Idaho
About Us
Idaho’s education system can, at times, feel as rugged as its landscape. Less than half of all students are proficient in reading and math and less than a quarter of adults in the state have a bachelor’s degree or higher. Looking more closely at Idaho’s student population, there's a disparity in the performance of low-income and Hispanic students compared to their wealthier peers. These statistics only begin to highlight the inequity that exists throughout the state, which since 2007 has ranked last in the country for average annual wage, per-capita income, and wage increases. This trend is expected to continue for the next 10 years, while employers will simultaneously increase their demand for individuals with higher levels of education.
Working to reverse this trend, the response to Idaho’s growing inequity has been strong. In Treasure Valley, coalitions of local districts, foundations, nonprofits, individuals, and businesses have worked to raise awareness and develop innovative solutions. At the statewide level, the governor and state board of education recently headed a task force focused on improving the state's education system. Notably, local organizations are working to provide support for more personalized learning experiences for students and for school leadership training.
Teach For America Idaho is adding fuel to this movement. We’re recruiting more leaders to serve as high quality educators for some of Idaho’s neediest students. You’ll become a lifelong advocate, continuing to push for change, from all sectors and industries.
As an Idaho corps member, you’ll have the opportunity to fuel the new and growing movement for educational equity in Idaho.
In Idaho,
49%
of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.
Idaho has the
3rd
largest math achievement gap in the US between white and Latinx students.
In Idaho, just
36%
of adults aged 25 or older attain a postsecondary degree.
In Idaho,
49%
of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.
Idaho has the
3rd
largest math achievement gap in the US between white and Latinx students.
In Idaho, just
36%
of adults aged 25 or older attain a postsecondary degree.
Living Here
Living Here
Idaho may be one of the United States’ best kept secrets. Sometimes confused with Ohio and Iowa, or talked about in relation to its famous potatoes, Idaho has a lot more to offer than many people outside the state realize. Its most popular feature is outdoor recreation; Idaho’s landscape is bursting with variety. Mountains soar above 12,000 feet and canyons plunge to form Hells Canyon, the deepest river gorge in North America. Idaho also has more wilderness than any other state in the lower 48. The state’s 13 national forests are great for fishing, hiking, and hunting, and the backcountry is filled with trails for backpacking and exploring.
As one of the fastest growing states in the U.S., Idaho is becoming more and more recognized as a desirable place to live due to its low crime rate, affordable cost of living, and abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities. With a statewide population of 1.7 million people and area of 84,000 square miles, Idaho is the 14th largest but 12th least populous state. Drive just one or two hours from the Teach For America office in Nampa and you can find yourself skiing at Bogus Basin Ski Resort, hiking in the Owyhee Mountains, or biking on the Greenbelt along the banks of the Boise River.
“As someone who was born and raised here, I can personally speak to the wonderful community that exists in Idaho, which is unique in the way everyone shows up for one another in times of celebration and struggle. We still have work to do, but I believe that in 20 years we will look back and be proud of the educational opportunities that exist for all children here in Idaho.”
Teaching Here
Teaching Here
Our more than 30 corps members teach 3,000 students in seven different communities within the Treasure Valley, which is in the southwestern part of the state and spans from the rural Oregon border to Idaho’s urban capital, Boise. With a combined population of over 700,000 residents, the Treasure Valley contains Idaho’s three largest cities. Corps members are placed in 24 different public and charter schools across nine school districts.
School Building Mentor Fellowship
What is the School Building Mentor Fellowship?
The School Building Mentor Fellowship is a paid fellowship opportunity for veteran teachers in Teach For America partner schools and districts. Mentors will support 1-2 second year corps members or “mentees” within their school building or district.
How will I benefit from this program?
Mentors will have an opportunity to gain valuable adult coaching experience and receive professional development through their engagement in individual/group training and reflection throughout the year. Mentors will be paid a $3,000 stipend in periodic installments and have access to Teach for America’s alumni resources for their commitment and completion of this fellowship program.
Fellows agree to participate in the following components:
- Summer Orientation
- Conduct monthly coaching conversations with their assigned mentees and upload documentation with Teach for America staff
- Group Learning experiences (see below)
- Earn a Leadership Endorsement, recognized by the Idaho State Department of Education
To learn more, please complete this interest form.
To refer someone to this fellowship, please complete this referral form.
Check out this article from the Teach For America website highlighting the experience of mentor and mentee teachers in this fellowship!
Summer Learning Lab
Our Regional Practicum Experience: Summer Learning Lab
Summer Learning Lab is a four to five week summer school program for at-risk students in Payette, Idaho. This experience was created in partnership with Payette School District to provide students with additional learning time to both reduce learning loss over the summer months and to create the opportunity for students to test out a “future of their choice” through project based learning, community partnerships, and a cumulative field trip experience. New corps members are required to participate in this program to earn their interim teaching certification and get hands on practice in a classroom.
Where We Teach
Caldwell is the county seat of Canyon County, and has a population of about 46,000 people. It offers quick access to Boise and the rest of the Treasure Valley and is home to two colleges, golf courses, a greenbelt walking path, bicycle and walking paths throughout the community, and more. Popular attractions include the Canyon County Fair, Caldwell Nigh Rodeo, Caldwell Family YMCA, and the Sunny Slope Wine Trail.
Garden City is a 4.2-square mile urban enclave surrounded by the cities of Boise and Eagle, with a population of about 11,000. The Boise River runs through the city, and the foothills and mountains of the Boise National Forest outline the sky to the north and east. A bourgeoning arts and culture scene attracts residents from across the Treasure Valley to enjoy local wineries, breweries, local restaurants, and arts centers. Garden City is also home to Boise Hawks Baseball and Western Idaho State Fair.
Homedale is a small community of 2,600 people located on the Snake River. The local school district includes an elementary, middle, and high school, and the community is home to several popular community parks, the Owyhee County Fair and Rodeo, and the Homedale Farmers Market. Within minutes residents can enjoy a plethora of outdoor activities, including swimming at Givens Hot Springs, hiking at Jump Creek Canyon, or hunting, fishing, hiking, and photography in the Owyhee Mountains.
Melba is a small farming community of 513 people nestled in the Snake River Valley. It’s surrounded by agricultural lands growing a diverse variety of crops such as potatoes, beans, sugar beets, onions, corn, and grain. Melba is located just 20 minutes south of Nampa, Idaho’s second largest city, and is in close proximity to fishing streams, rivers and mountain lakes, camping, hiking, snow and water skiing, and other outdoor activities.
Nampa is the second largest city in Idaho with a population of about 90,000 people, and is home to the Teach For America Idaho office. It has a small-town feel but offers lots of entertainment including a farmers' market, concerts and rodeos, golf courses, and local restaurants. Located in the middle of Idaho’s wine country, Nampa is a short distance from skiing, rafting, hiking, hunting, and fishing.
Payette is a quiet, tight-knit community of about 7,500 residents. Local amenities include parks, golf courses, and the Harmon Killebrew Miracle Field, a custom-designed field named after a local native and Hall of Fame baseball player. The field gives kids and adults with special needs access to the sport. The nearby Snake River allows outdoor enthusiasts access to hiking, boating, fishing, and more.
Weiser is a small rural community of 5,500 located at the confluence of the Weiser and Snake Rivers. Dubbed the “Fiddling Capital of the World,” it is home to the annual National Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest. Weiser’s close proximity to Hells Canyon National Recreation Area makes it a gateway for wilderness and rafting tours, fishing, hiking, and camping.
Our Network
Established in 2015, the Idaho region is one of Teach For America’s youngest regions. Our inaugural 2015 corps was made up of 13 members placed within three communities. They joined a community of about 25 alumni who had completed the corps experience in other Teach For America regions and then moved to Idaho. Since then, our alumni network has expanded to over 60 local leaders who continue advocating for Idaho students from within and outside the classroom.
While we are extremely proud of the progress made during our first three years, a lot more must be done to solve inequity in Idaho’s public education system. Transformational change will require a powerful army made up of not only excellent teachers and school leaders, but also business leaders, policy makers, parents, philanthropists, community leaders, and more. To grow this army over the next three years, we plan to double the number of incoming teachers and implement new strategies to engage our alumni so they stay in Idaho and continue working towards change.
Local Leadership
Tony Ashton
Greater New Orleans '01
Executive Director
Teach For America Idaho
Tony Ashton has worked in education for over 14 years as a teacher, administrator, and policy specialist.
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