New Teacher Information
This information can be downloaded here: Word or PDF
What is PTPS?
The People’s Test Preparation Service is a non-profit, volunteer-run campus group that provides free SAT preparation courses for underprivileged high school students all across the East Bay. Our teachers plan and lead nine-week courses teaching critical SAT strategies and skills while helping their students through practice problems and diagnostic exams. PTPS is completely student-run and is funded by the ASUC, CalCorps, Bridges, and other foundational grants. Our directors, coordinators, and teachers are all undergraduate or graduate students from right here at UC Berkeley.
What do I have to do as a teacher?
You and your teaching partner will lead one two-hour class every week, focusing on either the Verbal (Critical Reading and Writing) or the Math portion of the SAT—it’s your choice! You’ll be making lesson plans, creating worksheets, grading homework and if necessary, consulting with students’ parents.
Are there weekly meetings? Do I get any training?
PTPS teachers are required to attend a two-hour training class every Monday from 6:00-8:00 PM, location TBA. You’ll be discussing not only classroom management and teaching strategies, but also many of the issues surrounding education—especially high school education, today. At the beginning of each semester, there’s also a half-day retreat where you’ll get in-depth teacher training.
If this really sounds like a bore, it’s not. All events are designed with you, the teacher, in mind. We are dedicated to providing you with all the resources you’ll need to confidently and competently teach, all the while making everything as fun and enjoyable as we can.
What is the time commitment?
About five hours each week: two hours of weekly training, two hours of class, and whatever time you need to prepare, usually about an hour. If you’re teaching off-campus, there may be some transit time, too.
Do I get paid? Can I get units?
Sorry. Though we’d love to, PTPS is completely volunteer run and we can’t offer our teachers any kind of financial compensation. We’ll give you 1-2 magic DeCal units, though, as well as help you fulfill your Field Studies Requirement for the Education minor.
Can I get some more info?
Definitely! There are a few ways to get some more info on our group:
· Attend an info-session:
Monday, Jan. 26 @ 7 p.m. in 189 Dwinelle
Tuesday, Jan. 27 @ 7 p.m. in 189 Dwinelle.
· Give us a call: (510) 642-4951
· Send us an email: ptps.berkeley@gmail.com
· Visit our website: www.ptps.org
I’m interested! How do I sign up?
Just follow these steps:
1. Fill out the New Teacher Application available on our website and put it in our mailbox (at the right outside our door at 304 Eshleman). Alternatively, you can go ahead and email it to us at ptps.berkeley@gmail.com with the subject “New Teacher Application”.
2. Check your email! Your interviewer will contact you with you’re a time, date, and location for you two to meet and chat. Don’t be nervous. It’s a chance for you to learn more about us as well as us to learn about you.
3. That’s it! You’ll be notified if you’ve been accepted.
