Living & Expenses 2011
Salary
Salary
$27,000–$31,000
$27,000–$31,000
Cost of Living
Housing Costs (single)
$150–$400
$150–$400
Housing Costs (shared)
$75–$200
$75–$200
Health Insurance
$0–$175 / month
$0–$175 / month
Utilities
$200 / month
$200 / month
Daycare
N/A
N/A
Monthly Transit Pass
N/A
N/A
Car Required
Yes
Yes
Car Insurance
$70 / month
$70 / month
Start-Up
Costs
Testing Costs
$150
$150
Up Front Certification Costs
How Do You Pay Start-Up Costs
Out-of-pocket. You can use transitional grants and loans if you take tests after first day of institute.
Out-of-pocket. You can use transitional grants and loans if you take tests after first day of institute.
Ongoing Costs Through the Two-Year Commitment
Ongoing Certification Costs
$0–$600
$0–$600
Use Americorps award for testing/certification
After your first year, you can apply your award to any additional classes you need.
After your first year, you can apply your award to any additional classes you need.
How is teaching certification structured in this state/region?
Is it possible to complete a master's degree at the end of the two years?
Not currently an option, though the program is in development
Not currently an option, though the program is in development
Is a master's degree required?
No
No
Partner Universities
Sinte Gleska University, Oglala Lakota College, University of South Dakota
Sinte Gleska University, Oglala Lakota College, University of South Dakota
Teacher Certification Information
To obtain their two-year teaching certificate, South Dakota corps members are required to pass the Praxis II exam in their certification area. They receive credit for the work completed at the summer institute, and must take Indian Education and Human Relations courses for six additional credits. Upon completion of these requirements and full participation in the Teach For America program, corps members must pass the Praxis PLT exam to obtain their renewable five-year certificate.
We are currently working with the University of South Dakota to create a master’s program for our corps members.
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.