Milwaukee

Milwaukee is known as “great city on a great lake” for good reason. As our corps members are discovering, it is also a city eager for new allies as we confront our greatest challenges in education.

Quick Stats
Site Opening: 2009
Corps Size: 38
Average summer temperature: 71 ° Average winter temperature: 24 °
Car: Access to car is essential

Beginning teacher's salary : $35,000

In education, we face an undeniable reality: there is a persistent lack of opportunity for the state’s poorest students. Wisconsin is home to the nation’s largest race-based achievement gap. Whether measured by graduation rates or reading scores – no state has a larger chasm between the education afforded to white students and to students of color.

Life

Milwaukee corps members will discover a city with a rich cultural history known for festivals, food, and neighborhoods. The city is recognized for its tight-knit community, as well as its rich ethnic heritage. Made up of immigrants from around the world, Milwaukee celebrates its identity as a cultural melting pot throughout the year with a vast array of ethnic festivals and excellent restaurants. The city also offers many outstanding recreational and cultural activities to its residents and visitors. Whether corps members want to explore attractions like the world-renowned Milwaukee Art Museum, Discovery World, or the Harley Davidson Museum, take in a film festival or concert at one-of-a-kind venues like the Pabst or Oriental theatres, or hit up one of this old brewing center’s multiple brewery tours, all discover quickly that this city truly has something for everyone.

Milwaukee is very also affordable, and many corps members will be able to save during their two years or even pay off student loans while still finding time for an active social life in a vibrant city. Milwaukee's big-city advantages are enhanced by a friendly small-town spirit and Old World charm. Corps members will have an opportunity to live in one of Milwaukee’s many vibrant neighborhoods where architectural and cultural reminders of Milwaukee’s Old-World heritage loom large.

Corps Culture

Milwaukee corps members will be welcomed into a close-knit corps with a strong sense of community. The Milwaukee charter corps – currently 37 strong – is playing a significant role in the development of regional programming and a welcoming culture. The corps takes deep pride in the high level of support that they provide to one another.

• Most corps members live with or near other corps members
• They often spend evenings and weekends together, and frequent the Teach For America office to visit and check out materials from the corps member resource room
• Corps member are active in organizing a wide variety of all-corps socials – with events including movie nights, Milwaukee Brewers games, corps and staff kickball, happy hours, and restaurant outings

Corps members will also be welcomed by a historically active community of educators who have long sought answers to closing the achievement gap for students in the city. These educators are now looking to Teach For America as a key lever in helping eliminate educational inequity and providing quality education to the city’s students.