NYC Teaching Fellows Teacher Interview Questions
& Process

I applied, but then decided to withdraw, and emailed NYC Teaching Fellow about my decision. NYCTF made numerous emails to me and encouraged me to continue the process. It was well past the last cutoff date and NYCTF could not reach me through my phone (or maybe they just said that because a few days later they called and my phone worked fine). Finally I relented, and agreed to a phone interview. A few days after the phone interview I was emailed to check the website, and was informed that I was not accepted. My gut feeling is that NYCTF likes to promote themselves as highly selective. Just as the Ivy League Schools encourage almost anyone to apply (despite knowing that the student is not qualified, or that there are no slots left), I felt like I was used by NYCTF to make the corporation appear more selective. My recommendation is not to play their game because chances are you won't be called. They claim to want to hire minorities and under served populations, but it seems they are hooked on those IVY league degrees, despite their claims of being all inclusive in hiring. Again, I made it clear that I did not want to continue the application process, but NYCTF literally hounded me until I relented. I was then told after the phone interview that I was not selected and that I could never apply again. DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME, it is a game just like colleges to make NYCTF appear more selective. I had all the qualifications, and answered all the questions correctly (I have an extensive background in psychology, social work and nursing - believe me I know what they are looking for).

The NYCTF application and hiring process is lengthy. It took six months from my initial contact with the fellows program to my first day of teaching. The first part of recruitment is quick. After the application review, candidates invited to move forward are scheduled for an assessment and performance task event. This is a group activity. Candidates are asked to prepare a brief lesson plan in their chosen subject. On the day of the assessment, candidates first take a simple quantitative test that assesses critical thinking skills. Then, candidates break into smaller groups to give their 5-minute lesson plans to NYCTF observers and other candidates. Be ready with your materials and be well-rehearsed to stand out. Next, candidates are given a school-related problem and asked to create a presentation with solutions for the school's PTA. This presentation is very time-limited, and everyone is expected to speak. Immediately after, there's a short one-on-one interview with an NYCTF interviewer. They'll ask about points from your application essay and inquire about your motivation and teaching philosophy. You'll also receive immediate feedback on your mini-lesson and be asked to modify and re-teach it for the panel. You'll have a few minutes to plan and one minute to re-do the lesson. I recommend keeping your adaptation simple. I was accepted as a NYCTF Teaching fellow in Spring 2013. This review should be helpful as you prepare for the recruiting process. Be patient! There are many paths to becoming a great teacher. Best wishes!

The interview has two parts: online and in-person. First, you'll answer questions online. Then, you'll give a 5-minute lesson plan in person. After your lesson plan, the interviewers will give you feedback. They'll then ask you to redo two minutes of your lesson plan incorporating their advice. Just be yourself at the interview and follow all the rules. Make sure to listen carefully to all directions given.