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Greater Philadelphia

Since 2003, more than 2,000 Teach For America Greater Philadelphia corps members have educated and empowered our city’s most overlooked and underserved communities, reaching tens of thousands of students each year. We’re all working to ensure that one day all children in Philadelphia will have the opportunity to attain an excellent education.
Tamir Harper (left) is a high school senior. Sterling Grimes (right) teaches high school English.
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About Us

About Us

Since 2003, we have brought more than 2,000 new teachers to Greater Philadelphia, with two-thirds of our most recent group of alumni choosing to stay local and remain in the classroom beyond their two-year commitment. As a critical talent and leadership pipeline in education and beyond, we are also one of the most diverse teacher pipelines in the city of Philadelphia with 50% of our current corps identifying as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. Our alumni lead and fuel the efforts of change throughout the city: more than 400 of our alumni remain as teachers in Philadelphia classrooms, nearly 10% of all Philadelphia principals are TFA alumni, and 70 alumni serve in mid and senior systems level leadership roles in district and charter systems.

Despite the progress that we have begun to see, we know there is much more potential waiting to be unlocked. This is where you come in. The nearly 200,000 students in Philadelphia public schools are the ones who will write our city’s future and it is on us—alongside our city’s thousands of other dedicated educators—to help prepare them for this task. We must help students build the knowledge, skills, and leadership traits and develop the social and cultural consciousness that will allow them to realize their full potential and become our city’s next generation of leaders.

Changemakers wanted.

Check your eligibility to join the Greater Philadelphia corps today.
Check Eligibility

Living Here

Living Here

From the cobblestone streets of Old City to the trees and gardens along the Schuylkill River trail, Philadelphia is a city with character. It has world-class restaurants; museums and art galleries; four major league sports teams; and a thriving music scene. Philadelphia has the largest urban park in the country, Fairmount Park, complete with running paths, waterfalls, and a Japanese garden. But as much as any of these things, Philadelphia is known for being a city of small, walkable neighborhoods that make it feel comfortable and down-to-earth as well.

two above ground trains run through a neighborhood in philadelphia

Local Leadership

Anna Shurak

Anna Shurak

Greater Philadelphia '04

Executive Director

Teach For America Greater Philadelphia

Anna's corps experience inspired a career dedicated to the students and communities in Philly and rooted in educational equity. She has since spent her career working to strengthen classrooms, redesign schools, and lead systems-level change in Philadelphia and Camden. 

Get in Touch

Questions about Teach For America Greater Philadelphia?
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Certification and Graduate School

All Greater Philadelphia corps members and alumni teachers must meet state requirements to teach in Pennsylvania schools. See below for answers to common questions about becoming certified to teach in our region. 

20th Anniversary Events

20th Anniversary Events

Since 2003, Teach For America has recruited over 2,000 talented and diverse leaders to our city.

 They are teachers, school leaders, system leaders, leaders in policy, government, non-profits and more, working across all sectors to impact the broader education system. In support of our ambitious goal that by 2032, twice as many students in the communities we serve will be proficient in reading by the end of 3rd grade, we invite you to join us in celebrating Teach For America - Greater Philadelphia's 20th Anniversary at our three signature events. 

 

Reading Promise Week Event October 13, 2023

  • 5pm-7pm at Pan American Academy Charter School
  • Community carnival celebrating reading for children, families, and Philly neighbors
  • In partnership with Read by 4th

Legacy & Leadership: Honoring Black Educators' Leadership Journeys February 28, 2024

  • 5:30pm-8pm at P4 Hub Event Venue
  • An evening of reflection, celebration, and community, honoring the journeys of Black educators 

A Celebration of Alumni Impact May 16, 2024

  • 5:30pm-8:30pm at Lincoln Financial Field, Hyundai Club
  • This event will honor our TFA alumni and the work they have done to support students, schools, and our Philadelphia community over the last two decades
  • Register here

If you are interested in sponsoring one or all of Teach For America -

Greater Philadelphia's 20th Anniversary events, please contact: 

Caitlin Wood Sklar at 215-284-7515 or caitlin.woodsklar@teachforamerica.org

 

If you'd like to make a donation to support our 20th anniversary year and 2032 goal, click here.

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Support Our Work

Your generosity helps create a future in which all children in Greater Philadelphia can learn, lead, and thrive.