With Teach Chicago Tomorrow, Chicago Public School students progress from being a high school graduate to an Illinois State alum with a teaching license in only four years, with individualized support along the way.
1. Identify your passion in education.
Students must graduate from the CPS family of schools with a minimum 2.5 GPA.
- Commit to return to CPS as a teacher.
- Explore all the education majors at ISU: https://education.illinoisstate.edu/academics/
2. Be admitted to an education major at Illinois State University.
- Accept your offer and complete your new student tasks: https://illinoisstate.edu/admissions/freshman-admitted/
- Apply for additional funding once accepted.
3. Become a Redbird!
- Apply for additional funding once accepted.
- Explore resources available to you from home, or plan a visit to campus.
- Work with your academic counselor to plan your class schedule.
4. Complete your Degree Program.
- Complete all coursework at City Colleges of Chicago or online – even your Illinois State classes!
- Be placed in a Chicago Public School for your year-long student teaching assignment.
- After successful completion of the program, walk into a guaranteed job at Chicago Public Schools.
5. Apply for Licensure.
- Your degree must be confirmed by the Registrar’s office, which usually happens about 1-2 weeks after final grades are posted.
- Receive an email from the Registrar’s office verifying that you are able to apply within ELIS for licensure. This email usually comes about 2-4 weeks after final grades are posted.
- View the ISBE training video for assistance with applying for your license.
- As you apply, be sure to register your license in your application with the Regional Office of Education (ROE) of the county in which you are planning to teach.
- Order an official transcript from Illinois State after your degree is posted to be sent to ISBE. Transcripts from Truman College should also be ordered. When ordering an ISU Transcript, please follow the directions on how to send to ISBE.
6. Get HIRED!
Students that successfully complete the full Teach Chicago Tomorrow program can apply to the CPS early offer program. You are the teacher you wish you had.
