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South Carolina

South Carolina’s educational challenges are deeply rooted. But together, we can help solve them. Join our growing movement of more than 800 teachers and alumni who are partnering with schools and communities to realize the day when every child in South Carolina has an equal opportunity to learn, lead, thrive, and co-create a future filled with possibility.
Melissa Lawrence asking question to students who are raising hands to answer.
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Our Impact in South Carolina

While South Carolina is rich in culture, history, and community, educational opportunity is not spread equally. Small, rural, and under-resourced schools struggle to fill their classrooms with excellent teachers, contributing to inequitable outcomes between urban and rural students and between white students and students of color.

Teach For America South Carolina (TFASC) is working to recruit, develop, and retain high-quality teachers who transform student outcomes in the state’s most under-resourced schools. Our movement has grown from placing our first corps of 31 teachers in the Pee Dee region to supporting more than 800 teachers who positively impacted more than 70,000 students across the state since 2011. In addition to serving as role models, nearly two-thirds of our first- and second-year teachers achieved over a year’s worth of academic growth in their classrooms – closing learning gaps at accelerated rates. 

Our network of teachers and alumni partner with schools and communities to realize the day when every child in South Carolina – no matter their race or zip code – has an equal opportunity to learn, lead, thrive, and co-create a future filled with possibility.

“TFASC's ongoing support helped me to achieve the best results in my classroom, and their resources proved to be effective every single time.”

Deion Jamison

South Carolina Teacher of the Year 2023

South Carolina Corps Member 2017

“TFASC teachers infused a momentum in our school culture that was unstoppable and undeniable for the good of our students, our school, and our community.  ”

Kimberly Sutton Mason

Principal, Rosenwald Elementary and Middle School

Echols and his students gather to discuss.

Our Programs

We are expanding our approach from placing teachers in hard-to-staff schools to developing and retaining outstanding educators beyond our corps model—impacting more students, schools, and communities. 

Our programs are designed to support you through every stage of your leadership journey—from early exploration into the possibilities of a career in education to targeted development for roles in educational leadership and beyond.

Innovators Wanted

Check your eligibility to join the South Carolina corps today.
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Get Involved

Get Involved

Learn more about our alumni region and connect with fellow alumni.

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Local Leadership

Courtney Waters sitting on steps

Courtney Waters

Executive Director

Teach For America South Carolina

Courtney has been with Teach For America South Carolina since 2018, leading alumni strategy and programs, external partnerships, thought leadership, fund development and the region’s state funding strategy. She most appreciates that TFA has provided an opportunity to work with state leaders and observe how South Carolina’s education system functions. She believes TFA is uniquely positioned to see the entire field, from policy to the practice of teaching, and align itself to provide innovative, community rooted support to districts across the state. Before joining this team, Courtney worked as a high school ELA teacher and in the supply chain management field in business development. She received a M.A. International Studies from Rhodes College and an M.A. Curriculum and Instruction from The University of Mississippi. She is a member  of the Charleston County School District’s Board of Trustees. 

Get in Touch.

Questions about Teach For America South Carolina?
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Support our efforts to connect TFA alums to opportunities to expand their impact in South Carolina.
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