Living & Expenses 2011

Salary

Salary
$42,000–$45,000

Cost of Living

Housing Costs (single)
$800–$1,350
Housing Costs (shared)
$500–$1,000
Health Insurance
$75
Utilities
$100
Daycare
NA
Monthly Transit Pass
$80
Car Required
In Prince George's County, car required. In D.C., recommended.
Car Insurance
$225

Start-Up
Costs

Testing Costs
$150–$300
Up Front Certification Costs
How Do You Pay Start-Up Costs
Out of Pocket

Ongoing Costs Through the Two-Year Commitment

Ongoing Certification Costs
$4,150–$11,000
Use Americorps award for testing/certification
Applicable towards some certification programs.
How is teaching certification structured in this state/region?
See certification info below for detailed information.
Is it possible to complete a master's degree at the end of the two years?
Possible for some programs, but not others. There is a two year master’s program for all corps members that would begin in the second year.
Is a master's degree required?
No
Partner Universities
George Mason University, American University

Teacher Certification Information

Teacher certification is a requirement for all Teach For America • D.C. Region corps members. If you already hold a teaching license from another state, we will work with you to achieve reciprocity in the District of Columbia.

Certification requirements differ between sectors and subject areas, but all corps members are required to take and pass the Reading, Writing, and Mathematics Praxis I exam, and then an additional content-specific Praxis II exam (excluding Special Education teachers). Further requirements include but are not limited to certification classes at a University or certification provider, ongoing professional development with your school or district, and additional Praxis exams before the end of your two-year commitment.

For early childhood education, elementary education, and special education, there is a two year program through a university partner and Teach For America. For secondary education, there is a one year program through The New Teacher Project. If you are placed in Prince George’s County, there is a two year program through Prince George's County Public Schools and Teach For America .

All D.C. Region corps members and alumni have the opportunity to enroll in a master’s program at one of our partnering universities.

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.

 

 

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