FAQs and Success Tips
Tips for Success
A GUIDE TO COMPLETING YOUR FULL APPLICATION FORM
Tell us about yourself. The online application is a way for you to tell us more about yourself: Who you are, what you’ve accomplished, and what you hope to do in the future. With the goal of having a diverse and well-rounded cohort, we take in applicants from a variety of backgrounds. Highlight your skills, leadership experiences, and notable accomplishments. When evaluating applications, we consider all factors including your personal, academic, work, extracurricular, and recreational experiences.
Reflect on your experiences. You will be asked to write a few short essays about your insights and significant events in your life. Think deeply about your experiences and how they affect your personal values, decisions, and outlook in life.
Be specific. We know that no story is simple, but given the limited space in the application, we would like to understand your experiences as clearly as possible. There will be a word limit in the essays, so think about which details are most significant for showcasing and highlight only the most important aspects of your story.
Proofread before submitting. Before you submit your application, you will be given a chance to review it. Do so thoroughly! Proofread your essay (twice even!) to make sure that you are submitting your best possible application!
HOW TO SUCCEED IN VIRTUAL ASSESSMENT CENTER
GENERAL TIPS
Be prepared. Ensure a venue with strong internet. Make sure you have strong, stable internet connection, a webcam, and microphone. We suggest you conduct your vAC at a place that is quiet and is conducive to speaking with a virtual group and conducting a teaching demo. Have your mobile phone ready (and fully charged!) in case there are technical issues.
Dress for success. Wear business casual attire that you feel comfortable working in.
Get enough rest. The vAC is a full-day event (6+ hours) where you will be participating in multiple activities, so you will need all the focus and energy you can get.
Submit your forms on time (or early). Before the vAC you will be given a few short tasks and further details on what you need to prepare. Accomplish these things on time to avoid the stress of cramming the night before.
Be on time. In the spirit of professionalism, we run on strict schedules. To avoid being late, make sure that you have all the resources and materials you need the night before.
Be yourself! This is an opportunity for us to get to know you better and vice versa. Come to the vAC ready to share what you have to offer, and remain open to the experiences and people you will encounter there.
TEACHING DEMO
Prepare your materials. You may use all sorts of materials that you believe will help you teach the lesson best. Make sure these are fully ready by the day of your vAC, because once vAC starts you will not have time during the day to work on them.
Practice! There will be a strict 10-minute time limit to your Teaching Demo. There will be a strict 10-minute time limit to your Teaching Demo. In that time you should be able to set up and teach the full lesson plan. Pay attention to timing and make sure that you are able to accomplish everything within the time limit. Make sure your materials and activities can work around the limitation of webcam-sharing via computer. We understand that this will be trickier than conducting a traditional teaching demo in-person, but we challenge our vAC candidates to do their best and find creative ways around the limitations.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
If I am not able to complete the vAC requirements by the deadline, am I still allowed to participate? We look for candidates who have the ability to lead oneself; this includes the ability to manage multiple responsibilities and deliver requirements on time. Should you have concerns on your AC requirements, reach out as soon as possible to the Admissions Committee.
What if I have an emergency and can’t make it? Let us know as soon as possible if you cannot make it to your scheduled vAC and we will help you reschedule. Do note, however, that when rescheduling, slots cannot be guaranteed.
How many students will I be teaching? Be prepared for anything!
BEST PRACTICES FOR INTERVIEWS
Be professional. Dress well and comfortably. Be on time. Remember to maintain a professional demeanor while speaking with the interviewer.
Highlight your notable achievements, skills, and experiences. Use this opportunity to show us who you are and what you have to offer.
Reflect on your motivation. Think carefully about why you are applying to Teach for the Philippines and the Fellowship Program. What is your “why”?
Reflect on your takeaways from experiences that you will be sharing. As important as it is for us to hear your stories, we want to know how these events have affected you on multiple levels, and how your takeaways affect your application to Teach for the Philippines.
Answer the questions directly. Remember to address the question, and do not lose sight of your main point. Keep your responses relevant and specific.
Application Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don’t have a background in Education or teaching experience?
We welcome individuals from all fields of expertise. We believe that the diversity of backgrounds lends itself to the success of our mission to achieve educational equity for all children. This said, the intensive training before the start of each school year includes modules that translate to units in education. Through training in Summer Institute and the Fellowship Program, Teacher Fellows will be eligible to take the Licensure Examination for Teachers before completion of the Fellowship. Obtaining a teacher’s license is one of the requirements for graduation from the Fellowship.
How is placement decided?
In Teach for the Philippines, we go where we are needed. When matching Teacher Fellows to their placements, we prioritize the needs of our partner schools and local government units. Throughout the admissions process we gather information regarding your skills, experiences, and preferences, and consider these when choosing a placement that is most beneficial for all. Teacher Fellows are informed of their placement after completion of Summer Institute and are deployed immediately after.
I am currently taking/have plans to take a Masters or PHD. Can I still join the Fellowship?
In applying for the Fellowship Program, we recommend that you reflect on your priorities and the commitment required of a Teacher Fellow. This includes placement in one public school anywhere in the Philippines, requirement to take the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET), and commitment to perform your responsibilities in the school community to the best of your ability.
I previously applied and was not able to finish the entire process/was not accepted, can I reapply?
Candidates may only apply once during the annual admissions cycle, but are absolutely welcome to re-apply during subsequent admission cycles. There is no limit to the number of times an interested applicant can re-apply to the Fellowship. In fact, some of our strongest candidates are re-applicants!
Fellowship Program Amid COVID-19
What does the Fellowship Program look like in COVID-19?
The impact of COVID-19 on our education sector has affected school communities across the Philippines differently, and TFP is here to do our part to help ensure learning continues for Filipino children. Believing that our mission of addressing growing educational inequities requires proximity to our school communities, we continue to deploy Teacher Fellows to their placement schools. Now more than ever, our work has shown us that teachers are needed on the ground. Following DepEd's plans, Teacher Fellows continue to teach and deliver our functional literacy and life skills programs through various delivery modes ranging from online instruction, audio, and modular learning for this school year.
Can I teach virtually or work from home in the Fellowship Program?
No. Our mission requires proximity to our stakeholders, therefore Teacher Fellows are physically deployed to their placement schools and work on the ground. This is especially necessary in communities that have limited to no access to internet.
How are Fellows deployed?
TFP guides Fellows through preparation, travel, and integration into the community. TFP recognizes the risks that may be present in physical deployment to various placement communities. As such, TFP follows a criteria for determining and managing risks associated with physical deployment as well as a strict Emergency Manual and COVID-19 process. Fellows are onboarded on the deployment process prior to their departure.
When does deployment take place?
Deployment takes place according to the start of DepEd’s academic calendar year. Teacher Fellows of the 2023 Cohort can expect to be deployed after completion of Summer Institute, and the dates will vary depending on DepEd’s announcement on SY 2023-2024 as well as the context of the placement school.
Teacher Fellows are assigned to a placement school in groups of 2-4. A member of TFP will accompany Fellows during the deployment and will assist them in the first few days of entry into the community.
How does TFP ensure Fellows' safety and health during the pandemic?
TFP follows a criteria for determining and managing risks associated with physical deployment as well as a strict Emergency Manual and COVID-19 process. We adhere to national /local government policies, and provide mandatory government remittances. During the school year, apart from continuous monitoring, we also remain in close coordination with our contacts in the local government and school communities to ensure that first responders are available should an emergency arise. TFP treats COVID-19 cases with utmost care, privacy, and sensitivity. When an employee has COVID-19, they should report it to their direct manager who will monitor their situation and help them find an appropriate arrangement for their professional responsibilities.
What does the training in Summer Institute look like during COVID-19?
Summer Institute (SI) is the pre-service training that typically takes place within 2 months prior to the actual deployment for the Fellowship Program. It is designed to equip Fellows with the knowledge, skills, and mindsets needed to succeed in the Fellowship Program.
In 2020-2022, SI was a fully online training...learning. TFP is transitioning back to in-person activities as the risk of COVID19 lowers. In 2023, SI may include a combination of in-person and online synchronous and asynchronous learning. SI is the last stage of the admissions process where all participants are considered Fellow Candidates. Those who are successful in meeting the training requirements of SI will be inducted into the Fellowship Program as Teacher Fellows.
When does Summer Institute take place?
SI typically takes place within two months prior to the start of the school year. Specific dates for SI 2023 will be shared with candidates who are invited to participate. Candidates invited to SI must be free from any academic or professional commitments by the time SI starts.