Tutor with Ignite

Spark student learning with our virtual, paid, part-time tutoring and mentorship fellowship. The application opens January 16 for the Fall 2025 cohort.
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The Basics Reasons to Apply Hear from Fellows Is This for You? Our Impact

The Basics

Ignite fellows lead small group virtual learning with the support of a veteran educator. Ignite fellows:

  • Work 3-5 hours per week for a term (14 weeks):
    • Weeks 1 + 2: Build your skills through onboarding
    • Weeks 3-14: Partner directly with a small group of students
  • Build relationships and foster belonging 
  • Accelerate learning in in elementary reading, middle school math, and high school post-secondary access
  • Tutor virtually, connecting over Zoom, Teams, or similar tools

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6 Reasons to Apply to Ignite

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Help students succeed

95% of schools report that fellows helped students grow academically.

Help students succeed

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95% of schools report that fellows helped students grow academically.
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Foster students' belonging

Build relationships to help students feel connected, healthy, and able to bring their full selves to learning.

Foster students' belonging

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Build relationships to help students feel connected, healthy, and able to bring their full selves to learning.

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Become a better leader

Your ongoing training and hands-on tutoring experience will give you skills that are transferable into any professional setting.

Become a better leader

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Your ongoing training and hands-on tutoring experience will give you skills that are transferable into any professional setting.

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Challenge the system

96% of fellows say that they gain new insights about the state of education and their role in working towards educational equity.

Challenge the system

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96% of fellows say that they gain new insights about the state of education and their role in working towards educational equity.

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Find connection

Connect with students, teachers, and others in the TFA network. Fellows say they feel part of a supportive and inclusive Ignite community.

Find connection

Illustration of three stick figures with happy lines above their heads

Connect with students, teachers, and others in the TFA network. Fellows say they feel part of a supportive and inclusive Ignite community.

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Earn a financial award

Earn an award of up to $1,200 at the end of each semester. It’s a part-time job with a greater purpose.

Earn a financial award

Illustration of a spark or star

Earn an award of up to $1,200 at the end of each semester. It’s a part-time job with a greater purpose.

What Fellows Are Saying About Ignite

As a future teacher, this program enabled me to develop teaching skills, understand the education landscape, and get excited about being in the classroom.

Ignite fellow

I felt like I was really helping my student and making an impact on her education and her understanding, which was really meaningful to me. I just loved the experience.

Ignite fellow

It was a rewarding experience to see that in real time I can make a difference with my students. It's really exciting to see when they understand something and they get excited.

Ignite fellow

I valued the opportunity to connect with students through my teaching experience. I learned how to adjust teaching, what works and what doesn't, and how I can get them excited to learn.

Ignite fellow

I love that Ignite gives students a chance to create safe and trusting relationships. The small group size ensures that children are given individualized attention and the fellow is able to recognize and cater to students’ specific needs and interests.

Ignite fellow

I valued getting to meet with the same students every session and getting to be involved in their classroom goals and agendas. It feels like the Ignite fellows become a part of the students’ classroom experience.

Ignite fellow

I'm most proud of being able to help a teacher accommodate some of her students and alleviating some of their pressure.

Ignite fellow

Is This For You?

Is This For You?

Ignite fellows are a diverse network of leaders who bring their unique experiences and perspectives to partnering with students. In our last cohort, more than 40% identified as coming from a low-income background and/or were the first in their family to attend college.

Fellows come from all academic majors and are supported by veteran teachers and TFA. You’ll receive dedicated training on how to be an effective tutor from Teach For America, as well as support tailored to your specific tutoring placement from your school-based veteran educator.

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At a minimum, fellows must: 

  • Be current undergrads, grad students, TFA alums, or renewing fellows. 
  • Have at least a 2.5 undergraduate GPA (or 3.0 high school for college freshman)
  • Be available to work up to 5 hours per week during K-12 school hours
  • Be authorized to work in the U.S. and at least 18 years old

Qualities we look for are:

  • Deep belief in kids and families facing systemic racism and/or poverty 
  • Bold vision setting and the ability to create meaningful change
  • Collaborates effectively with people from different backgrounds and perspectives
  • Desire to learn from people, experiences, and self-reflection

Prepare for Impact

All kids deserve individualized learning to meet their unique needs. Ignite fellows provide personalized learning that helps students increase their achievement and fosters greater belonging in the classroom. Research shows that tutoring is one of the most effective ways to improve educational achievement. This past school year, over 2,200 Ignite fellows partnered with 4,800 students across 28 communities.

Among our partner schools

98%

reported that students grew in academic learning and engagement.

Among our students

96%

 reported that their fellows taught them in the way they learned best.

And among our students

92%

reported they felt like they mattered in Ignite.

It really made me start believing that I could be taught in my own way and still be smart.

Student

I enjoyed that my Ignite fellow takes her time in trying to get us to understand. I got a good grade in math because of it.

Student

Ignite to me is about my students being exposed to college students and seeing themselves in their shoes.

Teacher

I really appreciated the quality of people selected to be fellows. I was very impressed by their background, passion, and dedication.

Teacher

See the Program in Action

Become a fellow

Support student learning with our virtual, paid, part-time tutoring Fellowship.
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