​All of our training and support is towards the goal of developing teacher leaders who realize ambitious outcomes for students. This work is grounded in a CM roadmap of development with the following domains: rigorous instruction, strong classroom environments, learning, and relationships.

The application and training process for certified teachers is the same for non-certified applicants. If you’re admitted to the corps and are already certified to teach the subject in the state where you’re assigned, you won’t need to retake any certification exams that you’ve already passed. However, you’ll most likely need to submit a copy of your score reports.

Teach For America does not pay for your certification or master's degree, however, there are different benefits available to corps members to help pay for the coursework that you must take in order to teach in your region.

Many regions have relationships with local universities that offer reduced tuition for corps members. In some regions, you can qualify for tuition exemption based on the fact that you’re a teacher. In some regions, you must pay for classes up front.

Several of our regions have established partnerships with universities to facilitate your work toward a master’s degree during your two-year commitment. These programs vary from site to site and year to year. Some may be offered at reduced cost.

Please keep in mind that because of these programs change frequently, we encourage you to avoid preferencing regions solely based on these partnerships. We ask that you remain flexible as to where you are willing to teach so that we can best meet the needs of students.

Teacher certification costs widely varies across regions, so we recommend that you compare regions to get a better understanding of what expenses to expect.

Because corps members are paid directly by the schools and districts for whom they work their benefits are determined by the school and can vary. In general, corps members can expect to receive medical, dental, and vision benefits, as well as life insurance options and retirement benefits.

No. Corps members are employed directly by the schools and districts in which they are hired.

Falsification or misrepresentation of any sort, including plagiarism, on the application or supporting materials is grounds for non-admission or dismissal.

In order to respect the integrity of the application process, Teach For America will generally not consider information about applicants that comes outside of the application process. However, we do reserve the right to investigate further any information brought to our attention that raises a reasonable concern.

Teach For America reserves the right to rescind admissions decisions or dismiss corps members for any reason. Such reasons may include, but are not limited to:

• Non-responsiveness
• Breaches in integrity such as falsification or misrepresentation or sharing confidential information about Teach For America, other applicants, corps members, etc.
• Significant material change (e.g., being terminated from employment due to performance, significant change in academic standing, etc.)
• Any evidence that raises reasonable concerns