Most fellows will tutor with only one placement, however there is sometimes an option to sign up for more than one tutoring placement. If this option is available to you, we will share the details during the sign up window just prior to the start of the Fellowship.

You will use an online platform designed specifically for virtual tutoring to connect with students online. You will receive onboarding, training, and ongoing support to use the virtual tutoring platform as an Ignite fellow. You will need a computer with a working speaker, microphone, and camera, as well as a strong and secure internet connection.

TFA Ignite is virtual and will take place with schools across Teach For America communities in the 2025-26 school year. TFA Ignite is currently partnering with schools and students in these communities across the U.S.

There are no opportunities to engage with kids in person. However, there are opportunities to engage with other fellows in person depending on your college campus.

You will have the opportunity to meet other fellows in the program through the virtual live orientations that take place prior to the Fellowship. While there may be other fellows working with your same school, how you interact with them will depend on the school set up. Our Ignite Team encourages fellows at the same university to connect and build community. 

After you apply you will be notified if you have been accepted and will have the opportunity to sign up for a tutoring placement. A few weeks before the start of the Fellowship, you will be able to review an online sign up tool that gives an overview of available days, times, grades, subjects, and school communities. You are then able to sign up for a tutoring placement that best fits your schedule.

Fellows will work with between 2 and 3 students at a time, depending on the needs of the school.

The fall Fellowship runs from Sept. 8 - Dec. 12, 2025.

The spring Fellowship runs from Jan. 20 - May 1, 2026.

The first two weeks of these Fellowship dates are dedicated to fellow training, including online orientation meetings and self-paced virtual modules. Ignite fellows begin working with students in the third week of the Fellowship.

The commitment with students is entirely virtual and during K-12 school hours. Given our program is hyper-local, school schedules vary based on need and time zone.

Typically, fellows can expect to work virtually with students directly for about 2 hours a week, and complete any collaboration, prep, or independent work for about 2 hours a week. 

Both days and times with students are pre-set and cannot be adjusted. However, you will have the opportunity to choose the student learning group that works best for your schedule.

Some example schedules:

Ignite fellows are not employees of TFA but do receive a financial award for their service, ranging from $800 - $1,200 in the fall and $1,000 - $1,400 in the spring. Award amount is based on the tutoring start date you choose, your attendance, and renewing for a second semester. Fellows will receive your financial award via direct deposit as a lump sum, pre-tax after completing your Fellowship commitment (Dec/Jan for fall fellows, May for spring fellows).

Teach For America Ignite and the TFA corps are two distinct opportunities that support students and grow future leaders under the Teach For America brand and with a shared mission of expanding opportunity for all students.