Birthplace of deep-dish pizza, the Bears, Ebony magazine, Second City improv, and the Oprah Winfrey Show, Chicago has long been a leading source of American innovation, and current Chicagoans are no exception. A true urban hub, the city is brimming with energy and filled with creative outlets for its varied residents. Perhaps best known as a staunch sports town, Chicago also excels in the artistic arena — with its theatrical community (that some say rivals Broadway), and renowned architecture and impressive art galleries in the downtown Loop district. Outside of the Loop, the Magnificent Mile offers countless options for shopping enthusiasts and various restaurants featuring food from all over the world.
| Quick Stats |
|---|
| Site Since: 2000 |
| Corps Size: 230 |
| Average yearly temperature: 49° |
| Car: Access to car is preferable; public transportation is available |
Salary: See cost of living  |
During the warm months, Chicagoans are rarely inside; the city has over 7,000 acres of parkland and 552 parks. Lake Michigan forms the eastern border of the city, and this area alone boasts 18 miles of bike paths, 15 miles of beaches, and 29 miles of lakefront. These areas are always bustling with people exercising and soaking up the sun.
Chicago is also home to first-rate museums, many of which offer free admission at least once a week. On any given day corps members can visit Sue, the largest and most complete T-Rex skeleton in the world at the Field Museum of Natural History, explore Chicago's African-American History at the DuSable Museum, or take a walk through the Mexican Fine Arts Museum, the largest Latino cultural organization in the country.
With the region’s current expansion into Gary, just south of the city, corps members will enjoy the semi-rural feel of this redeveloping community. The district, once an industrial mecca, is a 40-minute car ride from downtown and is between five and 20 minutes from the southern border of the city.
Chicago has been, and still is, a prominent destination for people looking for new opportunities, both from within the United States and abroad. The city exemplifies this history through its 77 distinctive neighborhoods, which are shaped by traditions brought from Mexico, China, Nigeria, Europe (mostly Ireland, Italy, Poland, and Lithuania), Korea, India, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean, among others.
Many corps members choose to share apartments with other corps members during their two-year commitment, and they live in a variety of neighborhoods. One popular choice is Logan Square, a West Side neighborhood that is populated primarily by families and single professionals, and known for its picturesque boulevards and eclecticism. Lakeview is another site where corps members often live. This neighborhood is located on Chicago's North Side and is filled with recent college graduates, vibrant nightlife, numerous restaurants, and unique shops. Hyde Park is an additional, long-established choice for our teachers. A lakefront community on Chicago's South Side, Hyde Park is home to the DuSable Museum, the University of Chicago, and the Museum of Science and Industry.
Please note that all Chicago Public School teachers are required to live within the Chicago city limits. All teachers have six months from the time of being hired to establish city residency.
The Teach For America • Chicago corps is currently 230 strong, in 88 elementary, middle, and high schools across Chicago and Gary. Together, the Chicago corps impacts over 20,000 students. Ninety percent of Chicago corps members are placed in schools with other corps members or alumni. Over the next five years, the size of the Chicago corps is expected to double — further increasing our impact in Chicago. For the first time in the region’s history, corps members are being placed in early childhood education classrooms across the city. In the 2008-09 school year, the Chicago corps will continue to increase its impact in Gary schools.
Chicago corps members are focused on leading their students to the highest levels of achievement. According to the most recent biennial survey of principals who employ Teach For America teachers, conducted by the research firm Kane, Parsons & Associates in 2005, nearly three out of four principals considered their Teach For America teachers more effective than other beginning teachers.
Teach For America alumni in Chicago support current corps members by helping prepare them for life after the corps. Each fall, alumni and corps members convene for the annual fall barbecue to network and share best practices. Alumni of all sectors engage with corps members and serve as mentors throughout their two year experience. The regional alumni support team and program directors begin working with corps members in the beginning of their second year to map out future opportunities and next steps after their corps commitment.
Our corps members
Placement regions
Corps and Alumni
