MTR Literacy fellowship

Onboarding Guide

If you are an incoming Literacy Fellow who has been offered a position, congrats! You’re in the right place.

Onboarding is a critical process in becoming a fellow, and it’s very important that you read and understand each part of the process outlined below. Meeting deadlines and showing professionalism during this process are the first steps into a career that requires excellent communication and attention to detail.

Download the printable checklist below for a quick snapshot with visible deadlines. This webpage has all the details you need to complete MTR Fellowship Onboarding, but the checklist is good to keep somewhere you see daily as a reminder. Please work diligently to complete the steps ahead of the deadline.

printable checklist

Upcoming Due Dates:

Onboarding E-Sign Packet

Due April 19

The e-sign packet will be emailed to you. See below for more info.

Onboarding Survey

Due April 7

Travel Survey

Due May 5

Fingerprinting Appointment

Scheduled by April 7
Completed by April 19

Email gabbie@memphistr.org with date by 4/7. Read the Fingerprinting & Background Check section below for more info. All fingerprints must be mailed by April 20th at the latest. Email gabbie@memphistr.org when you send them.

Pre-Work

Due May 28

Onboarding E-Sign Packet

You should soon receive an e-signature packet of documents you will sign using your computer or smartphone / tablet. This will come in an email from eSign Genie. Below is an explanation of the documents you will be signing digitally. We request that when signing and being given a font choice for your “e-signature” that you not select Arial or Times New Roman or anything that looks too much like a typical computer font.

Below is an explanation of the documents we need from you.

LITERACY Fellowship Contract

Congratulations! It’s time to make this official. Your contract is your agreement with MTR. You have received the contract and now it is time to sign on the line. If you have any questions about the contract, please reach out to Bridget Gentry, MTR’s Director of Finance & Operations (bridget@memphistr.org)

VECHS Form

This document is required by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for the purpose of accessing and reviewing Tennessee and national criminal history that may pertain to you from the FBI.

Consent to Fingerprinting and Background Check

You will sign a consent form in your e-sign packet that allows MTR to conduct a background check with fingerprinting. Please note the instructions for actually being fingerprinted are given below and you need to follow those carefully. This background check also includes a search of the national sex offender database. You still need to follow the fingerprinting directions below after signing this consent. All fellows must complete this process through MTR, even if you have completed screening for another organization.

Noncriminal Justice Applicant’s Privacy Rights

This document explains your privacy rights as they pertain to a national fingerprint-based criminal history record check.

Finance & Identification

Since this is a paid summer fellowship, we want to make sure you get paid correctly and on time! Please fill out the W9 form which is included in the e-sign packet. You will need your social security number handy for this.

You will also fill out a direct deposit form for your summer stipend. MTR requires direct deposit and does not cut individual checks for the stipend. You will need a checking account, and you will need to attach a picture, pdf, or scan of a voided check or direct deposit authorization form from your bank during the e-signature process. Please ensure the direct deposit authorization form from your bank has both the routing number and your entire account number.

what if I don’t have a check?

A direct deposit authorization form from your bank works! Google your bank name and direct deposit form. Fill out the entire form for the account you want your stipend deposited into. Please do NOT submit a paystub, account balance statement, or any other documentation.

Fingerprinting & Background Check

As part of your journey, you will have to undergo a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) Background Check, even if you’ve recently been fingerprinted for another purpose. This is necessary for all persons seeking to work in a school setting. Failure to pass the background check will prohibit you from enrolling in the Literacy Fellowship. If you anticipate any difficulties with your background check, please contact the Summer Programs Lead to explain your situation.

You can expect to pay between $15 and $75 dollars for fingerprinting services and $38 to register your prints if you are out of state.

You will find a Consent to Fingerprinting and Background Check Form in your e-packet, and you must sign and submit that form before continuing with the fingerprinting directions below based on whether you currently live in Tennessee or live in another state.

All fingerprinting appointments should be scheduled by April 7 and completed by April 19. Email gabbie@memphistr.org with the time and date of your appointment by April 7. Background checks can be delayed, so it is important that you get your appointment early in order to ensure you are cleared and ready to participate in the summer fellowship.

MTR should receive the results of your background check 5 – 7 business days after you have visited the TBI service location/had your mailed fingerprint card processed.

  • Click here if you prefer instructions with images.

    1. Follow this link to schedule your ten-minute appointment for fingerprinting at an in-state location. You can also revisit this link later to change your appointment if necessary.

    2. Click the green button to “Schedule a New Appointment.”

    3. Enter TNCC79140 for ORI number. It will tell you that this ORI corresponds with Memphis Teacher Residency.

    4. Enter zip code for a fingerprinting location near you, and select a location and appointment time.

    5. Enter personal information. At the bottom you will want to provide employer information: Memphis Teacher Residency, 1350 Concourse Avenue, Suite 366, Memphis, TN 38104 as your employer.

    6. Verify all information is correct and submit.

    7. Make payment with Visa or Mastercard OR take money order or cashier’s check with you to fingerprinting location.

    Bring The Following To Your Appointment: 

    1. Valid Government ID: Driver’s license, state ID, or passport

    2. Money or cashiers check if you did not pay for fingerprinting services during scheduling

  • ​​If you live near Tennessee, we suggest you come into the state to get your fingerprints done. It makes your process easier!

    Click here if you prefer instructions with images.

    STEP 1: SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT

    • Find a place to be fingerprinted: You need to obtain a set of fingerprints from a local law enforcement agency or other entity that provides fingerprinting services. These fingerprints may be either traditional ink rolled fingerprints on a FBI (FD-258) fingerprint card or LiveScan fingerprints printed to a FBI (FD-258) fingerprint card.

    1. Click here to locate an IdentoGo location.

    DO NOT ENTER A SERVICE CODE.

    2. Scroll down and click on "Fingerprint Cards".

    3. Click on "Schedule or Manage Appointment". Follow instructions from there to make your appointment.

    4. Return to MTR's onboarding site and complete Steps 2 - 6.

    Of note: If there is not an IdentoGo close to you, please reach out to your County Sheriff's department or your City's Police department to have your prints taken. Once you have your fingerprint card, proceed with Steps 2-6 below.

    STEP 2: REGISTER FOR FINGERPRINT CARD PROCESSING

    1. Follow this link and click the green button saying “Register for Fingerprint Card Processing Service.”

    2. You will need to confirm that you currently live in another state (not in Tennessee) by clicking yes on the prompt.

    3. Enter TNCC79140 for ORI number. It will tell you that this ORI corresponds with Memphis Teacher Residency.

    4. Enter personal information as prompted. 

    5. At the bottom you will want to provide employer information: Memphis Teacher Residency, 1350 Concourse Avenue, Suite 366, Memphis, TN 38104 as your employer.

    6. Verify all information is correct and submit.

    7. Make payment online for fingerprinting.

    8. Once you have made your payment, you will be directed to the final registration page. Print this page. Follow all directions on this page (ex: sign & date, enter contact information). Keep this until after your appointment to mail in with your fingerprint card.  

    STEP 3: PREPARE FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT

    • Print off this page of instructions to bring with you to your appointment. 

    • Add your appointment time to your calendar so you don’t forget

    • Make sure you have a Valid Government ID to bring with you to your appointment: Driver’s license, state ID, or passport

    STEP 4: GET FINGERPRINTED!

    • Bring a Valid Government ID: Driver’s license, state ID, or passport

    • Give the instructions you printed off to the technician doing your fingerprints. 

    • The technician will give you your fingerprint card when you are done. Take it home with you to be mailed in (next step). 

    STEP 5: MAIL YOUR FINGERPRINTS & FORM TO IDENTOGO — If you did LiveScan prints AND registered your card online (Step 2), then you do not need to mail anything. Skip to the next step (confirmation).

    • After your appointment, mail the fingerprint card AND the printed off registration page to the address listed on the registration page:

      Prints Inc.
      IdentoGO TN Card Scan Operations
      100 Salem Ct
      Tallahassee, FL 32301

    **Make sure the form is completed and signed before mailing. Cards received without the completed and signed form will not be processed and will be returned for completion and re-submission. Please remember that this fingerprint card and registration page get mailed to the background check company in Florida—so please DO NOT mail this fingerprint card to MTR.

    STEP 6: CONFIRM YOU’VE FINISHED THE FINGERPRINTING PROCESS WITH MTR

    Email Gabbie (gabbie@memphistr.org) once your card & registration form have been mailed or processed by LiveScan.

Questions? 

  • Reach out to MTR’s Onboarding Manager (gabbie@memphistr.org)

  • You can check the status of your fingerprints or ask questions about the process by contacting IdentoGo at 855-226-2937

Pre-Work

You will be sent pre-work in early May to help you prepare for your time as a Literacy Fellow. Please watch for that email.

Summer Calendar

Important Dates:

MOVE-IN DAY
Sunday, May 31 between 12 - 3 pm
Housing Orientation begins at 3:30 pm

WELCOME DINNER
Sunday, May 31 at 5 pm

ORIENTATION
Monday, June 1 - Friday, June 5

FIRST DAY OF LITERACY CAMP
Monday, June 8

LAST DAY OF LITERACY CAMP
Friday, June 26

CLOSING BANQUET
Friday, June 26

DEPARTURE
Saturday, June 27

TYPICAL DAY IN THE LIFE:

7:45 | Staff Morning Huddle
8:00–8:30 | Camper Arrival & Breakfast
8:30–8:40 | Morning Council
8:45–9:00 | Opening “Campfire” Meeting in Teams
9:00–10:15 | Fellows Professional Development
10:15–10:35 | Free Play/Games
10:45–11:45 | Campfire Stories
12:00–12:35 | Lunch
12:35–12:55 | Free Play/Games
1:00–2:00 | Creative Exploration
2:10–2:25 | Incentive Time
2:25–3:00 | Closing Campfire & Launch

Evening Programming
On Tuesdays and Thursdays after camp, fellows will have a speaker series and book club to dive deeper into the work of social justice. We’ll also have Memphis events on the weekends and optional church visits on Sundays.

Where to go with questions:

Connect with us on Social Media

We want to connect with you and help you get connected with one another! You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (all @MemphisTR). We invite you to tag us when posting about your MTR experiences on social media.