How Do I Join?

Eligibility

TeacherNex is highly selective and designed for individuals dedicated to raising student achievement in high-need schools in Newark. We are looking for candidates with the commitment and determination to be successful in the classroom.

Strong applicants are those who have outstanding professional records, with a particular demonstration of past results and evidence of student achievement. Those who are committed to fostering academic excellence and ensuring achievement for all students, especially students who have persistently performed below grade-level, are ideal applicants. Teachers from within and outside of New Jersey are encouraged to apply.

Eligible certified teacher candidates must have the following:

A valid teaching certificate
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university (conferred by August 2010)
A cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0
U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status
Passing score(s) on the required Praxis II exam(s)

Teaching Certificate

All candidates must possess a valid teaching certificate for the state of New Jersey or any other state. Emergency, expired, or temporary licenses are not valid. If you are in the process of becoming fully certified, you must receive your certificate by August 1, 2010. Candidates will need to provide a copy of their teaching license or proof that they will have one by August 2010 during the application process to TeacherNex.

We know navigating the certification process in a new state can be difficult, at times overwhelming. TeacherNex will provide certification workshops for out of state candidates, and to the extent that we are able, we will do our best to facilitate the process.

Ultimately, all candidates who hold a teaching certificate in a state other than New Jersey will either receive or work toward receiving the New Jersey Standard Teaching Certificate. If you have less than one year of full-time teaching experience in your home state, you will apply for the New Jersey Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS), which enables you to seek full-time employment as a teacher in New Jersey while completing a district mentorship program for fist year teachers. Upon completion of all requirements, you will then apply for the Standard Certificate. For more information and to download required forms, please visit the New Jersey Department of Education Licensure and Credentials website.

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree, awarded by August 2010, from an accredited college or university. You will need to provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.

raduates of foreign universities must have their transcripts evaluated by an approved agency. When requesting an evaluation, be sure that the agency specifically states that you have received the U.S. equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in your subject area AND provides a full listing of your coursework. Applications that include foreign transcripts will not be reviewed until the completed evaluation has been submitted to the TeacherNex office. Candidates with foreign transcripts must have their transcripts evaluated by one of the following credential agencies prior to applying

A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0

Candidates must have a cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Graduate courses may not be used or averaged with the undergraduate GPA. If your college did not provide a GPA, you will need to submit a letter from your school, with your transcript, explaining this and verifying that you would have earned at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

TeacherNex may make exceptions for candidates whose GPA is between a 2.5 and 3.0 and who demonstrate a strong record of achievement in previous endeavors and a record of serving children and young-adults in low-income communities. Candidates with a GPA lower than 3.0 will have the opportunity to address any issues relevant to their academic performance by including a brief statement in the TeacherNex application. All applications with a GPA lower than 3.0 will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status

Applicants must present proof of legal work status in order to become employees of Newark Public Schools or a partner charter school. TeacherNex does not provide sponsorship for employment.

Passing score(s) on the required Praxis II exam(s)

The goal of TeacherNex is to find outstanding teachers who will enter their classrooms as highly qualified educators. Therefore, accepted candidates must meet all testing requirements according to state, district and licensure program guidelines for the subject they wish to teach before finalizing enrollment in the TeacherNex hiring pool and becoming eligible to interview with TeacherNex partner principals. If you do not currently hold New Jersey certification, TeacherNex strongly encourages you to register for the appropriate Praxis II examination(s) as soon as possible as PRAXIS II passage is a requirement for applying for certification in New Jersey.

In addition to the Praxis II exams, you must verify sufficient knowledge of physiology, hygiene and substance abuse issues, including the effects of narcotics and alcohol through passage of the county office exam or through previous college level coursework in biology, health or nutrition or through basic military training. Candidates to teach Spanish or Bilingual/Bicultural Education must also pass oral and written language proficiency exams in Spanish and/or English. Passing scores must be on file with our office before a candidate can begin interviewing with TeacherNex partner principals.

Please visit www.ets.org/praxis/prxnj.html for more information about New Jersey specific Praxis II requirements.