Living & Expenses 2011
Salary
Salary
$27,000–$43,000
$27,000–$43,000
Cost of Living
Housing Costs (single)
$600–$1,200
$600–$1,200
Housing Costs (shared)
$500–$700
$500–$700
Health Insurance
$50–$70
$50–$70
Utilities
$100–$200
$100–$200
Daycare
$800 / month
$800 / month
Monthly Transit Pass
$68
$68
Car Required
Car is essential
Car is essential
Car Insurance
$70–$150
$70–$150
Start-Up
Costs
Testing Costs
$165–430
$165–430
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
$5,000–$17,000
$5,000–$17,000
Use Americorps award for testing/certification
Americorps award can be used toward certification costs with the university partner
Americorps award can be used toward certification costs with the university partner
How is teaching certification structured in this state/region?
Two year - through university or training partner
Two year - through university or training partner
Is it possible to complete a master's degree at the end of the two years?
Yes, if certification is pursued through the University partner
Yes, if certification is pursued through the University partner
Is a master's degree required?
No
No
Partner Universities
Georgia State University, Metro RESA
Georgia State University, Metro RESA
Teacher Certification Information
In Georgia, corps members must obtain a provisional teaching certificate. District and state policy require all corps members to be enrolled in an approved alternative certification program.
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.
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.