General What are Teaching Trust's values? Aspiring Leaders Program *Please return in the Fall for an updated version of the FAQ page. Candidates are selected based on a set of core values and competencies which fit within these values. These values include Educational Equity, Courage & Resilience, Entrepreneurial Mindset, Reflection & Growth, and Disciplined Action. How many candidates are accepted each year? Our cohorts range from 25-40 cohort members. We do not have a seat cap, and are looking for values alignment, leadership potential, and if this is the right time for a candidate to pursue the program. If I am not accepted, may I re-apply next year? Yes! Our selection process is designed to not only assess values alignment, but if this is the right time in a candidate's career to pursue such a rigorous program. If you are not accepted this year, it does not mean you will never be accepted. Many candidates who previously applied were able to utilize the feedback from the selection process and engage in conversations with their school leaders to develop in those areas and successfully be selected a year or two later. Do I need a Texas teacher certificate to participate in the program? Candidates must possess a Texas teacher certificate prior to obtaining their principal certification. You may apply and be accepted to the program, however, accepted candidates will be expected to obtain a Texas teacher certificate by the end of the first program year in order to obtain their probationary principal credentials. What is the program cost? Teaching Trust and SMU both offer extensive financial support for the Aspiring Leaders Program. Due to these contributions, the total cost to a participant is $10,000 in tuition. Are there additional costs I should prepare to incur? As with any other graduate program, candidates should be prepared to pay a small application fee to SMU, may be required to take the GRE, update their immunization records, etc. Is financial aid available? Yes. Applicants must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to qualify for financial aid. To be eligible for FAFSA, you must be a citizen or eligible noncitizen of the United States.
Do I need a Texas teacher certificate to participate in the program? Candidates must possess a Texas teacher certificate prior to obtaining their principal certification. You may apply and be accepted to the program, however, accepted candidates will be expected to obtain a Texas teacher certificate by the end of the first program year in order to obtain their probationary principal credentials. Do I need classroom experience to apply? Yes, applicants must possess a minimum of two-years teaching experience as of June 2017. Can I apply if I have an H1B visa? An H1B visa is specific regarding the occupation its holder has been sponsored to possess. We have learned that H1B visa holders must remain in the position as listed in their work documents, and are unable to move into a different role (i.e. assistant principal or principal). At this time, we are unable to sponsor H1B working visas. Please reach out if your residency status changes in the future. Can I apply if I m employed by a non-partner district or charter network? We partner exclusively with Dallas ISD, Grand Prairie ISD, Irving ISD, KIPP DFW and Uplift Education. If this is a program you are committed to pursuing, we encourage you to explore employment opportunities with the partners listed above prior to applying. If I m currently working in the private or nonprofit sector, how does this affect my eligibility? We strongly encourage you to explore employment opportunities with our district and charter network partners prior to applying. You may apply if the district/charter leadership approves of your participation. In order to be accepted, you must have two years of previous classroom experience and be approved by the district/charter you intend to work for in the 2017-2018 school year. What if I live outside of North Texas? National candidates are still welcome to apply, and if selected to advance to the assessment center, will be required to attend an in-person interview day. National applicants who are TFA corps members or alumni are encouraged to apply to TFA-DFW s Destined for DFW weekend. Through this process, select applicants will interview for teacher and/or school leadership roles in North Texas district and charter schools and receive individualized support from TFA-DFW. If I m a part of the central administration team at a district or charter, how does this affect my eligibility? You are eligible to apply if you possess a minimum of two-years teaching experience as of May 2017. In the section of the application titled Professional Information, you are asked to provide details regarding your current assignment. Under Title, please select Other and enter your current job
title (e.g. Talent Partner). Under School Name or Organization, please enter the name of your current department (e.g. Human Resources). I already have a master's degree, am I still eligible? Yes, we have several cohort members who possess multiple master's degrees and some pursue the program and already possess a master's in educational leadership from a different institution. I started another master's degree program. Can I transfer the credits? Unfortunately, credits are non-transferrable. This program is experiential and builds from the foundation of the coursework year, to the residency experience, along with coaching and development. Is there a GPA requirement? There is a preferred GPA of 3.0. However, we do accept candidates with a GPA below a 3.0 if they are able to show other significant strengths to offer. We may request an additional essay detailing any extenuating circumstances or cause for a GPA below 3.0. Do I need to take the GRE? Applicants who graduated from an accredited undergraduate program with a GPA of 3.0 or above are not required to take the GRE. If your GPA is below a 3.0, you will be asked to take the GRE no later than March 15, 2018. Can I apply if I have an H1B visa? An H1B visa is specific regarding the occupation its holder has been sponsored to possess. An H1B visa holder must remain in the position as listed in their work documents, meaning they are unable to move into a different role (i.e.: assistant principal or principal). At this time, we are unable to sponsor H1B working visas, but are committed to diversity, equity and inclusiveness. Please reach out if your residency status changes in the future. I don't work at a partner district/charter. Can I still apply? We partner exclusively with Dallas ISD, Fort Worth ISD, Grand Prairie ISD, Irving ISD, KIPP DFW and Uplift Education. If this is a program you are committed to pursuing, we encourage you to explore employment opportunities with the partners listed above. You may still apply if not currently employed by a partner, but will not be able to matriculate into the program without partner approval and employment.
Teaching Trust Application and Selection Process Professional References Who can be used as a reference? Reference #1 must be submitted by your current principal. Reference #2 can be submitted by either: 1) Someone who has worked with you in a professional capacity and who has knowledge of your current practice as an educator and your leadership experience, or 2) Your current supervisor, if that person is not currently your principal. How does my reference obtain the reference form? Your listed references will receive an e-mail with the Professional Reference Form at the time you open your application. It is your responsibility to ensure each reference submits the form on your behalf no later than the application deadline you applied for. If you are applying for the Priority Deadline, the form must be submitted by Sunday, November 13 at 11:59 PM Central Time. If you are applying for the Final Deadline, your reference form must be submitted via e-mail by Sunday, February 12 at 11:59 PM Central Time. Should I submit a third reference? No, a third reference is only required for current Teach For America corps members. We ask that their Manager of Teacher Leader Development submit an additional reference along with their principal and current supervisor/colleague. Is it acceptable to list an individual who is not employed by a school district or charter network as a professional reference? No. Please refer to the guidelines listed above when determining whom to list on the application. I possess a minimum of two years of teaching experience and left the classroom to pursue a career opportunity in a different industry. Whom should I list as professional references? We encourage you to reach out to your former principal and supervisor for professional references. We would also accept a reference from the district/charter leader you were hired by for the upcoming school year. Next Steps I just submitted by Aspiring Leaders Program application. How soon can I expect to hear back from Teaching Trust? If you applied for the Priority Deadline (Sunday, November 13 at 11:59 PM Central Time), the recruitment team will notify you of the status of your application no later than December 1, 2016. If you applied for the Final Deadline (Sunday, February 12 at 11:59 PM Central Time), the recruitment team will notify you of the status of your application no later than March 1, 2017. Candidates will be notified of their status regardless of if they are moving forward or not. Selection What does the selection process entail? The selection process is very rigorous and candidates may expect to go through most, if not all of, the following: Application Review
An opportunity for us to learn more about a candidate, assess their prior student achievement scores, and better understand their values through four essays. Phone Activity and Interview During this stage, some candidates may participate in an activity which is sent to them prior to a phone interview. Assessment Center A four-hour experiential process for assessors to best understand and identify is this is the right program for a candidate at this specific time. Final Interview An opportunity to follow up on conversations from the Assessment Center. District or Charter Employer Review All candidates are subject to review and approval by their district/charter. Offer Extended Once the offer has been extended, selected candidates must complete the Program Commitment and Agreement form, complete an SMU application, and submit the Loan Agreement Form, along with any other documents as required. SMU Simmons School of Education Application Should I work on the Teaching Trust and SMU application simultaneously? No. Individuals must first submit an application to Teaching Trust and be accepted before completing the SMU application. When should I expect to submit the SMU application? Teaching Trust will notify all applicants of their admittance to the Aspiring Leaders Program. Applicants will be invited to apply to SMU s Simmons School of Education depending upon the deadline by which they have applied. Priority Deadline applicants will be notified by February 1, Final Deadline applicants will be notified by May 1. Are there any documents I should collect in advance of submitting an application to SMU? Yes. Plan ahead to allow adequate time to secure all needed documents. SMU requires the following information: Social Security Number Unofficial E-transcript(s) Official Undergraduate Transcript TEA ID Number Texas Educator Certificate (e-copy) Official Teaching Service Record TOEFL Score GRE Score (if applicable) Do I need to take the GRE? Applicants who graduated from an accredited undergraduate or graduate program with a 3.0 GPA or higher are not required to submit GRE scores.
What is the deadline to submit my GRE scores to SMU? SMU s admission policies require applicants to submit their GRE scores or the date of their scheduled examination no later than the SMU application deadline. Visit ETS s website for exam dates and locations. Seats fill fast. Tuition and Financial Aid What is the cost of tuition? Teaching Trust and SMU both offer extensive financial support for the Aspiring Leaders Program. Because of these contributions, the total cost to a participant is $10,000. Can tuition be paid over the course of the five years? Aspiring Leaders commence tuition payments in the fall semester of their first year. Tuition must be paid during the first two years of the program, when Aspiring Leaders are enrolled in SMU s Simmons School of Education. The payment and number of course hours per semester are charted below. Semester Credit Hours Cost Summer 2017 7 $0 Fall 2017 6 $2000 Spring 2018 4 $2000 Summer 2018 5 $2000 Fall 2019 8 $2000 Spring 2019 6 $2000 Total 36 hours $10,000 Is financial aid available? Yes. Applicants must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to qualify for financial aid. To be eligible for FAFSA, you must be a citizen or eligible noncitizen of the United States (e.g. U.S. Permanent Resident). What is the deadline to submit my FAFSA? There is no priority deadline for graduate students. To qualify to receive financial aid to cover expenses associated with summer intensive (June 2016), you must submit your 2016-2017 FAFSA no later than April 1, 2017. Submit the 2016-2017 FAFSA no later than May 1, 2017 to qualify to receive financial aid for the 2017-2018 school year. How do I start my FAFSA application? Visit www.fafsa.ed.gov to start your application and enter SMU s Federal School Code: 003613.
Am I eligible to receive financial aid each semester I m enrolled at SMU? Students only qualify for financial aid during semesters when they re enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours. This means students are ineligible to receive financial aid during spring and summer 2018, unless they take out a larger loan during the previous semester. Anyone in need of a payment plan is encouraged to contact the Office of the University Bursar to explore options. For more information please visit: http://www.smu.edu/enrollmentservices/bursar/payments/paymentplanoptions. Selection Process Selection What is the timeline and when will I hear back from Teaching Trust? What happens after I have been selected? Once the offer has been extended, selected candidates must complete the Program Commitment and Agreement form, complete an SMU application, and submit the Loan Agreement Form, along with any other documents as required. What is the difference between the Priority Deadline and Final Deadline? Priority Deadline candidates (November 13, 2016) have more time to complete admissions requirements and learn of their acceptance earlier. Final Deadline candidates (February 12, 2017) are on a tighter timeline and must be prepared to collect required documents and test scores. If you are a Final Deadline candidate, please consider collecting the following items as soon as possible:
Official Undergraduate Transcript Texas Educator Certificate (e-copy) Official Teaching Service Records TOEFL Score (if applicable) Aspiring Leaders Program If you are accepted to the program, and have an undergraduate GPA of below a 3.0, you will be required to take and submit your GRE scores before completing the SMU application, which is due on April 8. Official scores may take up to 15 days to arrive. When does Summer Intensive begin? Summer Intensive will be held at Southern Methodist University s Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education Thursday, June 8 th through Tuesday, June 27 th. Classes will be held Monday Saturday from 8 am 5:30 pm. Additionally, there will be a two-hour evening orientation taking place on Monday, May 1 st. SMU Simmons School of Education Application Should I work on the Teaching Trust and SMU application simultaneously? No. Individuals must first submit an application to Teaching Trust and be accepted before completing the SMU application. When should I expect to submit the SMU application? Teaching Trust will notify all applicants of their admittance to the Aspiring Leaders Program. Applicants will be invited to apply to SMU s Simmons School of Education depending upon the deadline by which they have applied. Priority Deadline applicants will be notified by February 1, Final Deadline applicants will be notified by April 1. Are there any documents I should collect in advance of submitting an application to SMU? Yes. Plan ahead to allow adequate time to secure all needed documents. SMU requires the following information*: Social Security Number Unofficial E-transcript(s) Official Undergraduate Transcript TEA ID Number Texas Educator Certificate (e-copy) Official Teaching Service Records Resume Essays as submitted to Teaching Trust TOEFL Score (if applicable) GRE Score (if applicable) *Teaching Trust will submit the letters of recommendation to SMU on your behalf.
Do I need to take the GRE? Applicants who graduated from an accredited undergraduate program with a 3.0 GPA or higher are not required to submit GRE scores. Candidates with an undergraduate GPA below a 3.0 will be required to submit their GRE score when applying to SMU. What is SMU s GRE score requirement? SMU requires applicants to score a minimum 144 in Quantitative Reasoning, a minimum 153 in Verbal Reasoning, and a minimum 4.5 in Analytical Writing. What is the deadline to submit my GRE scores to SMU? SMU s admission policies require applicants to submit their GRE scores no later than the SMU application deadline. Visit ETS s website for exam dates and locations. Seats fill fast. Tuition and Financial Aid What is the cost of tuition? Teaching Trust and SMU both offer extensive financial support for the Aspiring Leaders Program. Because of these contributions, the total cost to a participant is $10,000. Can tuition be paid over the course of the five years? Aspiring Leaders commence tuition payments in the fall semester of their first year. Tuition must be paid during the first two years of the program, when Aspiring Leaders are enrolled in SMU s Simmons School of Education. The estimated payment and number of course hours per semester are charted below. Semester Credit Hours Cost Summer 2017 7 $0 Fall 2017 6 $2000 Spring 2018 4 $2000 Summer 2018 5 $2000 Fall 2019 8 $2000 Spring 2019 6 $2000 Total 36 hours $10,000 Is financial aid available? Yes. Applicants must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to qualify for financial aid. To be eligible for FAFSA, you must be a citizen or eligible noncitizen of the United States (e.g. U.S. Permanent Resident). What is the deadline to submit my FAFSA? There is no priority deadline for graduate students. To qualify to receive financial aid to cover expenses associated with the degree, you must submit your 2016-2017 FAFSA no later than April 1, 2017.
Submit the 2016-2017 FAFSA no later than May 1, 2017 to qualify to receive financial aid for the 2017-2018 school year. How do I start my FAFSA application? Visit www.fafsa.ed.gov to start your application and enter SMU s Federal School Code: 003613. Am I eligible to receive financial aid each semester I m enrolled at SMU? Students only qualify for financial aid during semesters when they re enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours. This means students are ineligible to receive financial aid during spring and summer 2018, unless they take out a larger loan during the previous semester. Anyone in need of a payment plan is encouraged to contact the Office of the University Bursar to explore options. For more information please visit: http://www.smu.edu/enrollmentservices/bursar/payments/paymentplanoptions. Five-Year Commitment What kind of role can I serve in during my first year? You are welcome to stay in your current role during the coursework year (Year 1), but we expect all Aspiring Leaders to move into a role where they manage other adults in heir residency (Year 2). Traditionally, this has been an Instruction Coach or AP role. If you have questions or concerns around this, please reach out to the recruitment team or the program officers. We expect all Aspiring Leaders to commit to serving high-needs DFW schools, in an instructional leadership capacity, for five years. This document contains participation terms and conditions and is provided to applicants upon admittance to the program. All Aspiring Leaders must sign and submit the document as a condition of acceptance into the program. What happens if I exit the program early? If you were to breach the Teaching Trust Program Participant and Loan Agreement, the program repayment would vary depending on the date in which the breach took place. The amount would range between $10,000- $30,000 and repayment would initiate immediately to Teaching Trust. If you exit the program: in Year 1 the program repayment fee associated is $10,000. in Year 2, the program repayment fee associated is $30,000. in Year 3, the program repayment fee associated is $30,000. in Year 4, the program repayment fee associated is $20,000. in Year 5, the program repayment fee associated is $10,000.