Ponder ISD creates a welcoming and supportive environment for student teachers to grow professionally and to be prepared for their teaching experience.  We fulfill this mission by offering our best teachers to mentor in a highly supportive environment where new teachers can flourish in a small community with a fast-growing district.  Welcome to Ponder ISD!

To Apply:

• Applicant completes a Ponder ISD Student Teacher, Intern, or Student Observation Application including the Background Check Authorization

• All prospective student teachers seeking placement are required to work with their program supervisor to complete and submit the application

• Once complete, the program representative will review, sign, and submit the application to the Ponder ISD Human Resources on the student's behalf.  (Please designate a contact person on the form.)

• Submit the signed applications to HumanResources@ponderisd.net.

• Obtain fingerprinting when requested.

Note: 

• You are welcome to include requests for specific placements (teacher, campus, grade level).  We will do our best to accommodate these requests, but placement cannot be guaranteed.
  

  • Alternative Certification programs, including online programs, must provide a local supervisor (we do not provide these).

Click Here for the Application to Become a Student Teacher, Intern, or Observer

The Process:

1. Complete the Application

   • Please print when possible and verify the accuracy of information

2. Submit a copy of your current driver's license and social security card

   • Driver's license must be current (not expired)

   • Social Security card must be signed.

   • Requests cannot be processed without these documents. 

3. Upon receipt of required documents, Ponder ISD Human Resources enters your application.

   • If the applicant has not been fingerprinted for a school district or does not have district recognizable fingerprinting on file, the applicant will receive an email from Identogo, within one to two days of application submission to Human Resources, to advise them on how to proceed with scheduling a fingerprinting appointment.

   • Fingerprinting is typically a one-time event and valid throughout Texas school districts.  

4. Applicant must pay a fee to be fingerprinted.
   

   • The cost is approximately $50.00

   • The timing of the fingerprinting appointment is determined by the applicant. However, this process can take one to two weeks, so be sure to plan ahead. Typically, within one to two days after fingerprinting, Ponder ISD Human Resources will receive results of the background search and fingerprinting from the Department of Public Safety.

   • Applicants are notified of their background status when results are received.  

5. Human Resources will notify applicants of placement and the start date will be confirmed.

Click Here for things to know about background checks

Questions regarding student teaching, internships, and student observations can be submitted to humanresources@ponderisd.net