Ignite focuses on a sense of belonging, as the science of learning and development shows that students need to feel connected with educators in order to grow academically. To foster connection and belonging, Ignite fellows build meaningful relationships with a consistent group of students while accelerating literacy or math learning or expanding post-secondary access.

Ignite operates across all U.S. time zones. During the sign-up process, we ask that you pay close attention to the time zone listed and convert to your local time if needed. It is important to know how your time zone aligns with other time zones when going through the sign-up process.

This depends on your university internship policies. Figuring out what is needed for internship credit is up to you and the program you are in. We are happy to help support with documentation if needed.

Research on high-impact tutoring shows that tutor consistency is critical to students feeling safe and growing academically. In addition to impeding student impact, fellow absences cause logistical complications and require additional work forIgnite Site Leaders, other fellows, and staff at your assigned school. For these reasons, we take attendance very seriously and ask that you commit to a goal of 100% attendance during the Fellowship. 

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.