Atlanta
Overview
Often referred to as the economic and cultural hub of the Southeast, the city of Atlanta has a prolific past that has beared witness to some of the most significant moments in American history. Yet we are at moment in time where the social, cultural and economic health of our great city is in peril. Half of Atlanta’s fourth graders are operating below basic levels in reading and math. Thirty-two percent of Metro Atlanta high school students drop out, and only 58 percent of those who stay in school graduate on time. Atlanta warmly welcomes quality educators who will improve the city’s pressing issue of academic inequity.
Life
With so many diverse communities, Atlanta’s unique neighborhoods stand as a fitting parallel to the rich melting pot that the city has become. Each community has its own charm and flavor. Whether interested in the funky, urban-renewal of Vinings, the distinctly So-Ho Virginia Highlands, or the ritzy modern feel of Buckhead, Atlanta’s various districts have so much to offer. No matter where corps members call home, all of the city’s attractions and amenities are evenly distributed so nothing is ever too far away.
Corps Culture
The current Atlanta corps is comprised of 210 energetic professionals committed to supporting one another in pursuit of their students’ academic achievement. Regional staff works closely with corps members in order to meet their professional development needs, and program directors conduct classroom observations and meet for one-on-one problem solving.
Atlanta corps members are committed to building a strong professional support network for one another. Corps members frequently collaborate on everything from lesson plans to planning celebrations for their students’ achievements. Many second year corps members and alumni also serve as mentors to first year corps members, and many people opt to live together, fostering a dynamic support system both personally and professionally.
Teaching
Currently, 210 Atlanta corps members are placed in 97 elementary, middle, and high schools within the Atlanta Public School (APS) and the Fulton County School systems. Teach For America • Atlanta has partnered with Atlanta Public Schools since 2000, when superintendent Dr. Beverly Hall was named APS superintendent. Dr. Hall decided she wanted to incorporate Teach For America into the school reform package she was developing in Atlanta. The school reform model, Project GRAD (Graduation Really Achieves Dreams), has recently been implemented in two clusters within the Atlanta school system. Over the last six years, more than 15 Atlanta corps members have been named Project GRAD Teachers of the Year.
As Teach For America • Atlanta expands its size and impact, our corps members and alumni are increasingly leading district and school initiatives. Corps members and alumni are serving as teachers in the single gender schools initiative, and as principals in two of the districts newest high schools. Dr. Hall remains a strong supporter of Teach For America, and she has worked to bring over 700 corps members to teach in Atlanta Public Schools since 2000. With our corps members’ heightened presence and success, our impact in Atlanta Public Schools is poised to continue to grow.
Certification and Testing
The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 requires that incoming teachers meet a specific set of criteria, partially determined by each state, in order to be deemed certified and "highly qualified". In Georgia, this means that corps members must obtain a provisional teaching certificate and be enrolled in an alternative certification program. To obtain a provisional teaching certificate, corps members must pass or be exempt from the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) Basic Skills assessments and pass the GACE content area assessments. Our alternative certification program partner is Georgia State University, and they offer different programs for each content area.
Teach For America · Atlanta will be partnering for the second year with Georgia State University. Corps members can enroll in required alternative certification courses. Additionally, corps members can choose to pursue a master’s degree. The certification program is divided into elementary, secondary, and special education cohorts. Completion of the certification coursework is a requirement to begin the master’s option. Corps members can learn more about Teach For America’s partnership with Georgia State University at: http://coe.gsu.edu/tfa/.
Placements
| Elementary |
42% |
| Secondary |
40% |
| Special Education |
18% |
| Teach at a school with another corps member or alumnus |
90% |
Placements Available
-
general subject elementary
-
specific subject secondary (science, math, social studies, and English)
-
elementary and secondary special education
-
foreign language for elementary, middle, and high school
|
Living and Education Expenses
Salary and Taxes
| Salary |
$35,000 - $42,000 |
| Taxes |
22.18% |
Cost of Living
| Housing Single |
$600 - $800 |
| Housing Shared |
$450 - $750 |
| Health Insurance |
$30 - $60 |
| Utilities |
$60 |
| Daycare |
$130 / month |
| Monthly Tranist Pass |
$53 |
| Car Insurance |
$150 |
| Car Required |
Access to car is essential |
Start-up Costs
| Testing Costs |
$95 - $290 |
| Up-front Certification Costs |
N/A |
| How do you pay start-up costs? |
Out-of-pocket |
Ongoing Costs through the Two-year Commitment
| Ongoing Certification Costs |
$1,600 - $6,000 |
| Use AmeriCorps award for testing/certification costs? |
Yes |
| How is teaching certification structured in this state/region? |
2 year - Through university or training partner |
| Is it possible to complete a master's degree at the end of two years? |
Yes |
| Is the completion of a master's degree required as part of the two-year commitment? |
No |
| Extra Master's Degree Costs |
$0 |
| Partner Universities |
Georgia State University |
Notes and Clarifications
- Beginning teacher salary: If you have a master's degree in education, are placed in a bilingual classroom, or in a math/science classroom you may receive additional compensation.
- Avg. health insurance: In some placement districts, health insurance premiums are pre-tax deductions.
- Total tax rate: Federal + state + city. Only applies to starting salaries.
- Up-front certification: Expenses that must be paid before your first day of teaching.
- Paying start-up costs: Can you pay for testing and up-front certification costs with transitional grants and loans or do you have to pay out-of-pocket?
- Ongoing certification: Total certification costs over two-year teaching commitment.
- AmeriCorps award for certification: Can you use your AmeriCorps award to pay testing/certification costs?
- Master's in two years: Is it possible to complete a master's degree at the end of two years?
- Master's required: Is the completion of a master's degree required as part of the two-year commitment?
- Extra master's degree costs: Additional total cost to obtain a master's degree (on top of ongoing certification costs); does not include AmeriCorps award.
- Partner university(ies): These universities partner with Teach For America for ongoing certification requirements, and in some cases, the fulfillment of a master's degree in education.
