Our 12,000 alumni are a leadership force - working from within education and from every sector to effect fundamental change.

Take the Next Step - A Call to School Leadership

"Urban education in the U.S. is broken and it is failing kids who really need the opportunities most. It is going to take the will of the people to change this. It will take the will of impact players like Teach For America corps members - young leaders that embody the rare human qualities of extraordinary talent and the will to take no excuses - to take up this mission and make our nation a better nation."

- Joel Klein
New York City Schools Chancellor

Currently, more than 275 Teach For America alumni serve as successful principals and superintendents in 31 states, the District of Columbia, and three international territories. By 2010, we aim to have 800 Teach For America alumni leading their own schools and districts. They will be joined by thousands of alumni who continue to teach, coach, and serve in schools across the country.  Together, these alumni will dramatically impact the academic success of millions of students.

The Facts

  • The number of positions in education administration is expected to grow by as much as 20 percent in the next five years
  • 40 percent of the current administrators will be eligible to retire by 2010

Source: Wallace Foundation Policy Brief, 2003

In 2006, Teach For America launched the School Leadership Initiative with the goal of increasing the number of qualified alumni pursuing pathways to school leadership. We believe that Teach For America alumni like you are primed to help meet the growing demand for exceptional teacher-leaders, building administrators, principals and district leaders in charter, district, and independent schools across the country.

The School Leadership Initiative seeks to accelerate the path to leadership for qualified alumni by fostering structured relationships with district, charter, and graduate school partners on both the national and regional levels. These partnerships offer ready access to teacher-leader, school management, and professional development opportunities for alumni looking to build school leadership skills.

Teaching for two years in a low-income community provided you with an unparalleled opportunity to grow and develop as an instructional leader in a challenging and rewarding environment. This perspective and insight is the critical first step to pursuing a career as a school leader.