Las Vegas
About Us
When people think of Las Vegas, they usually think of bright lights, a blazing sun, or slot machines. But there’s another face of the city, one very different from most stories about Sin City.
There is great opportunity, but also great need. Today, more than half of students in Las Vegas and the surrounding area attend Title I schools and qualify for free and reduced-price lunch—a proxy for poverty—that we know can be hard on students, families, and under-resourced schools. Nevada has the lowest percentage of children enrolled in early childhood programs in the country, and for the past few years has had the lowest or second-lowest high school graduation rate for African American, Latinx, Special Education, and English Language Learner students in the nation. These factors have posed a serious threat to our state’s future.
Alongside many parents, educators, business, and community leaders, we are working to strengthen the education system as we know that education is the key to greater opportunities in college and beyond. Join these trailblazers in this pivotal moment for Las Vegas as we partner with those already engaged in challenging educational inequity and work towards a better future for all kids.
There are
81
corps members teaching in the 2022-23 school year.
And more than
50
partner schools we work with in Las Vegas.
And over
660
alumni living and working in our region.
There are
81
corps members teaching in the 2022-23 school year.
And more than
50
partner schools we work with in Las Vegas.
And over
660
alumni living and working in our region.
“I feel a strong sense of pride knowing I can validate my students' different identities. Being a culturally responsive teacher is so important to the holistic development of our youth.”
Living Here
Corps members have the freedom to live anywhere in the Las Vegas Valley. Many choose to live near their school sites in North Las Vegas, east Las Vegas, or downtown Las Vegas, while other choose to commute from Henderson and Summerlin.
Las Vegas is more than it seems, and while the world-famous Strip offers plenty of exciting things to do, you’ll also have the opportunity to get to know the close-knit and growing community. You can join corps members, alumni, and school and business leaders at community dinners where people often build lasting friendships, or take part in live and virtual education town halls where challenging topics are discussed and resolved. Living in Las Vegas truly means having the best of both worlds—the amenities of a world-class city and the comforts and camaraderie of a small town.
Las Vegas is part of the beautiful Mojave Desert, which offers stunning landscapes and views. Spend time hiking mountains, including Red Rock Canyon and Mount Charleston, or horseback riding, snowboarding, and mountain biking. At the same time, Las Vegas remains a destination for people from around the world because of the fantastic restaurants, live shows, and entertainment.
Getting Certified to Teach
TFA Nevada has a mandatory certification pathway with University of Nevada Las Vegas (1-1.5 years) and the option to pursue a Masters degree.
Total certification costs $12,000. Up-front certification costs include:
- Degree-conferred transcript (2 copies): $0 - $75
- UNLV Application Fee: $60
- Background Check: $60
- License Application Fee: $180
Eligible subject areas:
- Elementary
- Early childhood education
- Special education
Total Tuition: approximately $6,000
Out-of-pocket costs with AmeriCorps Award: $0
*Tuition must be paid up front, but corps members can apply AmeriCorps funding to qualified loans once it's received following each year of successful completion in the corps.
Eligible subject areas:
- Secondary math, science and English language arts
- Elementary
- Early childhood education
- Special education
Total Tuition: approximately $12,000
Out-of-pocket costs with AmeriCorps Award: $0
*Tuition must be paid up front, but corps members can apply AmeriCorps funding to qualified loans once it's received following each year of successful completion in the corps.
Many corps members use their AmeriCorps Education Award to help offset out-of-pocket costs for certification. For 2023, this award was $6,895. Additional grants through our university and state exist to potentially cover the full cost of certification.
Local Leadership
Sean Parker
Bay Area '09
Executive Director
Teach For America Las Vegas & Reno
Sean Parker has served as Teach For America Las Vegas’ Executive Director since 2015. He lives and works in Downtown Las Vegas. His life’s work is to improve Las Vegas' education system to serve as an example of educational excellence for our country. Sean believes that a quality education unlocks doors of opportunity for individuals and for the economic wellbeing of our state.
Connect on Social Media
Support Our Work
Thank you for reimagining learning, expanding opportunities, and inspiring systemic change. Our kids are counting on us.