Our team has been working hard on something we think you’re going to love. If you’ve ever thought about becoming a teacher, you probably know you have to get certified first. But how, exactly?

TeachDFW can take the guesswork out of your teacher application process. With free 1-on-1 advice, a checklist app that keeps you on top of deadlines, and fee reimbursements, you’re closer than ever to getting your teaching certification from an excellent program.

Sign up for a TeachDFW account to get started.

All the good stuff!

We’ll set you up with a teacher in the field to receive free 1-on-1 advice at any stage of your teaching journey. We believe that the best feedback and support comes from people who have been there before—whose expertise is directly related to your experience and trajectory.

To explore teacher preparation programs and keep track of their application deadlines, we developed a checklist app that focuses on the steps that matter. From writing your admissions essay to submitting transcripts, use this app on any device to stick to a schedule and follow best practices along the way.

We couldn’t promise “all the good stuff” without including fee reimbursements. We know it can be a challenge to afford a quality education. Sign up for a TeachDFW account to get up to $100 covered towards your application and testing expenses.

 

As an organization devoted to helping people explore and develop in the teaching profession, we are constantly speaking with prospective teachers about their experiences. In our research, we consistently heard that the application process is confusing:

• “I’ve done research [on teacher preparation programs], but all the information I’ve found has been piecemeal.”
• “I sat on hold with one program for half an hour to get a question answered.”
• “I heard I have to take a test, but I don’t know which test to take.”
• “A checklist would be really helpful.”

It doesn’t take much to realize that there was an opportunity here to address these pain points. In other words, how could we help put the puzzle pieces together?

More than 30 percent of respondents requested a checklist.

CPO John Hsu found, "In our survey to prospective teachers, more than 30 percent of respondents requested a checklist or step-by-step guide to help them organize all the tasks related to applying to a teacher preparation program, registering for the right standardized tests, and meeting other certification requirements. It immediately became clear that we have an opportunity to solve a major barrier in becoming a teacher."

So, we built a checklist app. It started with a Google Sheet, a “low-fi” version that early adopters used to keep track of their applications. Not to toot our own horn, but they loved it:

• “I’m so glad you guys are doing this. It’s a miracle.”
• “Please don't ever hesitate to shoot me a note and ask how the process is coming along. Reminders are good.”

We partnered directly with teacher preparation programs to continue customizing the specific steps required in each application. This set of tools will help you investigate the profession and apply to teaching certification programs, so that we can all increase the number of excellent teachers in the workforce.

In other words: Applying to a teacher preparation program doesn’t have to be hard! You just need to be equipped properly.

We created these services to simplify the path towards becoming a a teacher.

UI Designer Catie Charnock explains, "We created Become a Teacher services to simplify the path towards becoming a teacher. Our main goal was to remove the guesswork out of the application process and most importantly reduce the bounce rate of prospects. To accomplish this, we designed the experience to be minimal with clean and clear calls to action in order to keep the information digestible for mass consumption. After several rounds of testing we found that not only would an app like this empower and motivate prospective teachers, it would also give them the toolbox they needed to successfully apply and start their careers."

Together, we’re breaking down the highest hurdle towards becoming a teacher, opening up the profession to talented individuals with a diversity of skill sets.

Are you one of them?

Own the application process. Sign up for a TeachDFW account to put yourself on track to becoming the best teacher you can be.

Not quite ready to dive in?

• Discover what makes teaching in Dallas-Fort Worth so smart.
• Talk to a TeachDFW coach for free to find out what teaching is really like.