Making the decision to become a teacher is one of the most fun and rewarding career choices you could ever make. Getting started is not without its challenges, however, and securing that first job can seem a bit daunting. Although the 2016-2017 school year for Fulton County has already started, there are still opportunities for teachers out there. If you're interested in working as a teacher for the Fulton County Schools system, here's what you need to know.
Having what it takes
Education and certification:
All teachers must meet certain requirements for both education and certification in the state that they teach. TeachingDegree.org states that Georgia teachers must have at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. In addition, teachers must also complete a teacher training program approved by the state.
Certification:
Fulton County teachers, as well as all Georgia teachers, must also hold valid certification in the fields that they teach. According to the Fulton County Schools website, as part of the certification process to satisfy Special Georgia Requirement, teachers must also take a course in the identification of exceptional children, complete a content assessment and stay in compliance with the Education Code of Ethics.
The Fulton County Schools hiring process
The Fulton County Schools System uses a four step hiring process for its prospective teachers.
Step 1:
Complete the 45 to 60 minute online application, which also contains a data exercise. In three to five days, applications are reviewed and a determination is made as to whether a prospective teacher qualifies for the next step.
Step 2:
During the second part of the hiring process, prospective teachers are interviewed by phone and participate in a role play that includes a five-minute mini-lesson with the interviewer. This mini-lesson is used as a way to analyze teaching styles and shows how one would typically perform in the classroom.
Step 3:
After completing the phone interview, prospective teachers are added to the candidate pool and become eligible for a school based interview. The school based interview provides principals with an opportunity to review applications and gauge a prospective teacher's interest in interviewing for a position at their school.
Step 4:
As a final step to the interview process, prospective teachers are typically invited for a school based interview and participate in interview activities that allow the local school leaders to observe them using various teaching methods. If it is determined that the prospective teacher will make a good fit to the school, the principal generally makes a recommendation for hiring.
Salary
Fulton County teachers are paid on a sliding scale through steps. Although the base for the 2016-2017 school year starts at $44,016 for teachers with a ranking of T4-Bachelors, there are variations in pay that teachers may receive that are based on other factors, such as higher compensation for those who teach math and science, or have a higher degree of education.
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