Living & Expenses 2011
Salary
Salary
$34,059
$34,059
Cost of Living
Housing Costs (single)
$800–$1000
$800–$1000
Housing Costs (shared)
$400–$600
$400–$600
Health Insurance
Approx. $60 through school benefits program
Approx. $60 through school benefits program
Utilities
$70
$70
Daycare
$500
$500
Monthly Transit Pass
$78
$78
Car Required
Yes
Yes
Car Insurance
$65
$65
Start-Up
Costs
Testing Costs
$210
$210
Up Front Certification Costs
How Do You Pay Start-Up Costs
Out of Pocket
Out of Pocket
Ongoing Costs Through the Two-Year Commitment
Ongoing Certification Costs
Min. $3,426 for coursework and $80 for testing
Min. $3,426 for coursework and $80 for testing
Use Americorps award for testing/certification
Can't be used for up-front certification costs. Can be used to repay student loans or to pay future tuition.
Can't be used for up-front certification costs. Can be used to repay student loans or to pay future tuition.
How is teaching certification structured in this state/region?
Must pass PRAXIS exam(s) and minimum of two courses for transitional teaching license
Must pass PRAXIS exam(s) and minimum of two courses for transitional teaching license
Is it possible to complete a master's degree at the end of the two years?
Yes
Yes
Is a master's degree required?
No
No
Partner Universities
Lipscomb University
Lipscomb University
Teacher Certification Information
In order to be qualified to teach, Greater Nashville corps members are required to take and pass content-specific Praxis exams prior to the school year, as well as during the school year. Corps members must also take a minimum of two courses offered through our university partner, Lipscomb University, in order to receive a transitional teaching license. These courses are specifically tailored by Lipscomb University, in collaboration with Teach For America, to meet the needs of corps members. Additionally, corps members can become fully licensed after taking an additional two courses, and have the option to earn a master’s of education by taking courses on top of the licensure coursework.
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.
- 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.
Teach For America was named one of Fortune magazine's top 100 employers to work for.
Teach For America was named one of America's top 100 Ideal Employers in Universum's 2011 American Student Survey.