verifying eligibility from their college or university. This certificate is valid for two years.
Job Search Support
Select candidates may receive invitations to relevant recruitment events (including job fairs) and will be included in the New Teacher Finder.
New Teacher Finder
This online tool allows principals to post requests for resumes from candidates, as well as to search for candidates by criteria such as subject area and borough preference.
Paraprofessional
Paraprofessionals are teaching assistants who provide instructional services to students under the general supervision of a certified teacher.
Professional Certificate
The Professional Certificate is the advanced-level certificate for classroom teachers and requires a master's degree, three years of teaching experience, and ongoing professional development.
Proof of Certification
Scanned license, or for graduating students, a scanned letter from your university or current transcript.
Provisional Certification
The entry-level certificate for pupil personnel professionals, issued in specific subject/grade titles.
Reciprocity
Applicants who hold a certificate from another state, or who have completed an approved program that would lead to a teaching certificate in another state, may be eligible for a certificate through interstate reciprocity.
Salary Differentials
A salary differential is an incremental increase in salary based on academic credit, coursework, or degrees earned.
Salary Steps
A salary step is an incremental increase in salary based on previous qualifying professional experience.
School Support Organizations
School Support Organizations help schools achieve their accountability targets, provide professional development support, design programs for high needs populations and attract and support high quality teachers. Principals, in consultation with their school communities, selected from among three types of School Support Organizations, all designed to support schools as they work to meet the high standards that the New York City Department of Education has set for them. Schools could choose from three main types of School Support Organizations: Empowerment Support Organization, Learning Support Organizations, and Partnership Support Organizations.
Shortage Areas (also designated critical shortage areas or high need subjects)
Math, science, Special Education, Spanish, ESP, Bilingual Subjects, Speech Improvement
Student Teaching Initiative
The Student Teaching Initiative is designed to provide currently enrolled students the opportunity to have a fulfilling urban experience as a student teacher, offering support and guidance through the final stages of the traditional teacher certification process.
Teacher Support Network
All applicants must create an account and submit their application at nyc.teacherssupportnetwork.com. For assistance with your online account, please call 1-877-DO-TEACH (1-877-368-3224).
Teachers of Tomorrow
The NYC Department of Education provides additional financial incentives for new teachers to work in our highest-need schools. The Teachers of Tomorrow Program is an opportunity for a newly hired certified teacher to earn an additional tax-free grant of $3,400 for each year of satisfactory service up to four years for a total of up to $13,600.
Teaching Fellows
The New York City Teaching Fellows (NYCTF) is a NYC Department of Education alternative certification program that recruits, selects, and trains talented individuals to become teachers in NYC public schools.
Transitional B Certificates
Transitional B Certificates are issued to participants enrolled in an alternative certification program such as the New York City Teaching Fellows. Individuals cannot apply directly to the State for a Transitional B Certificate.
Uncertified
In order to work in New York City public schools, all teachers must have valid certification from the New York State Education Department. This certification requirement may be met in multiple ways, including through alternative certification routes and reciprocity for certified teachers from out-of-state. With the exception of day-to-day substitute teachers, we cannot employ teachers who are not certified.
United Federation of Teachers (UFT)
Representing more than 200,000 people, the UFT is the sole bargaining agent for most of the non-supervisory educators who work in the New York City public schools. It represents approximately 74,000 teachers and 17,000 classroom paraprofessionals, along with school secretaries, attendance teachers, guidance counselors, psychologists, social workers, education evaluators, nurses, laboratory technicians, adult education teachers and 32,000 retired members.
Webcasts
Online information sessions