Living & Expenses 2011
Salary
Salary
$36,100–$41,000
$36,100–$41,000
Cost of Living
Housing Costs (single)
$350–$500
$350–$500
Housing Costs (shared)
$200–$400
$200–$400
Health Insurance
$25
$25
Utilities
$65
$65
Daycare
$340
$340
Monthly Transit Pass
N/A
N/A
Car Required
Yes
Yes
Car Insurance
$135
$135
Start-Up
Costs
Testing Costs
$120
$120
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
$3,200 for certification program plus 2–5 tests throughout the year at $120 / test
$3,200 for certification program plus 2–5 tests throughout the year at $120 / test
Use Americorps award for testing/certification
No
No
How is teaching certification structured in this state/region?
One year – through certification partner
One year – through certification partner
Is it possible to complete a master's degree at the end of the two years?
No
No
Is a master's degree required?
No
No
Partner Universities
N/A
N/A
Teacher Certification Information
Our corps members participate in Region One's Project PaCE Alternative Certification Program, through which they have the opportunity to attain full teacher certification in one year. If any corps members have already been certified in another state, we will work together to determine the best method of becoming certified in Texas.
The Project PaCE certification process involves the following components:
- A year-long literacy seminar that is designed to enhance literacy instruction in all grade levels and content areas
- Professional development seminars that occur throughout the year
- Observations from Project PaCE supervisors
- A school-based mentor program
- A personal case study to reflect on differentiation strategies
Corps members must also pass the following exams in order to be certified:
- The state TExES exam in their content area (taken during the Teach For America summer training institute)
- Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities exam (taken during their first year of teaching)
Additionally, corps members have the opportunity to begin a master's program at the University of Texas Pan-American, the University of Texas Brownsville, or through an online program following their completion of alternative certification.
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.