This document provides information to help you complete the Teaching Ambassador Fellowship application process. Please print this document and refer to it as you complete the vacancy postings.

There are two applications for the Fellowship-one for the Classroom Fellowship and one for the Washington Fellowship. The postings contain the same items, with the exception of the final essay question (Question 4). If you wish to be considered for both tracks, you must complete and separately submit both applications through USA Jobs. It is recommended that you compose and save your answers in a separate document and then submit them as instructed. Your responses for Questions 1-3 may be the same for both postings if you apply for both Fellowship tracks.

Both the Classroom Fellowship and the Washington Fellowship applications include two components:

1. Resume
2. Narrative Responses

Applicants should complete both components and submit them as instructed through USA Jobs. Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact 202-401-1259. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

1. Resume

You must create a user account and at least one Federal resume at USAJOBS. The information you provide in your Federal resume will become part of your application and will automatically be transferred to our system when you apply on-line.

Begin the application process by clicking on the [Apply Online] button at the bottom of the announcement.

Log into your USAJOBS account (if you are not already logged in) or create one (if you do not have one established).

Select the resume you would like to submit and click on [Apply for this position now!] You will now be automatically transferred to our system where you will complete the application process.

For tips on preparing your Federal resume, please select this link: http://www.usajobs.gov/infocenter/resumetips.asp#tips

2. Personal Information

Once you have been transferred, follow the on-screen prompts to complete your application. Be certain to read the on-screen instructions thoroughly before continuing. First, you will be asked to complete or update your information on file.

If you have already been to our site you will have the option to update your information on file or go directly to the assessment. We recommend selecting the option to update your information on file each time you apply. By selecting this option you will be able to verity your data on file is accurate. Please make sure your email address and phone number are correct in this section.

3. Narrative Responses

After reviewing your supporting documentation, you will be asked to respond to questions specific to this vacancy. You must respond to all questions in order to save or proceed with the application process. Each response must be limited to 500 words. It is recommended that you compose and save your answers in a separate document and paste them into the online application. You are encouraged to visit www.ed.gov, particularly the Overview of the U.S. Department of Education and What We Do to learn more about the role and work of the Department of Education before completing your answers.

Once you have answered all vacancy questions click on [Finished].

Narrative Response Questions:

Please Note: Before you proceed to the narrative questions, you will be told to submit three documents by fax: A school transcript, an SF-50 and Sch. A. Ltr. Please ignore this. These documents are not required for responding to the announcement or registering to apply. Anybody who registers with USAJobs/EdHIRES get this prompt, however it will not be used in the selection of Teaching Ambassador Fellows.

Describe what you feel are your greatest contributions to helping students learn.
Be specific. You may include test scores and grade improvements, results from assessments or student work, details on special programs you run or participate in, action research you conduct, or any other relevant examples of your work. Please limit your response to 500 words.

Describe the student population and environment in which you teach.
Provide information on the demographics of your student population, their unique needs, and the specific actions you take to connect with them and address these needs. How has this experience shaped your view of education and what do you hope to share with federal policymakers? Please limit your response to 500 words.

Tell how your background and leadership experiences in an academic environment and your community will contribute to your work in this position.
Discuss your education, personal background, and leadership roles in your school, community and/or professional networks and how they qualify you for this position. Include at least one example of results you have achieved as a leader. Explain how your background has prepared you to contribute to the Dept. of Ed. and the field of teaching in the future.

Describe the benefits you feel will result from your part-time work with the Department, both to your own teaching practice and to the field.
Explain why you wish to gain this experience and describe any particular education policy topics you wish to explore through the Fellowship. Verify that your administrator will support you in gaining district approval for an Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) agreement and provide the best contact information for your administrator.

4. Review and Submit Application

The final step of the application process is to review and submit your complete online application package. Review the personal information, vacancy questions and resume for accuracy and completeness. Once you are satisfied with your application click on [Finished] to submit your application. if you do not click on this final [Finished] button your application will not be submitted and you will not receive consideration.

Once you have submitted your application you will be redirected back to USAJOBS where you may view your application status, continue to browse for open positions and/or apply for additional positions. You may return at any time until midnight Eastern Time on March 16, 2009 to update or make changes to your application.

1. Resume

You must create a user account and at least one Federal resume at USAJOBS. The information you provide in your Federal resume will become part of your application and will automatically be transferred to our system when you apply on-line.

Begin the application process by clicking on the [Apply Online] button at the bottom of the announcement.

Log into your USAJOBS account (if you are not already logged in) or create one (if you do not have one established).

Select the resume you would like to submit and click on [Apply for this position now!] You will now be automatically transferred to our system where you will complete the application process.

For tips on preparing your Federal resume, please select this link: http://www.usajobs.gov/infocenter/resumetips.asp#tips

2. Personal Information

Once you have been transferred, follow the on-screen prompts to complete your application. Be certain to read the on-screen instructions thoroughly before continuing. First, you will be asked to complete or update your information on file.

If you have already been to our site you will have the option to update your information on file or go directly to the assessment. We recommend selecting the option to update your information on file each time you apply. By selecting this option you will be able to verity your data on file is accurate. Please make sure your email address and phone number are correct in this section.

3. Narrative Responses

Please Note: Before you proceed to the narrative questions, you will be told to submit three documents by fax: A school transcript, an SF-50 and Sch. A. Ltr. Please ignore this. These documents are not required for responding to the announcement or registering to apply. Anybody who registers with USAJobs/EdHIRES get this prompt, however it will not be used in the selection of Teaching Ambassador Fellows.

After reviewing your supporting documentation, you will be asked to respond to questions specific to this vacancy. You must respond to all questions in order to save or proceed with the application process. Each response must be limited to 500 words. It is recommended that you compose and save your answers in a separate document and paste them into the online application. You are encouraged to visit www.ed.gov, particularly the Overview of the U.S. Department of Education and What We Do to learn more about the role and work of the Department of Education before completing your answers.

Once you have answered all vacancy questions click on [Finished].

Narrative Response Questions:

Describe what you feel are your greatest contributions to helping students learn.
Be specific. You may include test scores and grade improvements, results from assessments or student work, details on special programs you run or participate in, action research you conduct, or any other relevant examples of your work. Please limit your response to 500 words.

Describe the student population and environment in which you teach.
Provide information on the demographics of your student population, their unique needs, and the specific actions you take to connect with them and address these needs. How has this experience shaped your view of education and what do you hope to share with federal policymakers? Please limit your response to 500 words.

Tell how your background and leadership experiences in an academic environment and your community will contribute to your work in this position.
Discuss your education, personal background, and leadership roles in your school, community and/or professional networks and how they qualify you for this position. Include at least one example of results you have achieved as a leader. Explain how your background has prepared you to contribute to the Dept. of Ed. and the field of teaching in the future.

Explain why you are interested in this position.
Why are you willing to take a 1-year leave of absence to become a full-time federal employee? What benefits will both you and the Department gain from your participation? Describe specific areas of education to which you bring particular expertise. Verify that your administrator will support you in gaining district approval for an Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) agreement and provide the best contact information for your administrator.

4. Review and Submit Application

The final step of the application process is to review and submit your complete online application package. Review the personal information, vacancy questions and resume for accuracy and completeness. Once you are satisfied with your application click on [Finished] to submit your application. if you do not click on this final [Finished] button your application will not be submitted and you will not receive consideration.

Once you have submitted your application you will be redirected back to USAJOBS where you may view your application status, continue to browse for open positions and/or apply for additional positions. You may return at any time until midnight Eastern Time on March 16, 2009 to update or make changes to your application.