What to expect at this time

In the spring, you will gain access to our central learning platform to begin your Pre-Service training. You will engage in asynchronous learning—on your own time and at your own pace—to build the foundations for the rest of your training. You will cover topics including:

• Foundational knowledge and context
• Diversity, equity, and inclusiveness
• Leadership development
• Culturally relevant pedagogy

What to expect from us

Regions offer varying levels of support during this phase. On a national level, we ensure all corps members have access to our central learning platform and support with technical issues.

What we expect from you

You will continue your self-directed learning throughout your Pre-Service training experience, deepening your content knowledge and expertise.

Corps members should focus on building their understanding of the broad concepts they will dive more deeply into throughout the rest of training. They are laying the foundational framework for the entirety of their training and learning.

What to expect at this time

Corps members will spend time learning in virtual live training with other corps members who share a similar context. They will learn alongside other corps members from their region and those from other regions teaching the same grade level and subject.

What to expect from us

You will be supported by other corps members, alumni, and staff from across our network. You will build strong partnerships with your coach, DEI facilitator, content facilitator, and your regional team, who will all help guide and support you in your development.

You will engage in sessions led by alumni and staff members and participate in experiences like planning and rehearsing lessons, participating in group discussions, watching videos and models of teaching, and learning new concepts and practices through collaborative adult learning experiences. 

What we expect from you

You will be focused on the following areas:

Content-specific development: You will learn what excellent, equitable, and relevant instruction looks like in your grade and content area, and prepare to lead instruction for your students.

Diversity, equity, & inclusiveness: You will learn through dialogue with other corps members in your region as you build the foundational skills and mindset of an aspiring anti-racist educator, and examine your own identity and the impact of race and class on educational inequity within a space that is both challenging and supportive.

You will engage in conversations about anti-racist teacher leadership and what it can look like inside and outside of your classroom. You will explore topics such as socialization and bias at the self, group, and systems levels and practice recognizing the impact of your decisions on students, colleagues, and community. During these sessions, you will lay the groundwork for your ongoing development as a leader working toward systems change.

Learning environment: You will work to co-create equitable learning environments that foster your students’ social, emotional, and academic development. Creating an equitable learning environment that is emotionally, intellectually, and physically safe for students is the bedrock of all that teachers do. 

Your learning will be grounded in the science of learning and development and centered on building relationships with your students, as you explore topics related to child development, trauma-informed practices, and social-emotional learning. You will continue to build your judgment and skill as an aspiring culturally relevant practitioner as you plan, practice, implement, and reflect on your summer classroom learning environment. You will explore how your decisions around actions, systems, and routines within the learning environment foster student belonging and increase equity of access to learning for all students. 

Curricular literacy: You will develop your ability to read and implement a curriculum, including all its lesson plans and materials, with educational equity and your individual students in mind.  

You will learn how to understand a curriculum and what goals your students are trying to reach. Then, as you develop your content expertise and increased self-awareness, you will learn how to analyze and make changes to your curriculum so you teach in a way that is rigorous, responsive, and relevant to your students’ identities, cultures, learning strengths and needs, and social-emotional needs.

Leadership development: You will explore our “Theory of Leadership” and learn how your role as an educator will help you build foundational skills and experiences for changing the systems that contribute to educational inequity.

What to expect at this time

You will spend a large part of your full-time training teaching students during your Practicum. Your Practicum experience is led by your regional team and is your first opportunity to work directly with students and families. You will put into practice the knowledge and skills you have developed through teaching students in a supportive environment. You will strengthen your relationships with your fellow corps members and staff members in your region. Practicum is also a time for you to learn more about your local context and prepare for teaching in your region!

What to expect from us

Observations and Coaching: Teach For America instructional staff will regularly observe your teaching throughout Practicum and engage you in feedback conversations. Together you’ll discuss areas for development and concrete plans to increase student learning as you develop your teaching skills. You will also continue to virtually meet with your DEI and content facilitators.

What we expect from you

You will put into practice the knowledge and skills you have developed through teaching students in a supportive environment. You will focus on the learning and growth of your students, and your role as a teacher and leader in the classroom.

What to expect from us

Ongoing professional development: Your regional team will continue to supplement your learning and development by offering regular professional development sessions, typically held monthly on evenings or weekends. In some cases, you may work closely with a cohort of corps members in your region who are also teaching at your school, or who are teaching the same subjects and grade levels.

Your teaching & leadership coach: You will have a personal coach who will facilitate your ongoing professional development, observe your teaching, and provide you with feedback and guidance on improving your teaching practice. They will become one of your closest partners in helping you develop as a teacher and leader.

What we need from you

In addition to ongoing professional development offered by TFA, you may also continue your learning and development through your certification coursework. Certification programs vary by region, but you will likely be required to attend courses through a local college or university during evenings and weekends throughout all or part of your two years in the corps.

Getting Hired at Your School

As a corps member, you will be hired as a full-time employee by your school, district, or charter organization—not Teach For America. Your salary and benefits will be the same as other beginning teachers working for your employer.

What to expect during this time

Each region has partnerships with local school districts that hire Teach For America corps members. In order to gain employment as a teacher, you will need to go through a hiring process which may include applying for open teaching positions and interviewing with principals and other staff within these partner schools.

The timeline for when you'll be hired varies widely from region to region. Hiring usually takes place between the time you join the corps and before the school year starts in the fall.

What you can expect from us

Regional Teach For America staff will support you during the hiring process by:

• Sharing information about hiring timelines
• Matching you with open teaching positions
• Supporting you with resume review
• Conducting interview practice

What we need from you

During this time, you will be responsible for: 

• Preparing your resume and cover letter
• Applying for open teaching positions
• Interviewing with school principals
• Completing hiring paperwork

Compare regions to see average salary ranges for teachers across different regions.

Salary & Benefits

What to expect during this time

As a corps member, you’ll receive a salary and benefits from the school district, charter school, or pre-K center where will you work as a full-time teacher. You are not an employee of Teach for America and thus are not paid by Teach for America.

You’ll be paid the same as other beginning teachers working for the same employer. Salaries typically range from $33,000 to $58,000, depending on where you teach.

While urban areas tend to offer higher salaries, the cost of living is also higher. Salaries in rural areas tend to be lower, but you’ll likely spend less on rent and other expenses.

Also as a full-time teacher, you are entitled to medical benefits through your employer. Plans and costs vary, depending on where you teach.

Most employers offer:

• Medical, dental, and vision care
• Referral-free access to doctors
• Routine preventative care
• Flexible spending accounts
• Employee assistance and wellness programs
• Family-planning services
• Vaccinations (e.g., flu shots)
• Life insurance
• Retirement benefits, typically employer-supported pension plans or 403(b)

Depending on where you teach and when the school year begins there, you can expect your first paycheck between late August and late September. This means it can take from 3-6 weeks after the start of the school year to receive your first paycheck.

What to expect from us

There are several financial support programs available to ease your transition into the classroom and help with moving expenses and certification costs. In addition to a full salary from your school or district, we offer:
 

• A baseline of $5,000 Transitional Financial Support to assist all corps members so that you can focus on your transition and preparing for students
• Need-based financial support packages
• Access to AmeriCorps benefits including federal funding to help pay off student loans and cover some of the costs incurred while earning your teaching certification

What we need from you

You can compare regional salaries with our compare regions tool. Select regions on the map that interest you and view expected first- and second-year salary ranges in the chart below the map. You can also compare other costs like certification and living expenses.  

Many of our corps members are considered “non-traditional” teachers since they haven't completed a traditional course of study in education before starting in the classroom. 

This means you will have to earn an initial teaching license to get hired as a teacher in your region.

What you can expect from us 

Regional Teach For America staff members in your assigned region will help guide you through the process, including fulfilling requirements and meeting local deadlines. They will also help by:
 

• Hosting test prep webinars
• Providing study materials
• Connecting you with fellow corps members who have already completed requirements

What we need from you

In order to earn an initial teaching license, you will need to pass state exams and will likely be required to complete education coursework while you’re teaching. During this time, you will be responsible for:
 

• Preparing for your subject test and/or general knowledge exam(s)
• Passing your exam(s)
• Paying for the cost of exams and any additional costs of licensing
• Completing other required paperwork such as fingerprints and background checks

If you do not pass your exams, you will need to retake them. In some cases, you may need to defer your start date until you pass all required exams. 

While your initial teaching license will allow you to teach in the fall, most regions require you to work toward a full teaching certification to remain in compliance with state requirements. The process for becoming certified typically takes one to two years and begins as soon as you accept your offer to join the corps.

What you can expect from us

Regional Teach For America staff members will provide the information and help needed to streamline the certification acquisition process for you. To obtain your teaching certification, you can complete coursework through a local college or university, or through another provider such as a local school district. Each state has different requirements and rules regarding earning credentials. 

Certification programs vary from region to region, and generally fall into three categories: University, TFA Program, or a Hybrid Program (this will vary by region).

What we need from you

You will likely be required to attend courses during evenings and weekends throughout all or part of your two years in the corps. During this time, you will be responsible for: 

• Enrolling in a certification program
• Paying for the costs of certification 
• Completing all coursework for the certification program

Consider what type of program matters to you most when indicating your regional preferences on your application. 

If you already have a teaching license in another state, your region can also provide more information on transferring your license. The certification reciprocity process and requirements vary from state to state. Frequently, reciprocity will require a copy of the out-of-state teaching certificate, a copy of their transcripts, and a possible record of professional experience.

Our regional staff will support corps members through the reciprocity process. You will be responsible for gathering the necessary documents to submit your application.

You may also have the option of extending your certification into a Master’s degree while serving in the corps. Select a region to learn more about options for becoming certified and earning a master’s degree.