Understanding the DCPS Teacher Application Process
If you are a teacher or want to become a teacher, we have some good news for you: the 2023-2024 teacher application for DC Public Schools (DCPS) is officially live! School leaders are able to start reviewing applications for the upcoming school year, so we encourage you to submit your application as soon as you can. There are 116 school communities that you can apply to in DCPS, which means you can find your perfect fit in our school district.
How to Submit a 2023-2024 Teacher Application
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To apply as a teacher, you first need to register if you don’t have an existing account with DCPS and send in your application.
1. Registration
Before you submit the application, you need to register your account with DC Public Schools. Log in with your username and password, and you will be sent to a page where you may apply for the teacher position.
From that point on, you will have to upload your resume and other additional attachments. This can include your teaching license or any certificates that prove you are eligible to act as a teacher.
You will be asked a series of pre-employment questions such as your skills, experience, and other relevant information like your social security number. Once you finish completing the questions, you will be automatically redirected to your Candidate Dashboard. The next stage of the application process will begin there.
If you are an international candidate and do not currently have a social security number, when applying, please select “U.S.” as your country of residence and enter a random 9-digit number that you can easily remember (or write it down for future reference) in lieu of a social security number. This number will be needed should you be selected for hire.
2. Application
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Now it’s time for you to finish your application. You will be directed toward your application, at which point you will see a couple of boxes: the first being the initial application. There, you may add things such as your contact information, licensure status, or subject areas that you are interested in.
3. Phone Interview
Once the initial application is done, in the event of advancement, you will be invited to join an interview with someone that is already a DCPS teacher. This will take about 45 minutes and will take place over the phone (or via Skype, if you live abroad). You will also be required to provide two professional references at this point.
4. Teacher Recommended Pool
If you pass through every stage, then you will be sent into the Teacher Recommended Pool. There, you can see the vacancies and indicate interest in vacancies that align with your subject area. Bear in mind that each school may require extra screening measures that you may want to learn about.
FAQ
Can I Send a Teacher Application If I Am a Current DCPS Teacher Looking to Transfer?
Yes, even if you are currently a teacher, you may still submit a teacher application to transfer schools.
Will the Transfer Application Be the Same as the Main Application?
The transfer application process is just slightly different than the standard one, but it is still fairly straightforward. There won’t be a need for any short answers or evaluating components.
What Documents Will I Need to Apply for a Position As a Teacher?
All candidates will need to submit a current resume. We also encourage candidates to submit any Praxis scores, licensure certificate, or other documents they feel would contribute to your application.
What Happens If I Don’t Have My OSSE License?
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 basic skills exams or Praxis I (reading, writing, and math) or waiver via SAT/ACT/GRE/PCMAS or cumulative 3.0 or higher undergraduate GPA
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 basic skills exams (reading, writing, and math), proof of registration for other state-equivalent, or waiver via SAT/ACT/GRE/PCMAS or cumulative 3.0 or higher undergraduate GPA.
Can I Apply For a School-Based Position?
If you are looking for a non-instructional school-based position such as an administrative aide or a registrar, you can submit an application here.
How to Resume Your Incomplete 2023-2024 Teacher Application
Source: https://vimeo.com/783030299
Let’s say that you started your application, but for some reason, you didn’t get to finish it. Perhaps you left for a few minutes and the page refreshed, the power went down, or you didn’t have time to go through the entire process. Don’t worry, your application is not gone.
Go to the logic page of Join DCPS and add your login credentials. You will see a section in the menu that says “Your Job Applications,” where you can find your incomplete application. Select it and go through the process of completing your application. If you’ve already uploaded the data, it should still be there.
Source: https://vimeo.com/783030299
FAQ
Will I Lose My Data If I’m Signed Out?
No, you will not lose data if you are signed out. All of your information will still be there, as long as you hit “Save.”
Can I Add Documents I Uploaded for Other Applications?
Yes, there is a “Previously Uploaded” section where you can select documents such as a previously uploaded resume.
What Will I Need to Sign In?
You will need your email and the password that you provided upon registration.
Can I Apply for Multiple Teacher Jobs?
You may only submit one application per school year. If you have previously applied to become a DCPS teacher during a different school year, you are more than welcomed to apply for a new school year. Once you have been admitted into the Teacher Recommended Pool, you can submit your interest for various vacancies.
How Many Additional Documents Can I Add?
You may add up to 10 additional documents.
Returning to the 2023-2024 Candidate Dashboard
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Under normal circumstances, you will be directed to the Candidate Dashboard the moment you finish your application. If you are not, or you wish to return and check/introduce extra data, then you need to go to the Teach DCPS page, where you will be prompted to the application text.
Source: https://vimeo.com/783025854
In the main text, in bold, you will see a hyperlink, prompting you to return to the Candidate Dashboard. You need to put your login credentials there, such as email and password. The application will be visible from that point on, allowing you to make the modifications you need.
FAQ
Do I Need to Take Any Security Clearance Steps?
While the application itself doesn’t require you to take any security clearance checks, they will be necessary once you are offered a position. The staffing team will notify you of what clearance items you need once you are accepted (i.e., background checks, fingerprints, drug tests, etc.).
Will DCPS Sponsor My Visa?
While DCPS sponsors H-1B and J-1 visas, individual schools determine whether to hire individual teachers requiring sponsorship. When applying, please select “U.S.” as your country of residence and enter a random 9-digit number that you can easily remember (or write it down for future reference) in lieu of a social security number. This number will be needed should you be selected for hire.
If a school leader would like to hire you, they will be able to view your application materials and sponsorship status once you are advanced to our Recommended Pool; however, we encourage you to tell school leaders from the onset that you would require sponsorship, as some may not be interested, and some may be more open to the possibility. 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, and the school will also work to secure the funding to pay the government filing fees.
Can I Edit an Already Finished Application?
Yes, all you have to do is go to the Candidate Dashboard and access your job application. You can make the edits there.
How Do I Know If My Application Is Complete?
You will know the application is complete once you see a check symbol next to each section.
The Bottom Line
We're glad you want to join our team of passionate educators who are changing the path of public education for DC students. If you have any questions during the application process, please email us at @email.
