Teacher (Alternative Certification Program)

Job Description

About Company

The Dallas ISD (Independent School District) Alternative Certification Program (ACP) is an initiative designed to attract and prepare new educators for the teaching profession. It aims to develop candidates through a focused, interactive, and rigorous approach, leading to state examination testing. The program offers unique benefits like FREE Tuition* and GUARANTEED employment upon successful completion for specific content areas within Dallas ISD.

Job Description, Detailed

This is a comprehensive program designed to certify individuals as teachers in Texas, structured into three distinct phases:

Phase I: Content Examination Preparation & Virtual Video-Based Classroom Observations
• Duration: September 2, 2025 – November 7, 2025.
• Activities:
• Mandatory attendance at face-to-face test preparation sessions.
• Participation in all program orientations upon admission.
• Engagement in standards-based, candidate-focused, performance-based, interactive, rigorous, and assessed activities.
• Adherence to all requirements outlined in the Dallas ISD Alternative Certification Candidate Guidebook, program offer letter, and syllabus.
• Completion of performance benchmarks outlined in the video-based classroom observations syllabus.
• Passing state examinations aligned to the chosen certification pathways.
• Submission of in-person and virtual-based video observation reflections for potential award of 50 observation hours.
• Adherence to the Educator’s Code of Ethics.

Phase II: Pre-Service Training
• Duration: November 12, 2025 – December 18, 2025 (4 weeks).
• Activities:
• Mandatory attendance at face-to-face preparation sessions.
• Participation in all standards-based, candidate-focused, performance-based, interactive, rigorous, and assessed activities.
• Completion of all performance benchmarks outlined in training.
• Adherence to the Educator’s Code of Ethics.
• Preparation for the TExES Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 examination.
• Passing the PPR EC-12 examination prior to internship.
• Training focused on innovative approaches to teaching (both in-person and virtual instruction).
• Interview preparation and guidance.
• Adherence to requirements outlined in the pre-service training syllabus and the program’s candidate guidebook.
• Completion of Dallas ISD fingerprinting and background check requirements.
• Securing a teacher assignment in Dallas ISD for the one-year internship upon release by the program.

Phase III: Classroom Internship
• Duration: January 2026 – January 2027 (one year).
• Responsibilities & Activities (as an intern teacher):
• Participate in all candidate in-service training aligned to standards-based, candidate-focused, performance-based, interactive, rigorous, and assessed activities.
• Adhere to requirements outlined in the program’s candidate guidebook and all District/campus policies.
• Regular and positive interaction with an assigned field experiences facilitator and program manager.
• Participation in coaching and feedback sessions aligned with the Dallas ISD Teacher Excellence Initiative (TEI) rubric.
• Receive a favorable recommendation from the campus principal and program for state standard certification.
• Develop and implement lesson plans fulfilling district curriculum requirements, showing written evidence of preparation.
• Prepare lessons accommodating diverse student learning styles.
• Present subject matter according to guidelines from the Texas Education Agency, Board of Trustee policies, and administrative regulations.
• Establish efficient classroom management procedures and maintain standards of pupil behavior.
• Establish a system of student evaluation within prescribed guidelines.
• Continually evaluate and record student progress, reporting to parents as needed.
• Teach within the prescribed course of study for the subject area and grade level.
• Understand and plan lessons leading to subject area objectives, responsible for written lesson plans for substitutes.
• Provide varied learning experiences using diverse media and methods to motivate students.
• Identify pupil needs and cooperate with other professional staff in assessing and resolving health, attitude, and learning problems.
• Availability for counseling with students and parents before and after school.
• Share responsibility for interpreting educational programs to the community (e.g., open houses, PTA meetings).
• Cooperate with the principal for performance evaluation based on district guidelines.
• Maintain accurate student records; compile, maintain, and file all required reports and documents.
• Perform all other assigned tasks and duties.
• Regular and punctual attendance at the worksite is required.

Additional Requirements & Information:
• TOEFL-iBT: If a bachelor’s degree is from a non-U.S. country, candidates must pass all four parts of the TOEFL-iBT with specific minimum scores (Reading 18-23, Listening 17-21, Speaking 20-24, Writing 17-23).
• Preliminary Criminal History Evaluation (PCHE): A voluntary, non-binding evaluation of eligibility for a Texas educator certificate based on self-reported criminal history is available for a $50 fee via the TEA website. Note that a conviction during the internship may result in ineligibility for certification.

Ineligible for the Dallas ISD AC Teacher Program:
• Applicants already holding a Texas teacher certificate.
• Applicants who have completed another educator preparation program in the same certification field (Dallas ISD AC Program does not accept other program coursework hours).
• Applicants employed for three years in a public school under a permit or probationary certificate.
• The program does not calculate GPAs for institutions of higher education, review the last 60 hours of coursework, or accept master’s coursework in lieu of not meeting the required minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA.

Admission Eligibility Criteria:
• Online Application submission.
• Professional Resume.
• Bachelor’s degree conferred by a regionally accredited institution of higher education.
• An overall Grade Point Average of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale for the bachelor’s degree.
• Completion of a virtual mock lesson.
• Completion of Background Check & Fingerprinting.
• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Have a favorable TExES exam history.
• Submission of two (2) official undergraduate transcripts:
• One set opened by the applicant and uploaded to the online TMS application.
• Second set sent unopened directly to the Dallas ISD AC department (or emailed directly from the universities) at alternativecertification@dallasisd.org or mailed to:
Dallas ISD Alternative Certification Program
9400 N Central Expressway, Suite 1400
Dallas, TX 75231

The program currently seeks candidates for the following content areas:
• Core Subjects EC-6 with Science of Teaching Reading/Bilingual
• Core Subjects EC-6 with Science of Teaching Reading/ESL Supplemental
• English Language Arts and Reading 7-12/ESL Supplemental
• Math 7-12
• Special Education Specialist EC-12