Eligibility
Louisiana Teaching Fellows is a highly-selective alternative route to teaching program designed for outstanding individuals dedicated to impacting student achievement in Louisiana’s Recovery School District in either Shreveport or Greater Baton Rouge. Fellows will teach critical shortage subject areas such as math, science and special education. Some Language Arts and elementary education positions will also be available. To apply to either the Shreveport or Greater Baton Rouge cohorts, candidates must meet the following eligibility requirements. No previous coursework in education or teaching experience is required.
You must possess a bachelor's degree. Candidates who either hold a bachelor’s degree or who are currently completing their bachelor's degree coursework from an accredited university and expect to have the degree awarded no later than June 5, 2010, are eligible to apply. Please note that a bachelor's degree is a requirement for licensure.
Graduates 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 sent to the Fellows office. Graduates of foreign universities must have their transcripts evaluated by one of the following foreign credential evaluation agencies, recognized by the Louisiana Department of Education, prior to applying:
American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers
Educational Credential Evaluators
International Education Research Foundation
World Education Services
Your undergraduate GPA must be 2.5 or higher. Individuals must possess a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale from an accredited college or university. The Teaching Fellows program cannot consider applications with GPAs below 2.5 due to state certification requirements. 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 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
You must not have (or be earning) a BA or MA in Education. Louisiana Teaching Fellows applicants must not possess or be working towards a bachelor or master’s degree in Education. This program is specifically designed for those who do not have a degree in education. Candidates who already have a degree in education and possess state teaching certification are encouraged to visit the www.teachlouisiana.net.
You must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship. Due to the hiring requirements of Louisiana Public Schools, Louisiana Teaching Fellows applicants must ensure proof of legal work status (i.e., possess U.S. citizenship or permanent residency with a valid green card) to be eligible for the program. Louisiana Teaching Fellows is not able to provide sponsorship for employment through this program.
You cannot be a current district or fully-licensed teacher. Current district teachers, as well as teachers already in possession of their teaching licensure/certification from Louisiana or any other state, are not eligible for the Fellows program. Former full-time public school teachers in the state of Louisiana are also not eligible for Louisiana Teaching Fellows. For more information about teaching positions for candidates who already hold their certification, please visit www.teachlouisiana.net.
You must not have (or be earning) teaching certification in any state. Applicants that are earning or are already in possession of a teaching certificate from Louisiana (or any other state) are not eligible for the Louisiana Teaching Fellows program. Experience as a substitute teacher or a teacher on an emergency credential does not impact an applicant’s eligibility for the Teaching Fellows program.
You must meet testing requirements for your subject area. The goal of the Teaching Fellows program is to find outstanding new teachers who will enter their classrooms as highly qualified new educators. Therefore, candidates must meet testing requirements according to state, district, and certification program guidelines for the subject they wish to teach before they begin teaching.
Fellows will teach critical shortage subject areas such as math, science and special education—the greatest areas of need in Shreveport and Greater Baton Rouge. Some Language Arts and elementary education positions may also be available.
Eligibility requirements vary by subject; however, while no specific coursework or credit hours are required to be eligible to teach these subjects, candidates must be prepared to take and pass the required Praxis II Subject Assessments. In addition, relevant coursework or experience is preferred. Candidates interested in teaching math or science must have strong content knowledge in order to take and pass the required Praxis II Subject Assessment. See table below for more details. Please keep these eligibility requirements in mind when stating your subject area preferences on your online application. Before final acceptance into the program, candidates must submit official transcripts so that GPA may be verified. (Please visit the Apply Now page for more detail.) These requirements are non-negotiable.
Fellows are responsible for registering for, studying for, and passing two exams: the Praxis I general knowledge exam (sections in reading, writing, and math) and the appropriate Praxis II subject area-specific exam. Admission to the Teaching Fellows program is contingent upon passage of these required tests, and passing scores must be on file with the Fellows office before the start of the summer Training Institute. Candidates should wait to register for the Praxis II until they have submitted their online application and have received specific, individualized direction on the appropriate Praxis II subject examination for their candidacy from the Fellows program office. For important dates and more information about registering for the exams, be sure to review the Testing Requirements page.
Subject Area-Specific Coursework & Testing Requirements
Candidates Invited to Interview for a Position Teaching:
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Suggested prior coursework:
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Must Meet the Following Testing Requirements:
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| Math |
No specific coursework is required; however, a major in math or a related field or substantial math credits is highly recommended, in order to take and pass the Praxis II exam. |
Passing score on Praxis I (reading, writing, mathematics sections)
Passing score on appropriate Praxis II
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| Science (general science, biology, chemistry, or physics) |
No specific coursework is required; however, a major in a science or a related field or substantial science credits is highly recommended, in order to take and pass the Praxis II exam. |
Passing score on Praxis I (reading, writing, mathematics sections)
Passing score on appropriate Praxis II |
| Special Education |
Bachelor’s degree in any area; no specific coursework required |
Passing score on Praxis I (reading, writing, mathematics sections)
Passing score on appropriate Praxis II*
* Note that special education teachers will need to take a Praxis II exam in a content area. |
| Language Arts |
Bachelor’s degree in any area; no specific coursework required. Major in English-related field preferred. |
Passing score on Praxis I (reading, writing, mathematics sections)
Passing score on appropriate Praxis II |
| Elementary Education |
Bachelor’s degree in any area; no specific coursework required. |
Passing score on Praxis I (reading, writing, mathematics sections)
Passing score on Praxis II: Elementary Content Knowledge (#0014)
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With careful review of these eligibility requirements, candidates will benefit from a streamlined application and selection process and, if selected, will have the opportunity to participate in an intensive Training Institute this summer before embarking on a new career in education.
You must report any criminal record on your application. Louisiana Teaching Fellows are subject to district and state policy with regards to criminal records. Therefore, candidates who indicate that they have a criminal record on their application may be ineligible to teach in the state of Louisiana through the Louisiana Teaching Fellows program. All Fellows undergo a background check, so reporting criminal background early allows LTF’s partner schools and districts the opportunity to explore individual cases.
Please email program staff at infoshreveport@louisianateachingfellows.org or infobatonrouge@louisianateachingfellows.org with any questions about program eligibility.
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