Qualifications
RISE's program focuses on connecting second-stage teachers with emerging schools in low-income communities where they will be more likely to succeed and remain in teaching. These are teachers who:
- Are currently teaching or have been in the classroom recently, and
- Are relatively early in their career (2-7 years). Why?
Minimum Qualifications
To join the RISE Network, teachers must have:
- A belief that the students most in need of excellent instruction should have inspiring teachers in their classrooms.
- At least two years of experience as a full time classroom teacher in a K-12 school in the U.S. serving a low-income population. (This does not include student or substitute teaching.) Why?
- NOTE: RISE defines a low-income population as at least 50% of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch.
- A valid credential in the state that you plan to teach in by the start of the upcoming school year. (For the 2010-2011 school year, must be completed by August 31, 2010)
- 1st and 2nd quartile score on the Haberman Star Teacher Pre-Screener.
- High scores on a reflective essay.
- High scores on a 15-20 minute phone interview with RISE program staff.
- One positive senior reference.
- Eligibility to work in the U.S. (without visa sponsorship).
Selection Criteria
RISE Partner Schools serve students in low-income communities where urgent gaps in educational achievement must be addressed, so our application process evaluates candidates on relevant needs including:
- Knowledge and application of instructional strategies to address the needs of diverse learners within a single classroom
- Demonstrated success in moving students forward academically
- commitment to teaching in low-income communities and a belief that all students can achieve at high levels
- Ability to reflect on experiences and draw lessons from them
- Clear and professional presentation in the application
RISE screens for basic eligibility and incorporates an external, research-based predictive screener into the online application process.
Application Process
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Step 1. Fill out the online RISE application.
Your application generally takes 45-60 minutes to complete. It is reviewed by RISE staff and, if accepted, becomes your profile that principals see on the online RISE Network. RISE will notify you of the status of your application within 5 business days of completion.
Step 2. Complete a 10-15 minute phone consultation.
This brief conversation with a RISE staff member focuses on clarifying points in your application and getting a better picture of your teaching.
Step 3. Log in to search school profiles, view teaching job listings and contact principals.
After your individual consultation, you have access to teaching job postings and school profiles on the Network. You can directly contact school leaders for any teaching position. Principals are also searching teacher profiles on the RISE Network to reach out to candidates who would be a good fit for their needs.
The RISE Application
The RISE application becomes your profile that principals see on the Network. It generally requires 45-60 minutes to complete.
In addition to basic information about your academic background, teaching job preferences, and certification, you will be asked to provide:
- Resume (in Microsoft Word or Rich Text format) that includes your most recent five years of teaching and school name, location, supervisor, and dates of employment for each school.
- References (at least 1 senior reference who has observed you teach is required; s/he will be contacted by email)
- Answers to profile statements below
Profile Statement Questions
- Rank the following areas in order of your strength: (a) classroom management, (b) use of data/assessment to inform instructional decisions, (c) perseverance in the face of challenges, (d) differentiation of instruction to address the needs of all students.
- Given your reflection on the areas above and your knowledge of teaching students from low-income backgrounds, talk about your area of greatest strength and the area in which you are least strong. How have you worked to address this area? (250 words or less)
Application Tips
We recommend the following practices to maximize your success in completing the application:
- Be sure you meet the minimum critera stated above.
- Think, then write. Review the Profile Statement Questions and the Selection Criteria above carefully. These are the vehicle for you to demonstrate you would be a fit for RISE Partner Schools
- Prepare answers in a Word document to copy and paste into your application. This allows you to save them in the event that there is a problem when submitting the online application.
- Answer the entire questions (including all subpoints).
- Provide specific and compelling evidence and examples (e.g. numerical data, where possible).
- Answer questions in paragraph format rather than bullets or lists. Our system does not support bullets or lists currently so the information you submit will come through as one paragraph and be difficult to read.
- Proofread your application before submitting.