Frequently Asked Questions
Teaching in Prince George’s County Public Schools
What is a typical class size?
What does a typical day look like?
Will I teach over the summer?
How is the Prince George’s County Public Schools District structured?
What part of Prince George’s County will I be teaching in?
How safe are the schools?
How long is the commitment?
Why should I become part of Prince George’s County Teaching Fellows?
Certification and Master's Degree ProgramWhat does "alternative certification" mean?
Will I receive state certification?
What exams will I need to take?
Will I receive a Master's degree?What type of person is a good candidate for Prince George’s County Teaching Fellows?
How do I know if I am eligible for Prince George’s County Teaching Fellows?
Am I eligible if I have no prior teaching experience or prior coursework in education?What if I don't have my bachelor's degree yet?
Why aren't certified teachers eligible to apply, and what should they do to start teaching in Prince George’s County?
What if I don't have a 2.75 GPA?
Do I need to be a resident of Prince George’s County to apply?How do I apply to become a Teaching Fellow?
What are the application questions?
What should I include in my resume?
Can I include letters of recommendation with my application?
Do I need to send transcripts with my application?
What happens after I submit my application?
What happens during an interview event?
When and where do interviews take place?
What is the application deadline?
How can I get more information?I wasn't accepted. Can I appeal the decision on my application?
Can I defer acceptance into the program?
Can I re-apply to the program next year if I am not accepted?
I meet all of the Teaching Fellows eligibility requirements. Why wasn't I accepted?
When does the program actually begin?What will I be teaching?
How do I know what subject I am qualified to teach?
Where will I be teaching?
How does the process of securing a school placement work?
Can I choose where I will teach?
When do I find out where I will be teaching?
Can I change my teaching placement after I have started teaching?
Will there be other Fellows teaching at my school?Training and Ongoing Resources
Once I become a Fellow, how will I be prepared for the classroom?
How intensive is summer training?
How long is summer training?
Will I be paid for training?
What kind of ongoing resources and connections are available to Teaching Fellows?What is the starting salary for Prince George’s Teaching Fellows?
What employment benefits do Fellows receive?
Teaching in Prince George’s County Public Schools
What is a typical class size?
Typical elementary school classes range from 20 to 35 students; middle and high school classes generally range from 30 to 40 students. However, exact class enrollment will of course vary from school to school.What does a typical day look like?
A full teaching day in the Prince George’s County Public Schools is about 7.5 hours. While individual school days may vary slightly, a typical school day may run from 8:20 am to 3:50 pm or 7:50 am to 3:20 pm. Beyond the formal school day, Fellows should expect to spend time out of class preparing lessons, grading student work, and communicating with parents and guardians. They may have after-school meetings with school staff, their grade-level or subject team, or students’ family members.Fellows will attend courses as they pursue their Standard Professional Certificate, as well as professional development sessions to support their classroom efforts. A teacher's first year is incredibly intense, regardless of his or her background or preparation. Fellows should be prepared to work long hours.
Will I teach over the summer?
You would not be required to teach over the summer. Many teachers elect to teach summer school, although the number of positions is limited.How is the Prince George’s County Public Schools District structured?
The Prince George’s County Public Schools is the second largest school district in the state of Maryland with about 133,000 students. There are a total of 207 schools in the district including public charter schools: 141 elementary schools, 32 middle schools, 24 high schools, 9 special centers, and 2 vocational centers.What part of Prince George’s County will I be teaching in?
It is the mission of the Fellows program to place Fellows in schools with the highest need for teachers. As a result, all candidates should be prepared to teach wherever they are needed most. Fellows will have the opportunity to express placement preferences, but school placements are primarily driven by school needs and by each Fellow’s qualifications. As a Fellow, you must be prepared to be extremely flexible about your teaching assignment. Ultimately, we want to place teachers where they are needed most within the county, regardless of neighborhood.How safe are the schools?
We believe our schools are safe. We encourage concerned candidates to visit the areas in which they may teach during a regular school day to determine their own level of comfort with the environment.How long is the commitment?
We hope that Fellows will make a lifetime commitment to public education in the Prince George’s County Public Schools. However, the Fellows program is designed as a two-year program that includes a full-time teaching salary, intensive training, and ongoing support. Participants are required to become certified through the Maryland Practitioner Teacher Program. After the two year Fellowship, participants will retain their status as full-time employees of the School System and are considered fully prepared to continue their careers with PGCPS.Why should I become part of Prince George’s County Teaching Fellows?
Use your knowledge and experience to ensure that every child in Prince George’s County has access to a high quality education. Become part of a movement that has a direct and immediate impact on the lives of students in our community.As a teacher, you can be the single most important factor in raising student achievement. You will join a network of like-minded professionals dedicated to improving public schools.
This is your opportunity to take action.
Certification and Master’s Degree Program
What does "alternative certification" mean?
As an alternate route program, the Teaching Fellows program accelerates the process of bringing new teachers to the classrooms that need them the most. Rather than completing a traditional teacher education program prior to entering the classroom, Fellows engage in a short, intensive pre-service training program and complete further academic requirements while they teach.Will I receive state certification?
Candidates accepted into the Prince George’s County Teaching Fellows will be granted a Resident Teacher Certificate (RTC) by the Maryland State Department of Education. The RTC was created to allow outstanding individuals with no previous education coursework the opportunity to teach while earning a Standard Professional Teaching Certificate.Fellows will enroll in Content Seminars through the Maryland Practitioner Teacher Program (MPTP) and literacy coursework either through a local university or MPTP to complete the requirements for Maryland Certification.
Assuming all coursework has been completed, and Fellows have passed the Praxis II Pedagogy exam, all members of the Fellows program will receive a Standard Professional Teaching Certificate at the end of their second year of teaching.
What exams will I need to take?
All Fellows must pass the Praxis I and the content portion of Praxis II before they can begin teaching. Although applicants do not have to take the tests prior to applying to PGCTF, we strongly recommend registering for the tests through Educational Testing Services(ETS) as soon as possible. Final placement cannot occur until the necessary tests are passed.For more information about the Praxis Exams, please visit the ETS website.
Will I receive a Master's degree?
Fellows are required to pursue a teaching credential through a partnership with the Maryland Practitioner Teacher Program. After completing the certification requirements, Fellows may choose to independently pursue a Master’s Degree.
What type of person is a good candidate for Prince George’s County Teaching Fellows?
There is no one profile for an ideal Teaching Fellows candidate; Fellows come from a wide range of backgrounds and bring to the program a diverse set of talents and skills. Strong candidates are those who are committed to having a positive effect on student achievement, who display excellence in their previous endeavors, and who are dedicated to reaching and influencing students—especially those in under-resourced areas—on a daily basis.How do I know if I am eligible for Prince George’s County Teaching Fellows?
The Prince George’s County Teaching Fellows is designed for individuals without a background in education or previous education coursework. It is a highly selective program that is looking for recent college graduates and mid-career professionals who can demonstrate leadership and achievement.Applicants must have a bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 2.75 in coursework related to the content area in which they wish to teach. Official transcripts will be required if accepted into the Fellows program.
Applicants must pass all portions of the Praxis I (or receive the required composite score) and the content portion of Praxis II before beginning the Training Institute. Praxis scores are not required in order to apply to the program.
Applicants must be eligible to teach in United States.
Applicants may not have a felony record.
Am I eligible if I have no prior teaching experience or prior coursework in education?
Yes. Individuals without prior teaching experience or coursework in education are eligible for the program and encouraged to apply. The Fellows program is specifically designed to attract high-quality applicants from diverse, non-education backgrounds into the teaching profession.What if I do not have my bachelor's degree yet?
Applicants may still apply to the program if they will have a confirmed degree by June 1, 2009.
Why aren't certified teachers eligible to apply, and what should they do to start teaching in Prince George’s County?
The Teaching Fellows program is specifically designed to provide training and support to individuals who have had no education coursework or experience. There are other paths to employment in Prince George’s County Public Schools for certified teachers and individuals who have completed teacher education programs. For more information on employment for certified teachers, visit the PGCPS employment website.What if I don't have a 2.75 GPA?
The GPA requirement of 2.75 recognizes the challenging nature of many undergraduate programs of study, and the Fellows program acknowledges that GPA is one factor among many in judging an applicant. However, no candidate will be admitted with a GPA below the minimum of 2.75, as verified by official university transcripts.Do I need to be a resident of Prince George’s County to apply?
No. You do not need to be a resident of Prince George’s County to apply. This program is open to all qualified, determined candidates with the skills and ambitious to make a difference in the lives of students who live in PGC.
How do I apply to become a Teaching Fellow?
To apply online, please visit our online application page to complete and submit the required materials. The application process includes a series of application questions and a professional resume.
If selected for an interview, candidates will be required to bring transcripts, official or unofficial, from every college and university attended (including high school programs that grant college credit and AP courses) as part of their interview materials. Please do not send or fax transcripts before this interview date.
Upon acceptance to the program, Fellows will need to provide official transcripts, indicating their degree has been conferred, from every college and university attended. Acceptance will be contingent upon receipt of transcripts.What are the application questions?
There are three questions all candidates must answer. Responses should be between 200-400 words for each question.
1. Nearly all Fellows are placed in 'high-need' schools that are located in low-income communities. Why do you want to teach in a high-need school?
2. The most important responsibility of a teacher is to ensure high academic achievement for all students. Explain how a skill or ability that you possess will help you ensure high academic achievement for all students and provide an example how you have effectively demonstrated this skill or ability in the past.
3. Teaching Fellows will face new and significant challenges during their first year of teaching. Briefly describe a professional, personal or academic challenge you have overcome. What steps did you take to address the challenge, and how will that experience contribute to your success as a Teaching Fellow?
The application questions provide us with information not captured elsewhere in the application. We use the personal statement to evaluate your writing and critical thinking skills, and more importantly, to gain a sense of your commitment to teaching students in our district. Please do not send generic cover letters.
What should I include in my resume?
Your resume should provide details about your education and professional experience, highlighting those jobs, activities, and awards that display your excellence and reflect achievements and concrete results.Can I include letters of recommendation with my application?
No. Because of the sheer number of applications we receive, we are unable to consider documents or materials other than those required for a complete application (application form, resume, and application questions). Materials that are not required will be discarded. However, we do ask for references on the application, which we may contact to receive further insight on our applicants.Do I need to send transcripts with my application?
If selected for an interview, candidates will be required to bring at least one transcript, official or unofficial, from every college and university attended as part of their interview materials. Photocopies are acceptable at this point.Please note that upon entrance to the Prince George’s County Teaching Fellows, a total of three official transcripts, from each college and university attended, will be required for continuation with the program.
We suggest contacting the office of the registrar at your college(s) and/or universities for details on the timing of this process.
What happens after I submit my application?
Once candidates apply, all complete applications go through an initial review. Outstanding candidates are invited to participate in a Prince George’s County Teaching Fellows interview day, which includes a sample teaching lesson, a group discussion of relevant issues in education, a writing sample, and a one-on-one interview.Candidates are contacted regarding their application status within two weeks of the application deadline.
Participants selected for the program will be trained at a comprehensive Institute during the summer. Participants are also given access to an established support network to help ensure their success in the classroom.
What happens during an interview event?
Candidates will be placed in groups of up to ten, along with one to two Prince George’s County Teaching Fellows interviewers. An interview event consists of both a group session and an individual interview. Each candidate will be asked to teach a five-minute lesson to the larger group, participate in a group discussion, write about a specific educational scenario, and engage in a one-on-one interview with a Fellows interviewer. More information about the interview event will be provided in advance.When and where do interviews take place?
All interviews are conducted in person in the PGC area. Most interview events are held on weeknights and weekends, and each candidate will be given the opportunity to sign up for an interview event that is most convenient for him/her.What is the application deadline?
Our early application deadline is Monday, December 15, 2008. Applicants will be informed of their interview status within two weeks from the application deadline they meet. All applications must include the application questions, professional resume, and a complete application form. Applicants will be required to bring copies of transcripts at the interview day. If selected for an interview, candidates will be notified of their selection status within two weeks of their interview date.How can I get more information?
We regularly hold information sessions and events for anyone interested in learning more about the program.
I wasn't accepted. Can I appeal the decision on my application?
No. All applications are thoroughly reviewed during our rigorous application process, and admissions decisions are final. Because we receive an exceptional number of applications each year, we are unable to re-evaluate individual applications or provide personalized feedback to applicants who have not been accepted to the program.Can I defer acceptance into the program?
No. Once accepted, you may not defer acceptance into the Fellows.Can I re-apply to the program next year if I am not accepted?
Yes, but in order to be considered, you must be able to demonstrate improvements in your candidacy since your previous application. The process for applicants who are re-applying is no different than that for applicants applying for the first time. Because the needs of the school system change from year to year, even those applicants who were admitted to the program in a previous year and declined our offer of admission or withdrew from the program, must reapply to begin teaching the following year.I meet all of the Teaching Fellows eligibility requirements. Why wasn't I accepted?
The Prince George’s County Teaching Fellows is a highly selective program. We have many more qualified applicants than we have positions available in the program. Our eligibility requirements are only the minimum qualifications necessary to be considered for the program, and meeting them in no way guarantees an applicant acceptance. Neither is an achievement or experience, including prior teaching experience, sufficient to guarantee acceptance.When does the program actually begin?
The Summer Training Institute will begin the 4th week of June.
What will I be teaching?
Candidates to the Prince George’s Teaching Fellows program are accepted to teach specific subjects. The subject that you are accepted to teach is based on the staffing needs of the schools, your eligibility, and your subject area preferences. Your eligibility is determined according to strict Maryland State Department of Education regulations. Fellows are needed to teach in subjects where PGCPS students are currently most in need of strong teachers— early childhood education, math, all sciences, English, Spanish, vocal music, and special education.How do I know what subject I am qualified to teach?
Participants who desire placement in secondary schools must have the equivalent of a major degree or 30 credits in the subject area in which they would like to teach.Participants who desire placement in elementary schools must have 6 credits in science, 6 credits in math, 6 credits in social studies, 6 credits in English, and an additional 12 credits in any combination of the above content areas.
Participants should have a 2.75 GPA in coursework directly related to the content area in which they wish to teach.
Where will I be teaching?
Fellows will be placed in schools all across the county, at every grade level. PGCTF will work to cluster small groups of Fellows at the same school to provide additional school-based support. School, grade, and subject level determinations will be based on the qualifications of each Fellow and on the needs of the district, taking into account the preference of the Fellow whenever possible.How does the process of securing a school placement work?
Placement is the process through which teachers find their specific teaching positions in Prince George’s County Public School. This process generally includes interactions with both principals and district hiring personnel.It is the mission of the Prince George’s Teaching Fellows to staff schools in high-need areas, and all candidates should be prepared to teach wherever they are most needed and can have the greatest impact on student achievement. Although candidates will have the opportunity to express their subject area and geographical preferences, these assignments are driven primarily by school needs and by each Fellow’s eligibility. Fellows must be extremely flexible about their teaching positions.
Can I choose where I will teach?
The Prince George’s Teaching Fellows program facilitates parts of the Fellows’ placement process, but it is ultimately the responsibility of the Fellow to present him/herself as a compelling candidate for hire and the decision of the school and district to hire a Fellow to teach at a particular school.When do I find out where I will be teaching?
The process takes place from spring 2009 through the beginning of the school year. Identifying and finalizing a specific teaching job is a challenging process, as there are many variables involved in predicting job openings at the school level. You will receive more information about this process if you are accepted into the Teaching Fellows program.
Can I change my teaching placement after I have started teaching?
You are expected to teach at the school where you are originally hired and commit to positive change in your school.
Will there be other Fellows teaching at my school?
We will work to ensure that program participants are clustered with other participants in the same school. However, because school placements occur after participants are selected for the program, individuals may not know their specific teaching assignments prior to accepting our offer into the Fellows program.
Training and Ongoing Resources
Once I become a Fellow, how will I be prepared for the classroom?
As a Prince George’s County Teaching Fellow, you will be required to attend an intensive Summer Training Institute. The Training Institute traditionally begins during the 4th week of June and ends in early August.The Training Institute will include: a teaching assignment/observation opportunity in a Prince George’s County school with on-site guidance from experienced faculty; professional development seminars with experienced teachers on student standards, foundations of teaching, classroom management, and other skills necessary to become an effective teacher in a high-need school; discussions and activities about the challenges and benefits of teaching in a diverse, urban educational setting; and an opportunity for networking with other Fellows who have made the same commitment to improve the quality of education for Prince George’s County school children.
How intensive is summer training?
Candidates should be aware that the pre-service Training Institute schedule will be rigorous, with many long days. W believe that this preparatory time is critical, and a great deal of material will be consolidated into a few short weeks. Fellows should prepare themselves for a very demanding training experience. All training events are mandatory.How long is summer training?
The training program for 2009 Fellows is a full-time, five-week commitment over the summer.Will I be paid for training?
An exact dollar amount for the summer stipend has not yet been determined; however, the minimum stipend is between $1500 and$2500. Participants will go on the district payroll in mid- August, right before school starts.
What kind of ongoing resources and connections are available to Teaching Fellows?
Fellows often look to develop their most basic, ongoing support network at the school level. Although every situation is different, Fellows may collaborate with co-teachers at their school, district instructional specialists, assistant principals, principals, or a grade- or subject-level team. School assignment and summer training events facilitate connections among Fellows who often teach the same subjects or are clustered together in particular schools or areas of the city.The Prince George’s Teaching Fellows program office also coordinates access to professional development and networking opportunities throughout the year and the publication of a regular newsletter. New Teaching Fellows can draw on these connections as a resource for planning, reflection, and shared encouragement as they strive for excellence in their individual classrooms.
What is the starting salary for Prince George’s Teaching Fellows?
Participants in the Prince George’s County Teaching Fellows receive the same starting salary as other first year teachers in the district. Depending on experience, relevant coursework, and content area, starting salaries range from $43,481 - $52,248.What employment benefits do Fellows receive?
As employees of PGCPS, Fellows are eligible for the same comprehensive benefits as all teachers, including a pension plan, choice of health insurance plans, dental, prescription, and vision coverage.