Recruitment & Selection FAQs
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What do I do if I'm a certified teacher moving to Houston from another state/country?
Please refer to the section of the SBEC website that provides an explanation on how to become a teacher in Texas.
How do I become certified if I'm not already?
Visit the Effective Teacher Fellowship ACP site for details.
Does HISD hire from outside of its own Alternative Certification Program?
Yes, we do. Although we may preference our own Effective Teacher Fellowship ACP candidate first, we do hire from a variety of 20+ ACP programs throughout the state of Texas.
Is an ESL certification required to supplement an EC-6 or 4-8 certification?
No. It is not required, but it is strongly recommended.
I have heard there are changes to EC-4 certification in Texas. What does this mean for me?
The EC-4 TExES has been phased out and will no longer be issued after 08/11/2011. This means candidates with successful EC-4 tests scores and no classroom teaching experiences must complete the EC-6 generalist exam to receive an employment offer. Please contact your alternative certification program concerning test approval for EC-6.
How do I submit/upload my own resume, cover letter, certification documents and other supporting documentation?
All documentation pertinent to your job application should be submitted through the application system. A member of Human Resources will contact you if additional information is required. Please do not mail or e-mail other documentation to the recruitment staff or the the recruiter e-mail account.
Return to topWhat are the companies that evaluate foreign transcripts?
Please refer to the SBEC Web site for this information:
How do I become a teacher if I am from a country outside of the U.S.? I heard that HISD would help me get a legal status in the USA.
HISD will not sponsor visas for new teacher applicants for the 2013-2014 school year. Please monitor this site for details.
Now that I have completed the interview with a recruiter/HR, what's the next step?
Expect an email informing you of your status. Once in the Teacher Candidate Pool, make sure that your reference and contact information is up to date, you possess a current social security card, and you have an up to date government-issued photo ID.
What is a recruiter's job?
A recruiter’s job is to seek the best candidates who are likely to be a strong fit for a particular position that will meet the needs of the students of the district.
What can a recruiter do for me?
A recruiter evaluates candidates to determine whether or not a candidate is the best fit. A recruiter’s job is to refer people to whatever job is the best fit.
HISD offers recruitment incentives for teachers in hard-to-staff positions. In addition, teachers can earn up to $13,000 in performance-based pay through the ASPIRE Award Program.
Can the recruiters help me get a transfer to another job/campus/department in HISD?
Recruiters do not assist with the transfer process. Please contact your HR Business Partner for transfer assistance.
What's the best way to get in contact with principals?
Make sure your contact information is up to date so that when principals attempt to contact you, they have the most accurate information available. Once in the Teacher Candidate Pool, attend invitation only placement events to meet principals for personal interviews.
What kinds of technology, professional development, curriculum, or mentor supports can I expect at HISD?
- Technology varies by campus, but generally HISD prides itself on its technological support. All school buildings are wireless campuses, and most schools have computer labs and/or science labs. Every classroom has computers, and many have ELMOS and/or Smart Boards. We have vertical and horizontal support systems in place, where you will not only receive assistance from the levels above and below you, but also assistance from your peers.
- We have one of the most extensive calendars of professional development available to help you enhance your skill set as an instructor.
- The curriculum is organized in relation to the TEKS to ensure lessons are aligned with standardized expectations. Other benefits of HISD systems include the ability for parents to check student grades online (coming soon!), an online calling system that contacts you with special updates, a disaster response line, and an employee portal where you can access your pay stubs, vacations hours, and benefits.
- All new teachers will receive a mentor upon being hired at a campus. HISD also offers support in the form of Teacher Development Specialists (TDS) who provide individual and team coaching and support for continuous improvement of teaching and learning.
What is the process of employment at HISD? How long does it take a principal to make an offer and for you to complete the paperwork in HR?
The process for employment varies greatly based on a number of factors (retention, attrition, campus needs). Once an offer is made, on average, it takes approximately one to five business days to complete the hiring process.
Why do certain schools not attend the job fairs, even though they posted openings on the Web site?
As you may know, school administrators maintain very demanding schedules, and as a result, they are not always able to attend all scheduled job fairs.
I heard HISD needs teachers, so why am I still looking for a job?
HISD only selects the top candidates to serve our students. Although HISD is looking for teachers, we have a rigorous screening process, so please ensure that you have met all requirements before attempting to apply. Additionally, although there are occasional openings elsewhere, the areas with the greatest need for certified teachers typically include bilingual education, Special Education and the content areas of secondary math and secondary science. To learn how HISD is processing applications, please review the section "Selection Process" in the Helpful Information Index.
