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Volunteer Teaching Corps (VTC) FAQ
Is this a one year or two year program?
Can I come see the VTC Program for myself?
Is it hard to get into the VTC Program?
Is the VTC only in Chicago?
Is there a minimum GPA for acceptance into the VTC?
What is the application process?
How will the interview process work?
When will I know if I am accepted into the program?
What kind of training will we receive upon entering the program?
What kind of health insurance will I have?
Where are the placement schools?
How do you decide what grade level I will be teaching?
Is it possible to teach in a high school?
What kinds of extracurricular activities have Corps members sponsored?
What are the living arrangements?
How safe are the areas where we live and work?
Is transportation provided?
What are the goals of the retreats?
What does it mean to be an ecumenical program?
Is it hard to live on $150 per month of personal spending money?
When are the breaks? Can you go home during the year?
What about the summer between by first and second year? What do Corps members
do then?
I understand that teaching in urban environments is very difficult. How do you support your teachers?
1. Is this a one or two year program?
The VTC is a two-year program.
2. Can I come see the VTC Program for myself?
Yes. We welcome visitors, and highly recommend that you come to see what we do for yourself. We have a special weekend called "Come & See Weekend" that you can register for by contacting the Recruiting Coordinator. Come & See Weekend 2007 will be held January 11-14, running Thursday through Sunday. This weekend is an opportunity for potential applicants (eligible to apply this year) to experience life of a VTC Corps member and engage in the VTC's four Living Realities of Teaching as Service, Simple Living, Faith-Based Community, and Spirituality. This weekend is structured to help you further discern your interest in volunteer service, and specifically the Volunteer Teaching Corps.
If you are unable to make "Come & See" we can still accommodate your visit at another time. Simply contact the recruiting coordinator to let us know when you will be in town, and which grade level you are interested in observing and we will make the necessary arrangements.
3. Is it hard to get into the VTC program?
Our application process is selective because it needs to be in order to provide this service. But we never want this to keep people from applying. If you take note of the requirements in the "Apply Here" section, there are many different ways to demonstrate your commitment to these requirements. We encourage all who are enthusiastic about our mission to apply.
4. Is the VTC only in Chicago?
Yes. ICTC intentionally kept our focus for the VTC Program in Chicago in order to provide all the support that we feel is necessary for our corps members. The entire staff is in Chicago, and is easily accessible and present in your school and community. There is also a large network of alumni who have remained in Chicago. This provides another major network of support in that many alumni work at the same schools with corps members, and serve as support people for the communities.
5. Is there a minimum GPA for acceptance into the VTC?
In order to meet the minimum requirements for the Masters level coursework at Northwestern University, all applicants to the VTC must have a GPA of at least 3.0.
6. What is the application process?
Application deadline: Application parts should be enclosed in a single envelope and received by January 21st ˇ Applications will not be considered until all required materials are received. In extreme cases in which a reference letter or transcript cannot be obtained prior to the deadline, you should send all available information and immediately follow-up with the missing pieces. The parts of the application prepared by applicant (e.g., personal history and two essays) must be submitted on time for the applicant to be considered in the interview process.
ˇApplication parts:
-personal history information
-Essay I
-Essay II
-Resume
-Three letters of recommendation (Original letters of recommendation must be enclosed in an envelope with the writer?s signature across the seal.)
A) To be completed by current or former teacher/professor
B) To be completed by a current or former employer
C) To be completed by current or former roommate/house mate
- Official transcripts for all college and graduate coursework
7. How will the interview process work?
ICTC will select the applicants to be interviewed. Selected applicants will be notified of the time, date and location of their interview, whether it will be in your area or via the phone. Interviews will happen in late February/early March. This will be a two-part process that should take approximately one hour. Part one will be a more formal one-on-one interview style. Part two, (the "Teaching Potential" portion of the interview) is a 5 minute video taping that occurs right after part one, where applicants will be observed for their presentation styles and ability to breakdown a concept into teachable parts. Applicants who have phone interviews will be required to videotape their lesson and mail them in to our offices by a designated deadline.
8. When will I know if I am accepted into the program?
Notification of acceptance goes out to applicants in Mid-March.
9. What kind of training will we receive upon entering the program?
All ICTC teachers (both in the VTC Program and in UNITE) go through the Alternative Teacher Certification Program for their training throughout the summer and school years. This begins with 8 weeks of student teaching with a mentor teacher at a summer school, and continues with in-class observations by a supervisor and attending various in-services and classes at Northwestern University specifically geared for inner-city teachers. See Professional Development section for more information.
10. What kind of health insurance will I have?
As teachers in the Archdiocese of Chicago, VTC members automatically qualify for health insurance through their provider, Blue Cross Blue Shield of IL, which includes vision. Coverage begins October 1st of your first year in the program. Dental coverage is extra, and can also be applied for in the fall if you so choose. Most Corps members continue on their parents' insurance from July through October. Those who are unable to continue on their parents' insurance are asked to contact the Director of the VTC for assistance in obtaining short term coverage through ICTC.
11. Where are the placement schools?
VTC members will most likely be placed at Catholic elementary schools in underserved areas on the South and West sides of Chicago. The students at these schools are mostly African-American or Latino.
12. How do you decide what grade level I will be teaching?
During the interview you will fill out an applicant questionnaire that asks you to list the grade level and subject area you would be interested in teaching. Once accepted we will refer back to that sheet when we are doing placements. We will do our best to place you in the grade that you list.
13. Is it possible to teach in a high school?
Most of our Corps members teach in grades 1-8. In our experience, many Corps members who have applied with an interest in working with older children work well when placed in Junior High School grade levels (6-8). Again, we will work with you to find the best possible fit. You may be eligible for pursuing a secondary education certificate as a part of your training at Northwestern if you have a math or science background, and therefore would be placed in a high school. Please inquire with our Director of Teacher Preparation to see if that could be a possibility for you.
14. What kinds of extracurricular activities have Corps Members sponsored?
Corps members have coached sports teams, started a school newspaper or yearbook, helped out with student council, cheerleading, art club, book club, or have put together plays and musicals.
15. What are the living arrangements?
VTC members live in co-ed communities of 7-10 people at converted rectories (former priest residence) and convents (former nun residence) in the South and West sides of Chicago. Each Corps member will have their own bedroom, and then share common areas with their housemates.
16. How safe are the areas where we live and work?
There are no safety guarantees anywhere, particularly in urban areas. However, ICTC places high priority on the promotion of safety for corps members. Consequently, ICTC takes proactive measures by
ˇ Providing safety training as a part of orientation
ˇ Equipping all ICTC vehicles with cell phones for emergency use and roadside assistance memberships
ˇ Carefully selecting residential neighborhoods that have been screened for safety. Corps members live on parish grounds associated with the Church; therefore they are respected areas in the community.
ˇ The entire staff lives in Chicago, and an emergency pager is always with one staff member.
17. Is transportation provided?
We are very fortunate to have a fleet of cars that allows our Corps members to provide the important service they offer. Each community has historically been able to have 3 cars for both work and personal use. The community is responsible for the care of the vehicles and is expected to work together to accommodate carpool situations.
18. What are the goals of the retreats?
Retreats for the Volunteer Teaching Corps are designed to provide our volunteers with an opportunity to get away from the city, relax, and reflect on their volunteer experience in a spiritual context. The lives of our volunteers move at a very rapid pace. Retreats provide a valuable opportunity to pause and gain perspective.
There are four weekend retreats each year. Each retreat focuses on one of the VTC's four living realities.
All of the retreats take place at a beautiful retreat house in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin (about two hours north of Chicago). We endeavor to use a number of prayer and reflection formats to allow you to explore the retreats themes and take stock of your volunteer experience. There is also plenty of free time set aside to allow for you to unwind with your fellow volunteers.
19. What does it mean to be an ecumenical program?
The Volunteer Teaching Corps welcomes people of all faiths and backgrounds. Some of our volunteers are very devout in a specific faith and some are exploring. All that is required in terms of faith and spirituality is a willingness to discuss and explore your spirituality with others, especially those who are in your community. It is also important that you are willing to respect and be open to the faith and spiritual paths of others.
While there are many definitions of ecumenical, we use the word to mean all Christian faiths. This is not meant to limit our volunteers, but more to let them know of the predominant culture of the VTC. We have volunteers who are from different faiths, but most of our volunteers are Christian. The same pattern is found among the ICTC staff members. We encourage and hope to have applicants and volunteers of many faith backgrounds, but we do not want to mislead you into thinking that our organization is a reflection of the world's rich religious diversity.
On a more practical note, all of our volunteer teaching placements are in Catholic schools. It is important that you feel comfortable teaching in this environment.
20. Is it hard to live on $150 per month of personal spending money?
You certainly have to watch what you spend, but at the same time you learn to take advantage of the things that are around and available to you at no or low cost. Whether that is enjoying nature itself (Chicago has a beautiful lakeshore with bike paths, parks and beaches), playing games with housemates at home, going to the wonderful museums that Chicago offers (teachers get in for free), or renting a movie versus going to the theater, you learn to be creative with your social time.
21. When are the breaks? Can you go home during the year?
Very similarly to college, you will be able to go home during major breaks. You follow the calendar of your school, which differs slightly from school to school, but you can essentially count on breaks around major Catholic religious holidays (Christmas and Easter) as well as a little time at Thanksgiving.
22. What about the summer between my first and second year? What do Corps members do then?
Corps members have many options when it comes to what they do in the summer between their first and second years. Some go home for the entire summer if they so desire. They simply have to be back in Chicago around the second week of August. Some choose to stay and enjoy Chicago and all it has to offer that second summer, and continue to live in their community while completing summer service. Some examples of summer service are: being a counselor for our Books 'n Hoops summer program, assisting staff in the ICTC office, helping with the after school programs at a summer school, or working in another volunteer agency (i.e. a church, soup kitchen, shelter, etc.). Master's coursework can also be continued at Northwestern during this summer if you so choose.
23. I understand that teaching in urban environments is very difficult. How do you support your teachers?
We have three full-time professional development staff members who oversee your teaching experience and your training. One of these staff members will be assigned to observe your classroom teaching approximately every two weeks during your first year. While all of our staff is available to help you, this person will be your point person if you have questions or need advice. A veteran member of your school's staff will receive extra training and be assigned to serve as your mentor. A second year volunteer will be assigned as your peer mentor, and there may be at least one other ICTC teacher (a current or former volunteer or UNITE member) in your school. Research increasingly indicates the value of mentoring for new teachers, and we also strive to provide a number of informal mentors: The VTC staff members are all former teachers, you live in a community of teachers, and there is a strong & vibrant ICTC alumni community that is anxious to help our current volunteers.
You will also participate in regular professional development seminars (twice a month your first year; once a month your second year) that are designed to continue your training and keep you apprised of fresh teaching concepts and strategies. We have a resource center full of teaching materials as well as a teacher workroom that includes a letter cutter, laminator, and photocopy machine. You will also receive money to help you set up your classroom and maintain your classroom supplies.
Beyond the teaching support, each house is assigned two support people. These support people are typically former VTC members who meet with your house once a week to have dinner and serve as mentors to your community. They help to plan and facilitate the biweekly reflections in your community.
ICTC also maintains connections with spiritual directors and professional counselors. These services will be available to you should you desire them.
Do you have further questions? Please contact Bridget Hogan our Recruiting Coordinator.
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UNITE FAQ
1. Is there a time commitment for members of the UNITE Program?
Yes. UNITE is a one year program. In that year, members are a part of the Alternative Teacher Certification Program (ATCP), where they will complete their student teaching, receive on-going training as a full-time classroom teacher, attend professional development seminars twice a month and develop a Teaching Portfolio. Upon successful completion of the ATCP components, UNITE members will be fully certified to teach in the state of Illinois and will have earned more than half (22 credits) of the credits needed for a Master of Science degree in Education from Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy.
The UNITE program offers an optional 2nd year program for those teachers wishing to continue their formal professional development. Additionally, those teachers who continue to serve in underserved school communities may have opportunities to earn additional tuition assistance toward completing the Masters of Education or other advanced degrees by participating in the AmeriCorps Education Award Program (AEAP).
2. Is there a minimum GPA for the program?
Yes. UNITE members will be completing Masters level coursework at Northwestern University, requiring a 3.0 as a benchmark GPA in their acceptance process.
3. Is there a financial commitment for the UNITE member?
Yes. The UNITE member will be responsible for paying a portion of the Northwestern University tuition and Training Institute costs; this will be paid in installments throughout the program year. While ICTC’s UNITE program is currently a part of AmeriCorps, we cannot guarantee these benefits for the UNITE Class of 2010 given the nature of the AmeriCorps competitive grant process and the dependence on Congressional funding cycles. ICTC anticipates receiving final confirmation on education awards for next year in the end of spring 2009. As such, the tuition and program cost for the UNITE Class of 2010 has not yet been determined (the current program cost is $6,000). In some cases, dependent upon financial need, financial aid can be made available through Northwestern University. However, if a UNITE member should leave the program prior to fulfilling his/her commitment, the person will incur the entire cost of the program. Northwestern University tuition expenses are in excess of $18,000 per UNITE member, however, the additional costs are assumed by the Inner-City Teaching Corps (ICTC) and a CPS tuition subsidy.
4. What kind of training will we receive upon entering the program?
UNITE members participate in the specially designed Alternative Teacher Certification Program, developed in partnership with the School of Education and Social Policy at Northwestern University. The ATCP begins with an 8 week Summer Training Institute designed specifically for non-education majors preparing for their first year teaching. The Summer Training portion of the ATCP includes student teaching with a mentor teacher at a summer school, in-class observations by supervisors and various in-services and coursework at Northwestern University specifically geared for beginning urban teachers. UNITE members will also be prepared for the Illinois State Content Certification Test to be taken during the summer portion of the program.
The training continues throughout the year with on-going Professional Development. Training also involves interactive classroom experiences covering a variety of educational issues. During the school year each UNITE Corps member will have the support of Clinical Supervisors from Northwestern and the ICTC staff as well as a mentor teacher at the school.
5. Am I paid for my summer student teaching and training?
No. Legally, individuals cannot be paid while earning any credit for student teaching. Summer training for UNITE will be an intense, full-time, 8-week session starting in June during which UNITE members will earn student teaching credits. UNITE members will begin receiving a salary when the official school year begins at their school of hire. For UNITE members who teach in the Chicago Public Schools, health insurance coverage will begin one month after the start date of hire.
6. What is the salary of a first year teacher?
Chicago Public Schools pay scale operates on what is known as a “LANE” and “STEP” system. A teacher’s LANE placement is determined by the degree held by the teacher. A teacher’s STEP placement is determined by the number of years, as a certified teacher, of experience held by the teacher.
All newly assigned teachers are placed on Lane I, Step 1 of the Teacher Salary Schedule; teachers who hold an advanced degree who successfully complete additional approved graduate level courses or lane credit professional development courses offered through the CPS Teachers Academy for Professional Development can apply for salary lane adjustments.
The 2006-2007 starting salary for first year teachers (Lane 1, Step 1) in the Chicago Public Schools is $43,000.
The full 2006-2007 CPS pay scale for all Lane and Step classifications is provided below:
$43,233 - $47,912 (B.A.) (Lane 1, Step 1 – Lane 1, Step 3)
$46,228 - $50,906 (M.A.) (Lane 2, Step 1 – Lane 2, Step 3)
$47,725 - $49,971 (M.A. +15) (Lane 3, Step 1 – Lane 3, Step 3)
$49,223 - $53,901 (M.A. +30) (Lane 4, Step 1 – Lane 4, Step 3)
$50,719 - $55,398 (M.A. +45) (Lane 5, Step 1 – Lane 5, Step 3)
$52,218 - $56,896 (Ph.D./Ed.D.) (Lane 6, Step 1 – Lane 6, Step 3)
The above salaries reflect annual salaries, plus the 7% employer pension contribution.
The 2006-2007 starting salary for first year Archdiocese of Chicago teachers is $26,000. Additional compensation may be offered for advanced degrees.
7. Can a UNITE Corps member have a part time job?
ICTC recommends that whenever possible UNITE members refrain from having part time employment during their time in the program. Learning to become an effective teacher is more than a full time job. Developing a Professional Development Portfolio, teaching, attending classes, maintaining class records, and grading all add up to an intense, busy schedule.
8. Does ICTC help with financial arrangements in the summer or the living arrangements for the year?
No. Legally, individuals cannot be paid for teaching while they earn credit for student teaching. Summer training for UNITE will be an intense, full-time, 8-week session starting in June during which UNITE members will earn student teaching credits. UNITE members will begin receiving a salary when the official school year begins. ICTC is also not responsible for living arrangements for UNITE corps members.
9. What kind of health insurance will I have?
Teachers in the Chicago Public Schools may choose among two different HMO policies and three different PPO policies offered. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois and United Healthcare administer these various insurance policies. The cost for CPS health insurance is paid for through payroll deductions based upon base salary, number of family members enrolled and administrator (running from 1.3%-2.8% employee contribution).
For those choosing to teach in the Archdiocese of Chicago, health insurance is administered through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, which includes vision, and Dental coverage through CompDent. The members can choose to be either a part of HMO or PPO programs and may add on family members for a cost. Schools will provide specific information.
10. Where will the school that I serve be located?
UNITE members will teach in underserved schools throughout Chicago, predominantly in African-American and Latino communities. ICTC has historically worked with schools on the West and South sides of the city of Chicago.
11. Where do I get the registration materials and study guides for the Illinois Basic Skills test?
Applicants must pass the state-required Basic Skills test as part of the admissions process to be eligible for the program. Applicants must include either the official test scores from the Illinois State Board of Education or a copy of the confirmation stating when they will be taking the test with all their other application materials. All applicants must be registered for a test date scheduled before the February final application deadline. The cost of the test is $60 with a $25 registration fee per test date. Applicants must contact the Illinois State Board of Education to register for the test themselves. The ISBE website is www.isbe.net . Test registration is at www.icts.nesinc.com.
The registration bulletin and study guides may be obtained from departments and schools of education at Illinois colleges and universities, from the Regional Offices of Education, or from either of the offices listed below:
If applicants have questions regarding program policies or which test(s) they must take, they should contact: ILLINOIS STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION AND TESTING DIVISION 100 NORTH FIRST STREET SPRINGFIELD, IL 62777 TELEPHONE: (800) 845-8749 Phone for the Hearing Impaired: (217) 782-0837 Internet address: www.isbe.net
If applicants have questions regarding test registration, administration procedures, or the receipt of registration, admission ticket, or score report, they should contact: NATIONAL EVALUATION SYSTEMS, INC. P.O. BOX 660 AMHERST, MA 01004-9000 TELEPHONE: (800) 239-8107 or (413) 256-2870 Phone for the Hearing Impaired: (413) 256-8032
12. What happens if I do not pass the Basic Skills or State Certification Test?
UNITE candidates/members should know that their ability to continue in the Alternative Teacher Certification Program is contingent upon passing all 3 required tests for Illinois teacher certification: the Illinois Basic Skills test; the Illinois State Content Certification test; the Assessment of Professional Teaching test.
The Illinois Basic Skills test must be taken as a part of application to the program. Acceptance into the program is conditional upon a passing Illinois Basic Skills test score. UNITE corps members will take the remaining two certification exams, the Illinois State Content Certification test and the Assessment of Professional Teaching test, after their program year has begun..
13. How will the interview process work?
The interview process for UNITE candidates is a two part process. Part I, the Teaching Potential Interview, involves teaching a 5 minute mini-lesson where applicants will be observed for their presentation styles, development of critical thinking skills and ability to break down a concept into simple parts. Teaching Potential Interviews are a group interview, with candidates serving as one another’s student audience. Teaching Potential Interviews will be video taped. Those applicants who successfully pass through the first stage of interviews will be invited back for a part II interview, a more formal/traditional interview.
ICTC will select the applicants to be interviewed. Selected applicants will be notified of the time, date and location of their interview. Interviews will take place in late February/early March.
14. How do school placements work?
The UNITE program arranges for Corps Member placement for the summer student teaching portion of the program. The program does not however place Corps Members into their 1st year teaching assignments; no alternative teacher certification program in the city of Chicago makes 1st year teacher placements.
Hiring in the city of Chicago is a principal driven process – a principal will hire who he or she chooses to hire. Applicants should be aware that in the entire history of the UNITE program we have never had a teacher who did not secure a teaching position.
15. OTHER IMPORTANT POINTS
There are three application deadline dates. October 1st and December 1st are the application deadline dates for those candidates wishing to be considered for early acceptance into the UNITE program. February 1st is the final program application deadline.
ALL application materials are to be submitted in their entirety in a single envelope. Materials must be postmarked NO LATER THAN the application deadline date in order to be considered for candidacy to the UNITE program. Incomplete applications, or applications dated after the application deadline date will not be considered for program admission.
In extreme cases in which a reference letter, transcript or test score cannot be obtained prior to the application deadline date, all available information should be sent by February 1, followed by the missing pieces. The parts of the application prepared by applicant (e.g., personal history
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