Teacher Application FAQ

1. Why should I list "Other Names" on my application?

Your credentials (transcripts and letters of recommendation) may be under a different name. It allows us to more easily match up your other application materials to your application if we know what other name(s) you have used in the past.

2. Why do you ask about "Middle School Interest" and not elementary or high school interest?

Many certifications include the middle school level, however the applicant may prefer to teach grades other than 6-8. For example, many elementary-certified applicants hold a license to teach Grades 1-8, however they wish to stay in the elementary school and teach up to grade 5. Other applicants might hold a subject area certification, such as math, for grades 6-12, but prefer to teach only high school math, grades 9-12. If you check the "Middle School Interest" box, it lets us know you would like to teach grades 6-8.

3. Do I need to complete a new application if I have applied to the MMSD before?

If you applied in the past year, you do not need to complete a whole new application again. Instead, we can send you a re-enrollment form to update your last application. Please contact Louise Fosdick (608-663-1695) or Beth Weber (608-663-1747) to determine if you need a new application.

4. If I have not yet graduated, what should I put in the "Degree Conferred & Year" box under Educational Background?

Indicate "Expected" and the type of degree (e.g. BA, BS, MA, MS, PhD, etc.). Include the anticipated award date (e.g., "BA expected 5/04 ".)

5. If I have not graduated yet, or if I have graduated but I don't have my certification yet, how should I complete the Teacher Certification area?

The on-line application should allow you to open a drop-down menu for the Area of Certification. Scroll down until you find the certification area in which you will be eligible to be licensed. Click on the appropriate certification area. The computer will automatically insert the proper DPI license code (e.g., if you click on English, it will insert code #300; if you click on PK-3, it will insert #083.)

Complete the Endorsements area the same way. Open the drop-down menu and scroll until you find the appropriate grade level at which you will be certified (e.g., if you click on PK-12, it will insert #22; if you click on grades 9-12, it will insert #29, etc.)

Even if you do not know exactly when your license will expire you still must enter a date. This field must be completed in order to submit the application electronically. If you are applying for a Wisconsin license, in most cases your license will be valid for 5 years. All DPI licenses are issued from July 1 through June 30. So if you are graduating in May 2004 and receiving your license effective July 1, 2004, your expiration date will be 6/30/2009.

The Issuing State field must also be completed. If you do not hold a Wisconsin license yet, indicate "WI - Pending." If you hold a license from another state, indicate which state in this field.

If you have more certifications than will fit in the fields available, use the Additional Information section (later in the application) to indicate other certifications you hold

6. Why must I indicate the number of academic credits I've earned since the award date of my last degree?

If you are hired, this information is cross-referenced with your transcripts to place you accurately on the salary schedule.

7. Why do you ask if there are any certification areas I hold that I do not wish to be considered for?

Many applicants hold more than one certification. In some cases, they prefer to be considered for positions in only certain certification areas. This information allows us to match applicants to available positions of interest to them.

8. Why must I include so much information about my past teaching experience?

If you are hired, this information will be used to calculate your placement on the salary schedule. The percent and length of the contract are important factors in this calculation.

9. Why should I include my military, Peace Corp or VISTA experience?

If you are hired, credit may be given for service in these areas when calculating your placement on the salary schedule.

10. Who should I include as references?

We require a minimum of two references in the Reference section. You should list individuals who can attest to your teaching ability. This should be principals, supervisors and superintendents from districts in which you have taught. If you do not have any teaching experience yet, you should list your cooperating teacher and principal as well as your university/college student teaching supervisor.

It is important that you be sure to include each reference's work and home phone number. Reference checks are often times completed during the summer hiring season. It is imperative that we have a way to reach school staff when school is not in session during the summer. Failure to provide summer contact numbers can delay consideration of your application for a position.

It is also important to include your position title (not the reference's title) when completing this section. (e.g., student teacher, classroom teacher, substitute teacher, etc.).

11. What information should I include in Additional Information?

This section can be used to include any information that is not captured throughout the rest of the application. Include any additional information that would not fit in the Educational Background or Teacher Certification sections. Include any specific training or experience you have had which you feel might be applicable to the position for which you are applying.

12. Is it important to complete the Training and Experience section? Why must I rate myself?

The information you provide in this section is crucial to the referral process (getting your name sent to principals to be considered for vacant positions). The information you provide is downloaded into our applicant system database. When there is a vacancy that requires referrals from the external pool of applicants, the applicants considered are those that best match the requirements of the specific position. We use this training and experience information to match you to positions.

If rating yourself on the Bilingual category, please be sure to indicate in what language (other than English) you have bilingual skills.

The Teaching Strengths area is important to complete if you are certified to teach all subjects in the elementary area (K-8). Although you are certified to teach the core subject areas, it is helpful for us to know in which areas you feel most comfortable (e.g. would you want to be considered for an 8th grade math position?, if you are interested in the primary grades, do you have a strength in reading skills?, etc.). If you are certified in Instrumental Music, are you a strings specialist, or is your strength in band?

MMSD Department of Human Resources
545 W. Dayton Street, Room 133
Madison, WI 53703-1995

MMSD Job Line: (608) 663-1865
TTY (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf): (608) 663-1744
Fax: (608) 204-0346

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) does not discriminate on the basis of religion, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, physical appearance, marital status, disability, arrest or conviction record, membership in the national guard, state defense force, or any reserve component of the military forces of the United States or this state, political belief, sexual orientation, less than honorable discharge, source of income or the fact that an individual is a student.