Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

TEACHING IN OAKLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS
What is a typical class size?
How long does a typical day of teaching last?
What opportunities are available over the summer?
How is the Oakland Unified School District structured?
How safe are the schools?
Why should I become part of Oakland City Teacher Corps?

QUALIFICATIONS
How do I know if I am eligible for Oakland City Teacher Corps?
Can I teach under the Intern Credential option?
Are individuals who have worked as substitute teachers in OUSD eligible for the program?
What should I do to teach in OUSD if I don't have a credential?

APPLICATION PROCESS
How do I apply to join Oakland City Teacher Corps?
How long should my Application Question responses be?
What should I include in my resume?
Can I include letters of recommendation with my application?
Do I need to send transcripts with my application?
What happens after I submit my application?
What happens during an Interview Event?
When and where do interviews take place?

ADMISSION & ENROLLMENT
I wasn't accepted. Can I appeal the decision on my application?
Can I defer acceptance into the program?
Can I reapply to the program next year if I am not accepted?
When does the program actually begin?

YOUR TEACHING POSITION
Where will I be teaching?
How does the process of securing a school position work?
Can I choose where I will teach?
When do I find out where I will be teaching?
Will I be teaching with other teachers in Oakland City Teacher Corps at my school?

TRAINING & ONGOING NETWORK
What is covered during the OCTC Training Institute?

How long is the training?
What kind of support is provided to teachers in Oakland City Teacher Corps?

COMPENSATION / BENEFITS
What is the starting salary for the Oakland teachers?
What employment benefits do teachers in Oakland City Teacher Corps receive?
Will I be paid for training?

TEACHING IN OAKLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS

1. What is a typical class size?
Typical elementary school classes range from 20 to 35 students; middle and high school classes generally range from 30 to 40 students.
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2. How long does a typical day of teaching last?
Schools days are typically about seven hours long. An example of a typical schedule runs from 8:25 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. or 7:55 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., but there is some variation among schools. Teachers also spend time outside of the classroom preparing lessons and grading schoolwork. Corps teachers will often attend credentialing classes, professional development sessions, or faculty meetings after school hours.
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3. What opportunities are available over the summer?
Many teachers elect to teach summer school, although the number of positions is limited.
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4. How is the Oakland Unified School District structured?
The Oakland Unified School District is a 'unified' district because it encompasses all of the public schools in the city, grades K-12, as well as certain programs for older and younger individuals. Our public schools educate a diverse population of around 47,000 students each year - in approximately 100 schools located throughout the city.
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5. How safe are the schools?
We believe that our schools are safe. We encourage concerned candidates to visit the areas in which they may teach during a regular school day to determine their own level of comfort with the environment.  As is true in any city, community members should take basic safety precautions and use common sense to avoid situations such as walking alone after dark or in unfamiliar areas.
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6. Why should I become part of Oakland City Teacher Corps?
Your knowledge and experience can help ensure that every child in the Oakland Unified School District has access to a high quality education. By joining OCTC you will have the opportunity to become part of a movement that has a direct and immediate impact on the lives of students in our city and students who most need you. As a teacher, you are the single most important factor in raising student achievement. Through this program, you will join a network of committed professionals dedicated to improving public schools.
This is your opportunity to take action and to make an even greater impact.

For more information on benefits and reasons to apply, click here. 
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QUALIFICATIONS
 
1 . How do I know if I am eligible for Oakland City Teacher Corps?
Applicants to the program should review the requirements laid out on the website, to check if they meet Eligibility for Oakland  City Teacher Corps .
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2.  Can I teach under the Intern Credential option ?
If you are already enrolled in an OUSD-approved Intern Credential program, currently nearing its completion, and have had relevant prior teaching experience you may be considered for a teaching position with Oakland City Teacher Corps.
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3. Are individuals who have worked as substitute teachers in OUSD eligible for the program?
If you have worked as a substitute teacher in OUSD and you hold a current California teaching credential or a credential from another state that is eligible for state reciprocity, or will hold an Intern Credential by June, 2008, you are eligible.
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4.  What should I do to teach in OUSD if I don't have a credential?
Although you do not qualify for Oakland City Teacher Corps if you don’t have a credential, you may still be eligible for the Oakland Teaching Fellows program.  This program is specifically designed to provide training and support to individuals who have had no education coursework or experience.  Visit the Oakland Teaching Fellows program website for more information.
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APPLICATION PROCESS

1. How do I apply to join Oakland City Teacher Corps?
An application consists of a complete online application form, a resume, and responses to application questions. Visit the Application Process  section of the website for details. Click here to apply now.
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2. How long should my Application Question responses be?
Your Application Question responses should be 200-400 words each. The Application Questions provide us with information not captured elsewhere in the application. We use these responses to evaluate a candidate’s writing and critical thinking skills and, more importantly, to gain a sense of commitment to teaching the students of the Oakland Unified School District. Note:  Please do not substitute a 'Philosophy of Education' or a personal statement for your responses as  we are asking you to respond to specific prompts in order to gauge your commitment to teaching in a high need school in Oakland. For more information about the Application Questions, click here.
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3. What should I include in my resume?
Your resume should provide details about your education and professional experience, highlighting those jobs, activities, and awards that display your excellence and reflect achievements and concrete results.
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4. Can I include letters of recommendation with my application?
No. Because of the sheer number of applications we receive, we are unable to consider documents or materials other than those required for a complete application (application form, resume, and Application Question responses). Materials that are not required will be discarded. However, we do ask for references' names and contact information on the application, who we may contact to receive further insight on our applicants.
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5. Do I need to send transcripts with my application?
Although official transcripts are not required with the initial Oakland City Teacher Corps application, acceptance into the program is contingent upon our receipt of one official, sealed transcript from each institution attended.  If selected for an interview, you will need to bring an official transcript showing your conferred Bachelor's degree to your interview. You will also be required to submit a copy of a valid teaching credential at the time of the interview. Click here for more detailed information.
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6. What happens after I submit my application?
All applications are reviewed for completeness and eligibility. Those applicants who demonstrate potential for success as teachers in the Oakland City Teacher Corps are invited to interview. (You will also be notified if you are not invited to interview.) You should receive an interview notification within two weeks of our receipt of your application.
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7. What happens during an Interview Event?
Candidates will be placed in groups of up to ten, along with one to two Oakland City Teacher Corps interviewers. An Interview Event consists of both a group session and an individual interview. Each candidate will be asked to participate in a group discussion, write about a specific educational scenario, and engage in a one-on-one interview with a program interviewer. More information about the Interview Event will be provided in advance.
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8. When and where do interviews take place?
As OCTC grants selected candidates a job guarantee, all interviews are conducted in person in Oakland.  Most Interview Events are held on weekends, and candidates should plan to sign up for one of the scheduled Interview Events posted on this website.  Oakland City Teacher Corps cannot hold interviews outside of Oakland and cannot assist with transportation costs associated with interviews.  Click here to view scheduled interview dates.
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ADMISSION AND ENROLLMENT

 1. I wasn't accepted. Can I appeal the decision on my application?
No. All applications are thoroughly reviewed during our rigorous application process, and admissions decisions are final. Because the district receives an exceptional number of applications each year, we are unable to re-evaluate individual applications or provide personalized feedback to applicants who have not been accepted into the program.
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2. Can I defer acceptance into the program?
Candidates may not defer acceptance into the 2008 program; however, they may reapply to begin teaching in the fall of 2009.
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3. Can I reapply to the program next year if I am not accepted?
Yes, but in order to be considered, you must be able to demonstrate improvements in your candidacy since your previous application. The process for applicants who are re-applying is no different than that for applicants applying for the first time. Because the needs of the school system change from year to year, even those applicants who were admitted to the program in a previous year and declined our offer of admission or withdrew from the program must reapply to begin teaching the following year.
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4. When does the program actually begin?
The Oakland City Teacher Corps Training Institute typically begins in early August and runs for one week. Corps Teachers will also attend professional development activities coordinated by the district and their school sites. The District will provide more information about specific dates when OUSD solidifies the summer calendar.
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YOUR TEACHING POSITION

1. Where will I be teaching?
Teachers in the Oakland City Teacher Corps will teach in high-need schools.  In these schools, students will greatly benefit from the effective instruction of highly-qualified Corps Teachers.  Corps Teachers do not teach in charter schools.
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2. How does the process of securing a school  position work?
The Oakland City Teacher Corps (OCTC) program will help facilitate opportunities to interview with principals - and sometimes district hiring personnel - for school-level jobs. In some cases Corps Teachers will generate their own leads as well. Corps Teachers in good standing are guaranteed a position within the District.

It is the mission of OCTC to staff schools in high-need areas, and all candidates should be prepared to teach wherever they are most needed and can have the greatest impact on student achievement. Although candidates will have the opportunity to express their geographical preferences, school placements are driven primarily by school needs and by each candidate's eligibility. Corps Teachers must be extremely flexible about their teaching positions as Corps Teachers may also be assigned to schools.
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3. Can I choose where I will teach?
The Oakland City Teacher Corps (OCTC) program facilitates opportunities for teachers to meet with various school leaders. When interviewing, it is the responsibility of the candidate to present him/herself as a compelling candidate. Corps Teachers may also be assigned to particular schools by school networks or OUSD Human Resources. For more information about where Corps teachers will teach, click here.
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4. When will I find out where I will be teaching?
The placement process takes place throughout the summer through the beginning of the school year. There are many variables involved in identifying and finalizing specific teaching assignments, so the process can be quite time consuming. You will receive more information about this process if you are accepted into the program.
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5. Will I be teaching with other teachers in the Oakland City Teacher Corps at my school?
The Oakland City Teacher Corps program works with schools to cluster teachers in the same schools or neighborhoods whenever possible. However, assignments are due in large part to District need and the location of un-staffed positions; for this reason, we ask candidates to be extremely flexible about their teaching assignment.
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TRAINING & ONGOING NETWORK

1. What is covered during the OCTC Training Institute?

OCTC Training Institute is an intensive one-week collection of workshops, seminars and collaborative planning activities carefully planned to build on teachers’ current knowledge and skills.  Session objectives are focused on areas such as creating big goals and investing students, using high impact teaching strategies, creating a positive classroom culture, writing engaging and standards-based lessons using Oakland-specific curriculum, assessment of student progress and rules, consequences and procedures.  Other topics will vary according to Corps Teachers’ identified areas of need and interest as well as District specific needs and adopted curriculum.  Additionally, Corps Teachers are given several opportunities to choose from varying workshop topics and to familiarize themselves with District structures and personnel.

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2. How long is training?
Training for 2008 Corps Teachers will be held during the summer- tentatively scheduled for the beginning of August (exact dates to be determined.). The Training Institute is one full-week of workshops, seminars, and other professional development activities.
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3. What kind of support is provided to teachers in the Oakland City Teacher Corps?
Upon entering the program, the Oakland City Teacher Corps office assists with logistical support, such as helping teachers manage the process of becoming full OUSD employees, provided that they meet pre-employment requirements.

Teachers often look to develop their ongoing support network at the school level. Although every situation is different, teachers in Oakland City Teacher Corps may collaborate with co-teachers at their school, a program specialist, instructional coaches, assistant principals, principals, a grade- or subject-level team, and other Corps Teachers.

School assignment and summer training events facilitate connections among teachers in Oakland City Teacher Corps who often teach the same subjects or are clustered together in particular schools or areas of the city. Teachers can draw on these connections as a resource for planning, reflection, and shared encouragement as they strive for excellence in their individual classrooms.

Interns and teachers working to clear their credential also benefit from resources provided by OUSD's New Teacher Support and Development (NTSD) program.
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COMPENSATION / BENEFITS

1. What is the starting salary for Oakland teachers?
The starting salary and schedule for teachers in Oakland City Teacher Corps is the same as that for all teachers in Oakland Unified. For teachers with a Bachelor's degree and no other coursework or previous teaching experience, the starting salary for 2007-2008 is $39,456. Salary is scaled according to coursework and teaching experience. Teachers with a master's degree or previous teaching experience may be eligible to start higher on the pay scale. The complete salary schedule can be viewed by clicking here.
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2. What employment benefits do teachers in Oakland City Teacher Corps receive?
Teachers in Oakland City Teacher Corps are eligible for the same benefits as all other Oakland Unified teachers, including health insurance and a pension plan. For more information about benefits for teachers, please click here to visit the benefits page on the OUSD website.
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3. Will I be paid for training? 
Teachers in Oakland City Teacher Corps who successfully complete the one-week Training Institute will receive a pre-tax stipend of $400.
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