why teach for america · why teach for america? ... dominique lee, greater newark corps ’07 ......

WhyTeach For America

Lifelong Leaders

Where We Work

How to Apply

Who We Look For

Training and Professional Development

Compensation and Benefits


Lifelong Leaders

Where We Work

How to Apply

Who We Look For



whyteach for america

why teach for america?

A great education for all will create a great future for all. All kids deserve the chance to reach their full

potential—but today, only 8 percent of students growing up in poverty graduate from college by the

time they’re 24, compared with 80 percent of students in more affluent areas. This limits life options,

affects families and communities, and has significant social and economic implications for our country.

Teach For America is building the national movement to change this. We know it’s possible to give all kids a great education and the

countless opportunities that come with it. By teaching for two years in Teach For America’s corps, you will join thousands of

leaders helping students in low-income communities to make the academic progress that will expand their opportunities for the

future. You’ll develop the leadership skills, insights, and commitment that will drive you to be a lifelong advocate for kids. And

you’ll build relationships with fellow corps members and others in your community working to meet this challenge.

“Educational opportunities change lives. If we don’t take responsibility for the education of our most

vulnerable communities, we will lose out on the great potential of our students in the future.”

Kelly Funk, Mississippi Delta Corps ‘11 | Purdue University | Before the Corps: Indiana House of Representatives, Democratic Caucus Fiscal Policy Intern

“Being a corps member is humbling. Every day we are fighting for our students.

It’s not about us, but about creating opportunities for the next generation.”

Marissa Alberty, Oklahoma Corps ’10 | University of Oklahoma


Lifelong Leaders

Where We Work

How to Apply

Who We Look For



http://www.teachforamerica.org/why-teach-for-america


Lifelong Leaders

Where We Work

How to Apply

Who We Look For



who welook for

who we look for

Our approach to selecting corps members is based on our commitment to student success. We continuously study our teachers to identify the

characteristics of those whose students have made the most progress. We’ve discovered that their most distinguishing characteristics are:

• A deep belief in the potential of all kids and a commitment to do whatever it takes to expand opportunities for students

• Demonstrated leadership ability and superior interpersonal skills to motivate others

• Strong achievement in academic, professional, extracurricular, and volunteer settings

• Perseverance in the face of challenges, ability to adapt to changing environments, and a strong desire to do whatever is necessary to improve and develop

• Excellent critical thinking skills, including the ability to accurately link cause and effect and to generate relevant solutions to problems

• Superior organizational ability, including planning well and managing responsibilities effectively

• Respect for individuals’ diverse experiences and the ability to work effectively with people from a variety of backgrounds


Lifelong Leaders

Where We Work

How to Apply

Who We Look For



http://www.teachforamerica.org/who-we-look-for


Lifelong Leaders

Where We Work

How to Apply

Who We Look For



wherewe work

where we work

Corps members and alumni teach grades pre-K through 12 in 46 urban and rural regions across the country,

reflecting the tremendous scope of the challenge our nation faces. Openness to teaching in a variety of communities,

subjects, and grade levels will give you the opportunity to work with students who need you most.


Lifelong Leaders

Where We Work

How to Apply

Who We Look For



http://www.teachforamerica.org/where-and-what-youll-teach


Lifelong Leaders

Where We Work

How to Apply

Who We Look For



how toapply

how to apply

Applicants must submit an online application by one of the deadlines below. Subsequent rounds of the admissions

process include a phone interview, an online activity, and an in-person interview. Applications are nonbinding.

Prerequisites:

Bachelor’s degree by June 2013 with a 2.5 minimum undergraduate GPA* U.S. citizenship or national/permanent resident status**

*The GPA requirement is mandated by the school districts and credentialing programs with which we work.

**If you are an international student, you may be eligible to teach in your home country through Teach For All, the global network for expanding educational opportunity. For more information, contact [email protected]

***A comprehensive list of steps in the admissions process can be found on our website at teachforamerica.org

first DeaDline

Aug. 24, 2012

Aug. 30 - Sept. 6

seconD DeaDline

Sept. 14, 2012

Sept. 20 - 25

thirD DeaDline

Nov. 2, 2012

Nov. 8 - 13

Nov. 10 - 14

Dec. 3 - 6

Jan. 7 - 18

fourth DeaDline

Jan. 11, 2013

Jan. 17 - 23

Jan. 24 - 28

Feb. 25 - March 1

March 14 - 28

fifth DeaDline

Feb. 15, 2013

Feb. 26 - March 5

March 8 - 13

April 1 - 5

April 18 - May 1

steps***

Apply online

If invited, complete online activity

If invited, complete

30-minute phone interview

If invited, complete final interview

If admitted, learn about

your assignment and accept

or decline our offer

Sept. 21 - 26

Oct. 15 - 19

Nov. 1 - 15


Lifelong Leaders

Where We Work

How to Apply

Who We Look For



http://www.teachforamerica.org/how-to-apply


Lifelong Leaders

Where We Work

How to Apply

Who We Look For



training anD professional Development

training anD professional Development

The students we teach are often far behind their peers in more affluent communities. In order to create the dramatic

change that is necessary for our students to reach their full potential, corps members must be more than just effective

teachers. Through years of studying the habits, beliefs, and actions of teachers who have succeeded in putting their students

on a different life path, we have learned that they employ principles used by great leaders in all circumstances. This

philosophy is the basis for the Teaching As Leadership framework, the foundation of our training and support program.

Succeeding as a new teacher is extraordinarily challenging, but you will not face this challenge alone. All corps

members attend a rigorous pre-corps training institute, receive one-on-one coaching and professional development

throughout their two years, and have access to thousands of online resources. Corps members who take responsibility

for their own development and maximize these resources and their support network of fellow corps members,

alumni, and staff show the most growth in their leadership abilities both inside and outside of the classroom.

“Being a corps member has allowed me to become the leader that I have always wanted

to become, but more importantly, the leader that my students need me to become.”

Maingold Chhim, Detroit Corps ’10 | University of California, Los Angeles

Pre-instituteindependent work Summer training institute

Coaching, professional development, and support during the corps

Regional Induction Regional Orientation Career and leadership development resources for alumni


Lifelong Leaders

Where We Work

How to Apply

Who We Look For



http://www.teachforamerica.org/training-and-support


Lifelong Leaders

Where We Work

How to Apply

Who We Look For



compensation anD

benefits

compensation anD benefits

Corps members are full-time teachers employed by their school districts. They receive full salaries and the same comprehensive

health benefits as other beginning teachers. Additional benefits, such as funding for relocation, testing, and start-up costs and help

with student loans, are available to ease your transition and support your financial stability. We recognize that personal finances

can vary widely from person to person. Visit our website to learn more about compensation and costs in our 46 regions.

snapshot of corps member compensation

*Teach For America is currently a member of AmeriCorps. Given the nature of the AmeriCorps competitive grant process and the dependence on Congressional

funding cycles, we cannot guarantee these benefits for corps members serving during the 2013-2014 school year until receiving final confirmation in June 2013.

Recent changes in national service laws may result in an adjustment to the education award for the 2013-2014 year. Per regulations, the AmeriCorps education

award and interest accrual payments are considered to be taxable income for the year they are used. Most corps members use their AmeriCorps awards to

cover the costs of coursework required to obtain their teaching certification. For more details, review the cost comparison tools on our website.

• Salary

• Health insurance

• Retirement benefits

• Educator discounts

• Money for relocation and transition

• AmeriCorps education award of up to $11,100*

• Federal loan forbearance and interest paid for two years

• Exclusive scholarships and benefits from graduate schools and employers


Lifelong Leaders

Where We Work

How to Apply

Who We Look For



http://www.teachforamerica.org/compensation


Lifelong Leaders

Where We Work

How to Apply

Who We Look For



lifelongleaDers


Lifelong Leaders

Where We Work

How to Apply

Who We Look For



lifelong leaDers

Providing a great education to all students will require much more than bringing great leaders into classrooms for two years. We need our

alumni to continue throughout their lives as active members of the movement to expand educational opportunity. Teach For America alumni

are part of a network of leaders who support each other personally and professionally throughout their careers as they advocate for kids.

Whether you choose to remain in education or pursue a career in another field, your corps experience will expand your

options and your ability to make an impact on this critical issue. Nearly 28,000 people are part of the Teach For America

alumni network, with access to resources and benefits that foster their leadership and impact after the corps:

“Because of what I saw in the classroom, I started an organization that helps turn around chronically failing

schools. My experience in the corps helped me tremendously in my current position: it taught me about

time management, project planning, community relations, building relationships, and setting goals.”

Dominique Lee, Greater Newark Corps ’07 | Executive Director, Building Responsible Intelligent Creative Kids (BRICK) | University of Michigan

Career and Leadership Center

Alumni have access to online career resources, including alumni mentors, newsletters, discussion groups,

webinars, resume drives, interview-preparation tools, self-assessments, and a robust job board.

Alumni Leadership Initiatives

While we have resources to support our alumni in all sectors, we focus many of our career resources and

partnerships in fields that have a direct impact on the achievement gap. These include Board Leadership,

School Leadership, Teacher Leadership, and Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

http://www.teachforamerica.org/alumni-resources


Lifelong Leaders

Where We Work

How to Apply

Who We Look For



lifelong leaDers

Leadership for Educational Equity

Teach For America’s partner organization LEE helps alumni to pursue careers in policy and advocacy and to

serve in elected office, and connects them to education-policy issues in their communities.

Regional Alumni Support

In many of our regions, staff members meet with alumni, host events, and develop strategic partnerships

to connect alumni with one another and support their career and civic goals.

Graduate School and Employer Partnerships

Hundreds of graduate-school and employer partners value the corps experience and offer special benefits to Teach For

America corps members and alumni. These include two-year deferrals, scholarships, internships, and career mentoring.

Connections to Our Mission

Alumni summits, our One Day magazine, and volunteer opportunities help alumni deepen their

knowledge of and engagement with education issues and the Teach For America network.

“The disparities I saw during the corps went beyond education to health care and nutrition. I had

students who were frequently absent due to inadequate medical treatment. I was struck by the idea

of all of this lost potential; I decided the best way I could work to restore it was in the medical realm.”

Jonathan Brenner, New York Corps ’06 | Pediatrician | State University of New York, Downstate, M.D.; Johns Hopkins M.P.H. | Northwestern University

http://www.teachforamerica.org/alumni-resources

why teach for america · why teach for america? ... dominique lee, greater newark corps ’07 ......

Documents