Applying for Teaching Positions with
The New York City Department of Education
Quick Guide
All individuals interested in applying for a teaching position in the NYC Department of
Education must complete the online application. In order to complete the application,
applicants will need to provide important information about their professional background, a
complete resume, and responses to essay questions. We suggest that all applicants review
this document prior to completing the application.
All applicants for teaching positions must currently have New York State certification, or be
able to demonstrate they (a) possess certification in a state or country that is part of the New
York State reciprocity agreement or (b) will otherwise meet the qualifications for New York
State certification by September 1, 2008. Applicants must also be eligible to work in the New
York City Public Schools based on a background check. For more information on
qualifications, please visit http://teachnyc.net.
To apply
Please visit http://teachnyc.net and follow the Apply Online link
Application Steps:
1. Create an account
Applicants will first need to create an account by answering a few general questions that
include providing an email address and selecting a password. Please note that the email
address provided will also be the user ID.
2. Start an application
The online application is a multi-step process. Applicants can enter data and complete the
entire application, or save at one of the steps and then return to complete it at a later time. In
total, the application should take approximately 45 minutes to one hour to complete.
Information that is needed to complete the online application include:
• Any supporting documents to demonstrate a teaching credential (license, letter
from university – if currently a student, etc.)
• Information regarding all previous professional experiences – teaching and nonteaching
related, including dates and phone numbers
• Three professional references
• A resume that can be attached or copied and pasted into a text field
(attachments preferred)
• Answers to two essay questions that can be pasted into text fields. Both
questions are included in this document. Applicants are highly encouraged to
review and write the essays in preparation of completing an application. Please
be aware that the quality of writing will be evaluated. There is a 500 word limit
per question.
o Essay Question 1
It is the third month of the new school year and you have just finished a
week-long unit of study that covered key grade-level standards for your
students. Prior to teaching the unit, you invested significant time and
effort into preparing lessons, activities, and supporting materials.
However, over 50% of your students failed the end-of-unit test you
administered at the end of the week. To keep up with the pacing
calendar, you are expected to move on to a new topic the following
week. Please describe what next steps you will take to address this
situation.
o Essay Question 2
The New York City Department of Education is a diverse and dynamic
system of 1,450 schools. The principals who lead these schools are
searching for great teachers to meet the needs of their students. What
are the THREE most important qualities you would want a principal to
recognize in you as a potential staff member? Please focus on personal
and professional qualities, talents, or experiences unique to you and
provide examples and other evidence to support these. As you search
for a place to teach, what are the top THREE characteristics you are
looking for in a school?
3. Submit a completed application
Once your application is complete, click the Complete button.
After Applying
Once submitted, applications will be reviewed by Division of Human Resources staff for
eligibility and quality. Applicants will be contacted by email regarding any changes to the
status of the application and any relevant steps to follow, if necessary. Over the course of the
hiring season, applicants will be emailed information about finding positions in school if they
indicate they want to receive this information on their application.
Applicants can log back into their applications to make updates throughout the hiring season.
Please note that there are exceptions, such as the writing response. Any data that it is not
editable after submission will be noted as such on the application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I choose to submit a paper application?
A: No. You must apply online.
Q: Are there any additional steps that I need to take besides applying online?
A: You will be notified if there are any eligibility concerns or relevant steps to follow.
Q: How long does it take for notification regarding interviews?
A: The initial review will depend on the particulars of each application. If you have not
received any communication from us and it has been over a week since you applied, you
may contact our office us at teachnyc@schools.nyc.gov. In order to expedite your request,
please include as many details regarding your question.
Q: I am having a difficult time viewing the application online. Which browsers and operating
systems should I use to view the application?
A: The application works with the following operating systems and web browsers:
Operating Systems:
Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000, or XP
Mac OS X
Web Browsers
Internet Explorer 5.5 and higher (6.0 preferred)
Netscape Navigator 6.0 and higher
Firefox 1.0 and higher
Q: I am still having technical difficulties. What should I do?
A: You may contact Teachers Support Network at 1-877-DO-TEACH (1-877-368-3224) or
email nycsupport@teacherssupportnetwork.com
Q: Since personal information is necessary in order for you to apply, is the application system
a secure website?
A: Yes. The site has an SSL Certificate.
Q: Who can I contact if I need general assistance regarding becoming a teacher in New York
City?
A: Please review the information available on http://www.teachnyc.net. If you still have
questions after reviewing the website, please contact 718-935-4000 or 1-800-TEACH-NYC
(832-2469) outside NY metropolitan area.
