Together, our team of passionate educators is defying expectations about what DC's students can achieve and changing the path of public education. We're looking for talented, dynamic educators to teach where it matters most for the upcoming school year.
Interested in becoming a DCPS teacher? The District of Columbia uses a tiered system of teacher licensing with a number of training and career opportunities. DCPS has been the preeminent urban school system in America, with more than 4,000 quality teachers.
DCPS intends to have the highest-performing, best paid, most satisfied, and most honored educator force in the nation.
Put your passion to work
We come to work every day inspired by our challenge: to build a district that sets a new standard for urban education and provides a model for the nation.
Get paid like the professional you are
At DCPS, you don't have to choose between doing what you love and making a great living. We believe teachers are highly skilled professionals and should be compensated accordingly.
Grow and reach your professional peak
There's nothing DCPS takes more seriously than helping teachers reach their professional peak. We help our staff reach their maximum by providing the resources and path to maximize their potential.
SUCCESS STORIES
Our Educators
DCPS has been by far the best district I have worked for. I believe DCPS is an organization that focuses on hiring, fostering, and retaining great teachers. I love that I don't have to leave the classroom to receive a salary that reflects my hard work…There are endless resources and opportunities for me to grow within the organization through their professional development. I'm proud to be a DCPS teacher!
– Lakeisha Brown, Kindergarten Teacher at Lafayette Elementary School
Applications for SY 2023-24 are now open!
Our 2023-24 teacher application is live! Apply for a position across our 116 schools, serving more than 51,000 students. Come join the nation's best educators.
Transform the lives of students in our nation's capital.
Become a part of DC Public Schools today.
Any questions?
Thank you for your interest in DC Public Schools. We appreciate your email and work to respond promptly to all inquiries.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for a position?
All candidates must apply online in order to be considered for a position. To get started, please visit our Teaching and Leadership positions page and find the position you want to apply for.
What do I need to have to apply for a teaching position?
All DCPS teachers need a valid teaching credential (license), issued by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE). However, we are aware that many candidates will not have their OSSE-issued credential upon applying for a position. As such, candidates who meet at least one of the following conditions are eligible to advance through the teacher application screening process:
- Passing Score on the Praxis Core or Praxis I (reading, writing, and math) or waiver via SAT/ACT/GRE/PCMAS
OR
- Active and full OSSE-issued credential or active and full license from another state
OR
- Enrollment in a teacher preparation program AND proof of registration for Praxis Core (reading, writing, and math), proof of registration for other state-equivalent, or waiver via SAT/ACT/GRE/PCMAS
Click here for additional Praxis information, free preparation, and study resources!
What do I need to be hired into a teaching position?
To be selected for hire for a DCPS teaching position, candidates must possess a valid OSSE teaching credential or meet one of the conditions below:
- Proof of a passing score on the Praxis Core or Praxis I (reading, writing, and math) AND proof of a passing score on the Praxis II subject area exam
OR
- Proof of an active and full license from another state to receive an official offer letter.
Candidates selected for hire must provide evidence of their OSSE teaching credential, or evidence of a completed application for an OSSE teaching credential, to receive an official offer letter. Once an application for a DC credential has been submitted to OSSE, it may take up to 12 weeks for the credential application to be processed so we encourage you to submit your application as early as possible.
What is the process for transferring from one school location to another?
Open transfer opportunities are made available to school-based employees at the close of each school year. The open transfer period where employees do not need the permission of their current Principal is from the close of the school year through July 15. Learn about the Internal Teacher Transfer Process.
Transfers made after July 15 must have the approval of the losing Principal. Interested employees should contact the school administrator that has an open position and express an interest to transfer. If the school administrator and your current school administrator consent to your transfer, Human Resources will be notified and will officially complete the transfer process.
Does DCPS sponsor visas?
While DCPS sponsors H-1B and J-1 visas, individual schools determine whether to hire individual teachers requiring sponsorship. Individuals interested in working at DCPS can connect with individual school leaders about vacancies. You can research schools and find contact information for school leaders at our School Profiles: https://profiles.dcps.dc.gov/ website. If a school leader would like to hire you, the school leader will reach out to the Staffing Team indicating that they would like to sponsor a teacher for a H-1B or J-1, and the school will also work to secure the funding to pay the government filing fees.
What security clearance steps do I need to take?
Once you have been offered a position and into onboarding, the Staffing team will notify you of the security clearance items (fingerprinting, background check, drug testing, etc.) you need. Security clearance typically takes 15 business days, so we strongly encourage you to complete this process early to expedite the hiring process.
You will be sent information on drug testing once selected for hire, so it is not necessary to seek drug testing ahead of time. Drug testing must be completed within 15 calendar days from that day you were selected for hire. Failure to complete drug testing within the 15 calendar-day window will result in automatic cancellation of your hire request and you will be ineligible for hire for three years.
Candidates must complete and pass a DCPS security clearance before receiving a formal offer of employment. You can refer to our Fingerprinting and Drug Testing Guide for additional information.
I was looking for a position in the DCPS Central Office. Where can I find that?
If you would like to be considered for any of our Central Services openings, please visit our Central Office Job Board and complete the application for the position(s) you are interested in.
Please note that this website serves as a tool for Teacher, School Leader, and Related-Service Provider questions. Hiring teams at Central Office review applications on a rolling, as-needed basis. If you are selected to move forward in the application process, you will be contacted directly by the hiring manager via email. For questions, please reach out to @email.
I was looking for a school-based position. Where I can find that?
School-based, non-instructional positions (e.g., registrar, administrative aide, etc.) are handled on a school-by-school basis, and we do not have a centralized application for these positions. You would need to contact individual schools to inquire about openings in these areas. Please refer to our "School Profiles" page with more information and contact information on all of our schools. You can access that page here.
