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Jumpstart is a part-time to full-time program for candidates eligible to teach. Participants will receive four weeks of training from district teacher development specialists and complete a three week internship shadowing a master teacher.

Participants Must Interview and Be Accepted to Participate in This Program

Applicants Must Be Eligible to Teach

• FLDOE Statement of Eligibility

• State Issued Teaching Certificate

• Degree-conferred Transcripts Showing Eligibility 

Candidates possessing eligibility in the content areas of Math, Science, ESE, Elementary, English and Reading will have preference over candidates in non-core content areas.  To learn more about this program, review our Frequently Asked Questions.  

Cohort 6.0 Focus – The focus of this cohort is to meet the district’s need in the hard-to-staff areas (Exceptional Student Education (ESE), Math and/or Science).  Candidates participating in this cohort who agree to teach in an ESE area (click each area to learn more) such as VE, SLA, PLA, Autism, PI or EBD will receive priority over other candidates.

Jumpstart 6.0 is now accepting applications!  Apply Now

What makes me eligible to teach?

The Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) determines eligibility based on the following:

• Degree-conferred transcripts – Transcripts for some majors make you eligible to teach. For example, majors such as Social Science, Biology, English or Business Administration to name a few (there are many majors) can give you eligibility to teach. It is important to note that not all majors grant eligibility to teach.  Majors such as Criminal Justice and Human Resources Management are examples of the many majors that do not grant eligibility to teach.  To learn more, click the following links:  click here | click here

If my transcripts do not give me eligibility, are there other ways to become eligible?

Yes, for candidates with a Bachelor’s degree, FLDOE has developed Subject Area Exams (SAE) that can be taken to grant eligibility. To learn more about the content area subjects and process for registering for an exam you can explore this link

I have not submitted my transcripts to FLDOE for review. Do I have to wait for FLDOE to review my transcripts?

• No, Duval County Public School’s Teacher Certification department can review your transcripts and determine your eligibility. Simply upload your transcripts to your Jumpstart application and they will be able to review your eligibility.  If you have a statement of eligibility or teacher certification, please upload this documentation to your application as well.

If the DCPS Certification Department indicates that I am eligible to teach, will they send my information to FLDOE for me?

• No, you will have to apply for certification. There is a fee to apply. 

If I am eligible to teach, can I teach any content area?

• Our certification department will identify the content area you are eligible to teach. Candidates may teach some content areas in an out-of-field (OOF) capacity. 

What does teaching in an out-of-field (OOF) capacity mean?

• Our school district allows teachers to teach SOME content areas for which they do not have the required college course work or did not take the appropriate FLDOE Subject Area Exam (SAE). For example, a teacher who is eligible to teach Social Science may teach another content such as Reading, ESE, English, Math or Science.  

• Click here to learn more about teaching out-of-field

Can I teach any subjects out-of-field (OOF)?

• No, our school district has identified specific content areas that may be taught in an out-of-field capacity. If selected for an interview, please be sure to ask for more information regarding the content areas that can be taught in an OOF capacity.

If teaching in an out-of-field (OOF) capacity, do I have to fulfill additional requirements.

• Yes, additional coursework or passing the required SAE will be required. Explore our district’s certification website links to learn more

I am a former DCPS teacher, am I eligible for this program?

• No, this program is for first time new hires to DCPS.

I am a current full-time non-certificated DCPS employee. Am I eligible for this program?

• Yes, full-time DCPS employees are eligible for this program. It is important to note that if accepted into the program, the employee will become part-time personnel during the first four weeks of the Jumpstart program.  During this time, part-time employees cannot use annual leave nor can they work multiple assignments such as extend day.

How is the Jumpstart program different than simply applying to teach?

• The Jumpstart program is specifically designed for eligible candidates who have not completed a teacher prep or college of education teacher program. The program lasts for a period of six weeks.  During the first four weeks of the program, participants are provided training to prepare them for the role of teacher. The last two weeks of the program is an internship with a master DCPS teacher.

If accepted into the program, will I be a full-time employee?

• Participants in the Jumpstart program begin as part-time employees for a period of 4 weeks. Once participants begin their two-week student internship, they become a full-time teacher.

What is the salary for Jumpstart participants?

• During the first four weeks, participants will receive training 4 hours a day (8:30 AM – 12:30 PM) at a rate of $26.00 per hour. Once participants begin their two-week student internship, they become a full-time teacher with a starting salary of $45,891.

What happens after the Jumpstart program is complete?

• Upon completion of the Jumpstart program, the HR staffing department will determine placement for each teacher at a school. Placement will be based on the available positions at that time.