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New Jersey

Disrupt. Imagine. Rebuild. Teach For America New Jersey works in partnership with communities to create an equitable education system that prepares 50,000 New Jersey students each day for success in life.
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Change is Happening in New Jersey

Change is Happening in New Jersey

What began in 1993 as a bold experiment has become a cornerstone of the movement for educational equity in New Jersey. Corps members have become some of our state’s leading educators, entrepreneurs, and policy makers.

In 1993, the narrative for students in cities like Newark and Camden was uncertain. Today—thanks to visionary leadership, bold decision-making, and committed partnerships—Newark has more students in "beating the odds" schools than 50 other cities across the country and more students in Camden are graduating from high school than ever before.

A large group of Teach For America New Jersey corps members and alumni.

Our Work

We started in 1993 with 24 corps members and a single goal: build a future where every child in New Jersey receives the education they need to fulfill their potential.

Today, our network of 1,800 corps members and alumni drive change for low-income students across our state. Corps members and alumni teach in our classrooms, lead our schools, advocate for fair education policies, and work with community-based organizations.

  • Our alumni lead 17 of the 23 highest performing schools in Newark.
  • Our alumni lead 8 of the 19 highest-performing schools in Camden.
  • We stay dedicated to this mission of educational equity in NJ. After their two-year commitment, 85 percent of our corps members stay working in education or related fields that deeply impact opportunities for students.

We believe in bringing talented and dedicated individuals into this work, supporting them as they lead their students in the classroom, and connecting them to a network in New Jersey that's working to expand educational opportunities from every direction. Change is happening here and we won't stop until all kids in this state receive an education that prepares them to pursue their dreams.

Changemakers Wanted.

Check your eligibility to join the New Jersey corps today.
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“Teaching in Newark has been the most spectacular experience I’ve ever had. Come meet my children, their families, and our community. Come listen to them read, watch them write, and hear them discuss. Come spend a day in my classroom. Come see the vibrancy I see.”

Alexandra Madaya

New Jersey Corps Member 2014

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Local Leadership

Tahina Perez

Tahina Perez

Executive Director

Teach For America New Jersey

Tahina Perez is a Teach For America alumni and Executive Director of Teach For America New Jersey.

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Support Our Work

Your generosity helps create a future in which all children New Jersey children can learn, lead, and thrive. Read more in our most recent Annual Report.