Due Date: 12/23/22

Time Allocation: 1-2 hours  

Cost: $0

Note: The onboarding survey exists so we can collect information about you that is important for certification, placement, and to get to know you better! In the survey, we ask you to acknowledge and agree to our testing and regional policies to help set clear expectations. It is crucial that you understand this information as you commit to joining our region in pursuit of educational equity for students in Houston. 

Please complete the survey at this link: Onboarding Survey & Policy Agreement 

You should allow 1-2 hours to read through the policies outlined in the survey. The survey must be completed in one sitting. 

Due Date: 12/23/21

Time Allocation: 10-15 minutes

Cost: $0

Note: To make sure that you are able to stay connected to our region and your cohort, we have created a Slack channel just for the '23 Houston Cohort! Slack is a professional group chatting platform that we will use throughout your onboarding journey to share ideas and insights. All action items will be shared as reminders via our email blasts but listed here on your Houston Onboarding Hub along with your CM facing tracker. We’ll use Slack for ongoing conversations, individual questions, and building community. Remember that slack is a TFA nationally used platform, so please treat the conversations with professional engagement. You can access Slack via a free app for your phone or computer, or through your browser. If you have any questions please feel free to contact your OC or HOUconnect@teachforamerica.org.

Due Date: 12/23/22

Time Allocation: 20 minutes

Cost: $0

What is "Onboarding" and what can you expect during this time? Watch this call to find out! Then, to ensure we have key information about you and your needs, please complete our brief Onboarding Survey. We recommend that you complete these items before Cohort Call #1: Onboarding 101. 

After you watch the recording complete Recording Acknowledgement Form

Zoom Links for All Cohort Calls HERE

Due Date: 12/23/22

Time Allocation: up to 8 hours, depending on exam

Cost: $0

In order to take TExES exam, you need to get approval from your Alternative Certification Program. Once you complete the study requirements for each exam, your ACP will grant you permission to take the exam on the back end of the Pearson test scheduling website. The following chart outlines the study requirements by exam as well as deadlines. Please also reference the How to complete Study Requirements, How to Submit Study Requirements, and Next Steps sections to ensure you are on track to getting test approval.  

Certification & Test Prep Information 

Due Date: 1/10/23

Time Allocation: 30 minutes

240 Cost: $0

What is an OC?

Your Onboarding Coordinator (OC) is your go-to person throughout your onboarding experience! Here are some things your OC will support you with: 

• Hiring and certification

• Completing onboarding items

• Your personal leadership journey and motivation

• Questions and resources for the transition to Houston process

Due Date: 1/11/23

Time Allocation: 1 hour

Cost: $0

In case you missed the required Cohort Call, we have recorded. Please complete the acknowledgment form to confirm you have watched. 

Recording

Due Date: 1/8/23

Time Allocation: 20-30 minutes

Cost: $0

Our first We are so excited to get to know you better! For this video, you are encouraged to use the video-making software of your choice such as TikTok, Reels, or just recording on your phone or computer. Feel free to be as creative (we are here for TikTok trends) or make the video as simple as you’d like. 

Also, if you prefer, you can upload a slide and meet your peers and introduce yourself by adding your headshot and filling out the questions on your slide example here.  Choose a photo that you would be comfortable sharing with your entire corps, alumni, and our staff - we look forward to getting to know you better!

Due Date: 1/8/23

Time Allocation: 8 hours on 240 Tutoring + Passed Diagnostic

Cost: $0

You will receive access to 240 Tutoring on the dates listed below. Access will come in the form of an email directly from 240 and will go to the email address you used when applying to TFA. Please check your junk/spam folder if you do not receive an email from 240 in your primary inbox. 

You will have access to 240 for 120 days. Most corps members will take their exams within this time frame. If you need an extension, please reach out to your OC. Extensions will only be granted for extenuating circumstances.

Due Date: 1/25/23

Time Allocation: 1 hour

Cost: $0

In case you missed the Cohort Call: You can view the ppt deck here

Due Date: 2/26/23

Time Allocation: 1-2 hours

Cost: $0

One of your first steps toward attaining your teaching license will be enrolling in your Alternative Certification Program (ACP). Enrolling in your ACP program will allow you to work towards certification and teach while meeting those requirements. We work with two ACP Programs, HISD and Teaching Excellence (TE). Depending on which school partner you are assigned will determine which ACP Program you will work with. 

Please Note: Teach For America does not determine or control any certification cost accrued with your Alternative Certification Program. 

Due Date: 1/15/23

Time Allocation: 30 minutes 

Cost: $136.00

Reporting your score:

We should have your test scores no later than 24 hours after you receive them.

1. Immediately after your test, report your raw score by uploading to your Onboarding Action Items no later than 24-48 hours after receiving.  For Special Education and Spanish exams, you will not receive a raw score. 

2. As soon as you receive confirmation of your official score (via an email from or a score report downloaded from your account), upload again to your Onboarding Action Items. 

Please Note: One out of three corps members take more than one test (either the same test more than once or two different tests). Retesting is a normal part of the onboarding journey, so if you do not pass on the first attempt, please still let us know your score so that we can assist you with next steps. We're here to support you!

Due Date: 1/29/23

Time Allocation: 8 hours

Cost: $0

In order to take TExES exams, you need to get approval from your Alternative Certification Program. Once you complete the study requirements for each exam, your ACP will grant you permission to take the exam on the back end of the Pearson test scheduling website. The following chart outlines the study requirements by exam as well as deadlines. Please also reference the How to Complete Study Requirements, How to Submit Study Requirements, and Next Steps sections to ensure you are on track to getting test approval. 

Due Date: 3/12/23

Time Allocation: 30 minutes 

Cost: $116.00

Reporting your score:

We should have your test scores no later than 24 hours after you receive them.

1. Immediately after your test, report your raw score by uploading to your Onboarding Action Items no later than 24-48 hours after receiving.  For Special Education and Spanish exams, you will not receive a raw score. 

2. As soon as you receive confirmation of your official score (via an email from or a score report downloaded from your account), upload again to your Onboarding Action Items. 

Please Note: One out of three corps members take more than one test (either the same test more than once or two different tests). Retesting is a normal part of the onboarding journey, so if you do not pass on the first attempt, please still let us know your score so that we can assist you with next steps. We're here to support you!

Due Date: 4/2/23

Time Allocation: 8 hours

Cost: $0

Reporting your score:

We should have your test scores no later than 24 hours after you receive them.

1. Immediately after your test, report your raw score by uploading to your Onboarding Action Items no later than 24-48 hours after receiving.  For Special Education and Spanish exams, you will not receive a raw score. 

2. As soon as you receive confirmation of your official score (via an email from or a score report downloaded from your account), upload again to your Onboarding Action Items. 

Please Note: One out of three corps members take more than one test (either the same test more than once or two different tests). Retesting is a normal part of the onboarding journey, so if you do not pass on the first attempt, please still let us know your score so that we can assist you with next steps. We're here to support you! 

Due Date: 4/16/23

Time Allocation: 8 hours

Cost: $116.00

It’s time to register for your TExES exam, which is one of the most critical steps to securing your teaching position!  Every corps member must take and pass a content area TExES exam in order to enter the classroom in the fall. There are several steps required to register for your TExES content exam, so you must follow the steps in the order listed below to successfully complete your registration.

Due Date: 4/12/23

Time Allocation: 1 hour

Cost: $0

In case you missed the required Cohort Call, we have recorded. Please complete the acknowledgment form to confirm you have watched. 

Registration Link

Recording Acknowledgement Form

Our first Team Houston cohort call will be on November 15. These Cohort calls are a required part of onboarding, and designed to provide space to build relationships, learn about the Houston region and required action steps, and ask questions of our team and your peers. Please communicate with your OC or email us at HOUconnect@teachforamerica.org if you have any inflexible scheduling conflicts. 

Zoom Links for All Cohort Calls HERE

Due Date: 4/23/23

Time Allocation: 10 minutes

Cost: $0

We use your headshots for a variety of purposes! We may share your photo with other corps members, alumni, TFA Houston staff, donors, and on social media. 

Due Date: 4/23/23

Time Allocation: 10 minutes

Cost: $0

Resumes are a crucial part of the hiring process. You will need to upload an up to date resume to your portfolio. Before doing this, check to ensure your resume meets the following criteria:

• Highlight your leadership and specific skills for each role

• Use Active voice verbs

• Specify your assigned certification, as well as any specific interests you have (ex. EC - 6 Certification, interested in math and science). Reference this template or this example resume for guidance. To use the template, make a copy in google drive. 

• You may use your current resume format as long as it meets the guidance specified above.

• Name your resume as FirstName.LastName.Resume (ex. Tavia.Talton.Resume)

• Upload your resume as a Word Document. (We will make it a PDF before sending it to school partners!)

• Once your resume meets the above criteria, upload it to the Onboarding Action Items form. From there, your onboarding coach will review it and contact you about any revisions that should be made before its use in the hiring process.

Some highlights to consider around your resume…

• Your resume should be no longer than one page in length (unless you have more than ten years professional work experience)

• Please ensure that the phone number and email is current.

Due Date: 1/8/23

Time Allocation: 30 minutes

Cost: $0

AmeriCorps, a federal agency, brings people together to tackle the country’s most pressing challenges through national service and volunteering. AmeriCorps members serve with organizations dedicated to the improvement of communities. Find out more about AmeriCorps here and read FAQs here.