Posted: December 07, 2011

Cherish our city. Commit to our children. Teach.
http://teachnola.ttrack.org/

New Orleans’ public schools serve 42,000 students, 90% of whom are African American and more than 84% of whom qualify for free or reduced lunch. In 2007, only 23% of Recovery School District (RSD) students in New Orleans scored at or above "basic" on state standardized tests; by 2011 that number has more than doubled – with 48% of students meeting the bar. The graduation rate for RSD students has also improved from 43% in 2009 to 52% in 2011. While much work remains, we know that this progress is due in large part to effective teachers who are committed to raising student achievement for the students of New Orleans.

These statistics underscore the need for effective teachers in every classroom in New Orleans and the sense of urgency with which we must work to ensure that all students achieve in the classroom and are set on a path to success at college and beyond. teachNOLA in collaboration with our partner schools want you to bring your experiences, knowledge, and record of achievement to the classrooms of New Orleans. It is critical to recognize that it is absolutely possible to narrow and eventually close the achievement gap. Research has shown that teacher quality is the single most important school-based factor influencing student achievement. We are looking for teachers with a record of raising student achievement who can bring similar levels of result to our students in New Orleans.

We are recruiting candidates now for our 2012 cohort who teach English, early childhood education, elementary, math, science, social studies, special education, Spanish, French, art, music, and physical education.

As a teachNOLA Master Teacher, you will draw on your experience and record of student achievement to improve the lives of our city's neediest students. Master Teachers are part of a powerful network of committed education leaders working in one of the most exciting environments for urban education reform.

This is a critical time for New Orleans and a potential watershed moment for public education in the United States. We have an historic opportunity to fully transform one of the nation’s lowest performing school systems, but that complete transformation will not be possible without effective, goal-oriented and devoted educators – like each of you. As Jay Altman, CEO of FirstLine Schools, stated in a recent Newsweek article, “It’s very exciting to be part of this movement. New Orleans could be the first city in the country where every kid goes to a good school.”

Benefits of teachNOLA:
• Quick, streamlined, personalized application and selection process
• Full teacher’s salary and benefits, determined by schools
• Personalized support to secure a teaching position for Fall 2012
• A network of talented, committed teachers working to make a difference where they are needed most
• The opportunity to become part of a movement to build a new, and better, New Orleans through education
• Continued program support throughout the school year

Qualifications:
• You must be able to pass a background investigation
• You must have teaching certification by July 1, 2012
• You must have a bachelor’s degree by June 15, 2012 from a U.S. Institution
• You must have a GPA at or above an absolute minimum of 2.5
• You must have a GPA calculated on a 4.0 scale
• You must not currently work as a teacher for New Orleans public schools (Recovery School District, charter or New Orleans Public Schools)

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Apply today at http://teachnola.ttrack.org/

The task of rebuilding our city – and our schools – is monumental, and it will not be easy. We are calling on you to take up this challenge to improve academic outcomes for all of our children.