Make a difference in the lives of students who need you. Outstanding professionals and recent college graduates who wish to build a career can make a difference in the lives of Phoenix’s children. Socially-driven individuals, like you, who want to give back to our community by becoming teachers in high-need elementary and K-8 public schools in Murphy Elementary School District and Phoenix Elementary School District can change lives.
Students with diverse ethnic backgrounds need you: your commitment, your high expectations, and your desire to close the achievement gap.
- Of every 100 white kindergartners across the nation, 93 graduate high school and 65 go on to attend some college.
- Of every 100 Hispanic kindergartners, only 63 graduate high school and 32 go on to attend some college. (US Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. March Current Population Surveys, 1971-2001, in ‘The Condition of Education 2002’)
- Less than 1% of Hispanic and Black 8th graders in Arizona scored at Advanced levels on the science portion of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) in 2005.
- Only 5% of Arizona students perform at Advanced levels in mathematics, according to 2007 NAEP data.
It does not have to be this way. As a teacher, you can change these statistics for the students in your classroom.
Join a distinguished cohort of accomplished, high-quality colleagues who will become a strong professional network.
THE TEACHING OPPORTUNITY
Becoming a teacher in a high-need area is your opportunity to give back to the Phoenix community by teaching students in the subject areas where your expertise is needed the most.
You can work to close the achievement gap by securing teaching positions that enable you to work tirelessly with students in high-need classrooms.
The placement process can be challenging. Due to mobility within the school system, it is often difficult to predict exact vacancies until very close to, and in some cases just after, the beginning of the school year. The job search process is typically experienced in phases. You may secure your teaching position through job fairs, individual on-site interviews with principals and assistant principals, or through central district personnel.
Candidates must be flexible about teaching assignment and should be prepared to teach wherever they are most needed. Teachers can embark on their new careers addressing inequities in education, by setting high expectations for the students in their classrooms and dedicating themselves to impacting these students’ achievement. We call on you to accept the urgent challenge to make a difference in schools in most need of high-quality educators.

