Skip to main content

Twin Cities

Education is one of the most powerful levers to foster economic mobility. TFA Twin Cities has committed to a goal that by 2030, twice as many children in communities we serve will reach key educational milestones that build a path to economic mobility and a future filled with possibility. To reach this goal, we seek to leverage the scale and diversity of our network to drive learning, innovation, and collective impact.
A teacher writing on a chalkboard.
On This Page

About Us

Minnesota is a top 10 state in a variety of livability measures (according to U.S. News): healthcare, employment, and education. We rank seventh in the country for PreK through 12th grade education. That said, student achievement results indicate massive disparities in educational outcomes by race and class. While these rates have improved slightly over the past few years, Minnesota ranks in the bottom four states for four-year high school graduation for Black, Latinx, and Indigenous students. Only 60 percent of Minnesota's students of color graduate—and of that group, only one-third go on to enroll in post-secondary institutions. Thirty percent of low-income background students and students of color enrolled in college have to take remedial coursework. At the same time, as our student population grows more diverse, our education system is not built to serve them and meet their needs. These are the challenges that face our community.



We are working towards an equitable future for all children in Minnesota. Teach For America is a network of leaders transforming the education landscape in the Twin Cities Metro Area in order to ensure that one day all students have access to an excellent education. We recruit and develop promising young leaders to teach in low-income schools for at least two years, then support their impact throughout their career, both within and outside of the education system. The majority of our alumni continue to work on issues impacting racial and educational equity in our community. They are leaders who are living out their dedication to the Teach For America mission in schools, policy, business, law, healthcare and non-profits across the Twin Cities.

Changemakers wanted.

Check your eligibility to join the Twin Cities corps today.
Check Eligibility

More About the Twin Cities

The Twin Cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis are incredibly rich and diverse cities with dramatic skylines, exciting pro sports, award-winning theaters, renowned restaurants and a booming craft beer scene. Whether you are a music-lover, avid biker, or love hiking- there is something for everyone. Minnesota is home to 66 state parks, 10,000 lakes and historic music venues famous for their live music. We enjoy all four seasons, and while you have likely heard of our snowy winters we also enjoy beautiful summers and vibrant falls.



Our region is situated on stolen Dakota land. Both the State of Minnesota and the United States Government have carried out genocide, ethnic cleansing, and forced removal against the Dakota as a way to acquire land. Despite centuries of colonial theft and violence, this is still Indigenous land, and will always be Indigenous land. Indigenous people continue to demonstrate their talents and gifts amidst a backdrop of ongoing colonialism and oppression.



Our powerful BIPOC, Indigenous and working class communities have led struggles and movements across the history of our state. For instance, The American Indian Movement (AIM), a Native American grassroots movement was founded in Minneapolis in 1968. Initially centered in urban areas to address systemic issues of poverty, discrimination, and police brutality against Native Americans, AIM soon widened its focus from urban issues to include many Indigenous Tribal issues that Native American groups have faced due to settler colonialism of the Americas. The state also has a strong history of labor struggles, with unions leading actions for Labor Rights.



The land of 10,000 lakes is home to a number of vibrant immigrant communities. We have the second largest Hmong population in the U.S, as well as the largest Somali population in the world outside of Somalia. Minnesota also has the largest population of urban Native students in the country, and the largest and most tribally diverse urban settlement of Indigenous or American Indian communities. Minneapolis is also a sanctuary city, with 13% of the refugees in the country, residing among 2% of the state’s population.

Our Network

Our region is comprised of a diverse, expansive network of corps members and alumni. Nineteen percent of our corps and 16 percent of alums identify as people of color, and more than one-fifth come from low-income background. Our alums span across all sectors in the Twin Cities’ community, from teachers to policy and advocacy leaders.

Teach For America teacher being hugged by students

Mikisha Nation

Executive Director

Teach For America Twin Cities

Mikisha brings 15 years of experience in corporate, government, and nonprofit leadership to her role as Executive Director of Teach For America's Twin Cities region. Mikisha shares lived experience with many of the students we serve and is deeply committed to ending educational inequity.

Get in Touch

Questions about Teach For America Twin Cities?
Send Us A Note

Alumni Fellowships

We are committed to providing structured, cohort-based professional development opportunities to the alumni community in the form of three distinct fellowship programs designed to encourage and support alumni leaders in the Twin Cities region.

Support Our Work

Your generosity helps create a future in which all children in the Twin Cities can learn, lead, and thrive.
Donate