Tampa Bay
Our Work in Oklahoma
Where We Work
Corps members in Oklahoma teach in Oklahoma City and the Greater Tulsa metro area. Our alumni network impacts students across the state.
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City is known for its down-to-earth people, noteworthy sports teams, local artists, and famous barbecue. Few places in our country offer so much at such a low cost of living.
Greater Tulsa
Tulsa is a city on the rise—a tight-knit community with a collective goal to fuel change and a better future for all who call it home. Choosing to live in an up-and-coming city means access to amenities like great food and breweries while experiencing deep musical roots and museums. All of this is accessible without losing that comforting hometown feel.
Ignite Fellowship in Oklahoma
In the spring of 2022, TFA Oklahoma launched the Ignite Fellowship, which leverages research-based best practices for high-impact tutoring. This paid virtual fellowship brings exceptional leaders into classrooms to accelerate learning, build confidence, and foster belonging with students. Throughout Oklahoma, TFA hosts 156 Ignite fellows, and 100% of partner schools reported that Ignite had a positive impact on student engagement. The Ignite Fellowship builds on Teach For America’s 30-year history to grow our impact in local communities and help fuel student potential.
Teach For America Oklahoma Leadership
Stories from Our Community
Carlisha Williams Bradley: Obama Leadership Foundation - Black Wall Street Times
Carlisha Williams Bradley: Obama Leadership Foundation - Black Wall Street Times
Carlisha Williams Bradley, a 2011 Greater Tulsa alum, and Founder and Executive Director of Women Empowering Nations has been selected as one of 205 global leaders to join the prestigious Obama Foundation Leaders program. As one of only 100 participants in the Leaders USA cohort, Bradley will receive training in leadership development and civic engagement aimed at enhancing her impact across public, private, and nonprofit sectors.
Santa Fe South Spero Elementary Recognized by US News for Student Growth
Santa Fe South Spero Elementary Recognized by US News for Student Growth
Alumni are changing minds about what is possible for kids in Oklahoma. Alumna and school leader Meg Wheeler shared, “Our work is big enough that we can make an impact, and the community is small enough that we can be a proof point.” Meg’s school was recently recognized by Us News for outstanding student outcomes. More than twice as many students are proficient in math when compared to the Oklahoma average and exceeded the state average for reading proficiency.
Ashley Harris Philippsen: Harvard Fellow
Ashley Harris Philippsen: Harvard Fellow
Ashley Harris Philippsen, a 2007 Teach For America alum, and Executive Director of Impact Tulsa was selected to be part of the EdRedesign Fellowship for Cradle-to-Career Partnership Leaders at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. This inaugural, 18-month program supports leaders across the country in building cross-sector partnerships to address long-term disparities in education, health, and economic mobility. Ashley, along with 21 other fellows, will gain new tools and knowledge to drive systemic change for Tulsa’s children and families.
2025 Oklahoma Statewide Gathering
Our 2025 Teach For America Oklahoma Statewide Gathering brought together over 230 members of our network for a day of connection, learning, and action toward better outcomes for students. Participants dove deeper into key strategies around our 2030 goal and learned from one another about how we can each strengthen access to excellent schools, channel our boldest leadership, engage civically toward change, and build coalition around our shared goals.
Our 2025 Teach For America Oklahoma Statewide Gathering brought together over 230 members of our network for a day of connection, learning, and action toward better outcomes for students. Participants dove deeper into key strategies around our 2030 goal and learned from one another about how we can each strengthen access to excellent schools, channel our boldest leadership, engage civically toward change, and build coalition around our shared goals.
Our 2025 Teach For America Oklahoma Statewide Gathering brought together over 230 members of our network for a day of connection, learning, and action toward better outcomes for students. Participants dove deeper into key strategies around our 2030 goal and learned from one another about how we can each strengthen access to excellent schools, channel our boldest leadership, engage civically toward change, and build coalition around our shared goals.
Our 2025 Teach For America Oklahoma Statewide Gathering brought together over 230 members of our network for a day of connection, learning, and action toward better outcomes for students. Participants dove deeper into key strategies around our 2030 goal and learned from one another about how we can each strengthen access to excellent schools, channel our boldest leadership, engage civically toward change, and build coalition around our shared goals.
Support Our Work
Your generosity empowers us to build a force of corps members, alumni, and leaders across the state of Oklahoma, allowing work from all angles to inspire the movement for educational opportunity for all students.
What to Expect from Summer Training
What Is Teach For America Summer Training?
What Is Teach For America Summer Training?
All incoming corps members participate in our summer training (aka Pre-Service). During this time, the aim is to develop corps members as teachers who can provide high-quality instruction to students while growing into the lifetime commitment of advancing educational excellence. How do we do this? TFA focuses training on four domains—rigorous instruction, classroom learning environment, relationships, and learning. Throughout summer training, corps members will receive 1:1 coaching, group coaching, content development, and curriculum and planning supports, ensuring they are equipped and ready for the first day of school.
Teacher Corps Summer Training Schedule
This is the beginning of the summer training requirements.
- Late April - late May
What to Expect:
30 hours of online learning modules to complete at your own pace prior to Pre-Service training.
Where corps members begin to build pedagogical understanding and skills. During this training, corps members are expected to be fully present virtually.
Dates vary by region. No programming on Memorial Day or Juneteenth.
- Wave 1: May 20 - 29
- Wave 2: June 10 - 18
What to Expect:
Full-time commitment—7 full days of virtual programming that range from 8-9 hours per day, where you will interact in real time. There may be some additional learning modules that you can complete at your own pace.
After virtual, synchronous training, CMs will begin to transition to their region and engage in region-specific programming. This will include sessions to help build your regional context and prepare to teach at your practicum site.
What to Expect:
A full-time, live commitment with your regional team.
Corps members teach students at summer school in their region.
Dates vary by region. Takes place after each region’s Pre-Service training wave.
- 3 - 5 weeks
What to Expect:
This is a full-time commitment that takes place both in-person and through virtual sessions, where you will interact in real time.
Learn More
Explore how TFA will prepare you for your first year of teaching.
Explore Places to Grow
The regions below are especially compelling if you’re looking for meaningful leadership opportunities, close-knit communities, and a cost of living that makes starting out more manageable. If you’re open to exploring your options, these regions may align with your goals, values, and vision for your next chapter.
Alabama
“Through my time teaching, I developed deep bonds with fellow educators, families, and students that have given me a strong sense of community..." -Phillip, Alabama Corps
3 Reasons to Teach in Alabama
1. Rich in landscape, easy on the wallet
Living in Alabama affords the opportunity to explore the state’s hiking trails, rivers, beaches, and campsites when you have free time. This vibrant state is rich in culture and community, and it’s affordable.
It boasts one of the lowest average monthly rents of all our regions, with corps members paying about $400-$800 per month. Experience more financial freedom with a salary range comparable to some of our larger urban locations. First year teacher salaries range from $43,358 - $57,664 per year.
2. Advanced education options
There are many options for you to grow professionally in the education field. Depending on the grade level you teach you may need or want to get a Master’s degree. Additionally, Alabama makes certification a little easier by making it available to you both in-person and online. Whichever path you choose, you can use your AmeriCorps award to help cover the costs.
3. Extra help
To incentivize more teachers to come to Alabama, corps members will receive an Alabama background check, up to 2 Praxis test attempts, and one study book—all free of charge.
What Alabama Corps Members Say About Living Here
Delta
“The Greater Delta appealed to me, and the need for educators in rural communities is urgent in many places. I felt that my work made a tangible difference in the lives of my students and community...” -Joe, Delta Corps
3 Reasons to Teach in the Delta
1. A place to pour your heart into
There is no place like the Delta. We like to say “here, if you know someone, you know everyone” and it’s true. This community is vibrant, connected, historic, and tight-knit. If you grew up here, you know. If you’re new to town, you won’t be for long. This is a place to build a life and a chosen family forever.
2. A historic art and music scene
This is the birthplace of blues. If you love art and music, you’ll find no shortage of it here. Take a weekend visit with your fellow corps members to the Mississippi Museum of Art, or take in an exhibit or independent film with the Delta Arts Alliance. Jam out at the Juke Joint Festival and many other musical events, not to mention the B.B. King Museum.
3. Spend less. Save more.
The Delta has the third lowest average rent of any of Teach For America’s regions, and an overall low cost of living on essentials like groceries and gas. You can optimize your opportunities to save by choosing where within the region you’d like to live—corps members teach in both rural and small urban school districts from Little Rock to Lake Village and Holly Springs to Jackson—and average rents can be as low as $475 per month.
Certification costs for Delta corps members are also less than $500 total, so you can put the rest of your AmeriCorps award to paying down student loans or advancing your education.
What Delta Corps Members Say About Living Here
Miami-Dade
“Miami is an international, cultural hub. What I love most about Miami is that there is always something to do. There is truly something for everyone...” -Matthew, Miami-Dade Corps
3 Reasons to Teach in Miami-Dade
1. Financial flexibility and support
Certification in our Miami-Dade region costs under $500. That means Miami-Dade corps members can put almost all of their AmeriCorps award (nearly $14K over two years) to paying off student loans or pursuing an advanced degree!
Florida also has no state income tax, which puts more of your paycheck into your pocket. And Miami-Dade's average first year teacher salary is greater than 3/4 of other Teach For America regions. Miami-Dade is also pleased to offer corps members support in their housing hunt, helping ensure you get a great place, location, and price that fits your budget.
2. A vibrant community and network
Living here, you'll find many different cultures and backgrounds within the corps and in your community. Our region has the largest alumni network of any other area in Florida, giving you access to connections and collaborations.
3. Advanced education
Miami-Dade partners with the University of Miami to offer corps members the option of earning a graduate degree in education and social change by the time they finish their corps commitment. Corps members who choose this option can use their AmeriCorps award toward tuition and start the program in the spring of their first year. By the summer of their second year, they're graduating with a Master's in hand.
What Miami-Dade Corps Members Say About Living Here
Ohio
“There is an overall sense of dedication to community that pervades the whole area. It is by and large the kindest community I've lived in..." -Annelise, Ohio Corps
3 Reasons to Teach in Ohio
1. More money to grow
Our Ohio region offers corps members one of the lowest certification costs in the country, totaling just $80. This means more money to grow professionally and financially. You will be able to put your entire AmeriCorps award toward paying off student loans or advancing your education at the University of Cincinnati. Thanks to TFA’s partnership with the university’s Teacher College, you will get 25 percent off tuition.
2. Countless options to live
Teach For America Ohio has five different communities to choose from, and you get to decide what works best for you: Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, Cleveland, and Covington, KY. The state offers both an urban or rural vibe, with access to the Great Lakes, sports teams, and countless breweries.
3. A statewide community
Because our region covers so many communities in the state, we also have a large alumni base. Corps members join more than 1,100 alumni living here who can be a support system during your time in the classroom and help you explore future career opportunities. Beyond the TFAmily, you’re part of a larger network of business, community, sports leaders, families, and students who are invested in Ohio and its future.
What Ohio Corps Members Say About Living Here
Oklahoma
“You can actually move the needle in a way that’s very unique. People are very accessible in a way that allows you to get the changemakers to the table...” -Onikah, Greater Tulsa Corps
3 Reasons to Teach in Oklahoma
1. Financial savings
The cost of living in Oklahoma is 43 percent below the national average, making it a very affordable place to call home. And because Teach For America is a certifying agent in the state, the costs to become a certified teacher are very low. Teaching here means being able to put the majority of your nearly $14,000 in AmeriCorps awards (awarded over two years) towards student loans or advancing your education. Plus, corps members in Oklahoma get a $1,500 first-day-of-school bonus, thanks to our community partners.
2. An invested network
Greater Tulsa corps members have an immediate and much-needed impact in the classroom. Thirteen of our corps members and alumni were selected as the Teacher of the Year on their campuses last year, and three of the past seven TPS district-wide Teachers of the Year were TFA alumni.
TFA Greater Tulsa is positioned to support our teachers with one of the lowest corps member to teacher coach ratios (15:1). In addition to one-on-one coaching, corps members are a part of a community of learners engaging in ongoing professional development lead by staff, alumni, and community members to support each other to be effective in the classroom.
3. Cities on the rise
Choose to live in one of these two rising cities: Oklahoma City or Greater Tulsa. Living in an up-and-coming city means access to amenities with a hometown feel. Our friends at Tulsa Remote describe the city as a “Tight-knit community meets a population large enough to support world-class music and theater, sports venues, and one of the most impressive park systems in the country."
What Oklahoma Corps Members Say About Living Here
San Antonio
“The iconic River Walk, thriving culinary scene, and year-round festivals offer an unparalleled blend of tradition and contemporary allure...” - Veronica, San Antonio Corps
3 Reasons to Teach in San Antonio
1. Teachers are paid well
First-year teachers in San Antonio earn one of the highest starting salaries of all Teach For America locations, coming in at $54,000 per year. Even though the salary is higher than most places, the cost of living is also very affordable, with rent ranging from $1,000 to $1,250 per month. With so much good local food (like breakfast tacos), you’ll want that extra spending money in your pocket.
2. Dive into the city culture
San Antonio is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. It has a true community feel with the trappings of a culturally vibrant city and small-town feel. It’s a city that loves to celebrate year-round with festivals like Dios De Los Muertos and Fiesta. With its rich Mexican heritage, corps members and alumni talk about the dining experiences that will keep you coming back for more.
3. Find connection
The network is comprised of people from all different backgrounds and places. The city is home to over 400 TFA alums who remain in the classroom, serve on school boards, manage local nonprofits, and lead schools as principals and administrators. Because of this, the local community is well connected, making it easier to move the needle for kids. This is a city that welcomes leaders like you, and you will easily find exactly where you fit.
What San Antonio Corps Members Say About Living Here
South Carolina
“I love being a South Carolina Corps Member because our corps is small and intimate. We all know each other. We celebrate everything—birthdays, friends-giving, Pollyanna, Galantine’s Day, and the Super Bowl...” -Brandi, South Carolina Corps
3 Reasons to Teach in South Carolina
1. A friend down the hall
One hundred percent of South Carolina corps members are clustered together. That means that wherever you teach, there will be other people from your corps cohort and our alumni network in your building. While you’ll build relationships with all the educators and faculty in your school, having that foundation of folks you’ve gone through summer training with will start you off with a sense of belonging from day one.
2. The pace of life that you like
In South Carolina, you get to choose between the Low Country, Midlands, or Pee Dee River Valley as the place you’d like to teach. Whether you want nearby access to top restaurants and museums, an easy stroll down the beach, or the comforting feel of a rural small town, the choice and the pace of life are up to you.
3. And a cost of living that works
With such a wide variety of placement communities, you can also make financial choices that make sense for you. Overall, our region’s cost of living is below the national average, and you’ll find even more flexibility within each of our different communities. Explore living near your placement school or in a more urban area—there are many options to choose from.
Even better, certification costs only $400 in South Carolina. That means almost the entirety of your AmeriCorps award can go towards paying down your student loans or advancing your education.
What South Carolina Corps Members Say About Living Here
Rural School Leadership Academy
About the Rural School Leadership Academy
The Rural School Leadership Academy (RSLA) is a yearlong, fully funded career development accelerator designed to support rural educators as they grow into expanded leadership roles across schools and systems. Whether you’re a teacher exploring leadership for the first time or a principal aiming to deepen your community-rooted impact, RSLA equips you with role-specific tools, peer networks, and the confidence to lead in place.
Through a mix of virtual learning, in-person gatherings, immersive rural school visits, and personalized coaching, RSLA helps you strengthen your leadership, elevate your career, and build lasting momentum for students and schools in your community.
Who Should Apply
RSLA is open to all educators working in rural PK–12 school settings for the 2025–26 school year. You do not need to be a Teach For America alum.
We welcome:
- Track 1 – Aspiring Leaders: Teachers seeking to grow into adult-facing leadership roles within the next 1–3 years.
- Track 2 – Emerging Leaders: Educators in roles such as APs, Deans, or Coaches actively preparing for principalship.
- Track 3 – Current Principals: School leaders or superintendents looking to sustain and expand their leadership in place.
We welcome school-based teams to apply together. Each individual must submit a separate application.
Program Features
RSLA is more than a program—it’s a launchpad into sustained, community-centered leadership. Learn more about what the program offers.
Engage in dynamic, practice-based sessions rooted in five core leadership pillars. These virtual learning opportunities are designed to help you build skills, reflect deeply, and apply what you learn in real time—within the unique context of your rural school community.
Travel to rural communities across the country to visit innovative schools and connect with local educators. These immersive, in-person gatherings bring RSLA’s values to life—honoring place, learning from peers, and translating insight into action back home.
In your first year after the fellowship, you’ll have the opportunity to pursue university-level certifications through partner institutions. Optional pathways include Harvard Graduate School of Education’s certificates in Instructional Leadership or School Management and Leadership, offering a continued runway for professional growth.
RSLA offers three differentiated tracks to match your current leadership journey: Track 1 for aspiring leaders, Track 2 for those pursuing principalship, and Track 3 for current principals deepening their impact. You’ll learn alongside peers with similar goals while connecting across the broader cohort.
Throughout the fellowship, you’ll engage in cross-region collaboration—co-developing solutions, sharing tools, and reflecting on common leadership challenges. These connections extend beyond the program year, building a national network of rural leaders.
Your leadership matters—we invest in it. All program expenses—including travel, lodging, meals, and materials—are fully funded. We remove financial barriers so that you can focus on what matters most: deepening your leadership and creating lasting impact in your community.
Eligibility Requirements
Participants must:
- Be working in a rural K–12 school during the 2025–26 school year
- Commit to full participation in all learning cycles in person + virtually.
- Have a minimum of three years of experience in a school-based role.
Alumni Impact
Since its inception, RSLA has supported nearly 400 rural leaders from across the country.
Leadership Advancement
57%
Step into more advanced roles within one year
Leader Retention
85%
Remain in rural schools two years after completing the program
Enduring Network
75%
Stay connected through continued leadership, mentorship, or advocacy
Since its inception, RSLA has supported nearly 400 rural leaders from across the country.
Leadership Advancement
57%
Step into more advanced roles within one year
Leader Retention
85%
Remain in rural schools two years after completing the program
Enduring Network
75%
Stay connected through continued leadership, mentorship, or advocacy
Apply Now!
Please click the link below to apply or nominate a colleague. Contact Casey.DeFord@teachforamerica.org if you have any questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Please contact Casey.DeFord@teachforamerica.org if you have any questions that are not answered below.
Rural schools are typically located in communities with small populations and geographic isolation. RSLA fellows come from a wide range of rural and Native-serving contexts across the country. If you’re unsure whether your school qualifies, email us at casey.deford@teachforamerica.org—we’re happy to talk it through.
Each virtual learning cycle includes 3–5 highly interactive sessions. These are designed to build practical leadership skills aligned to RSLA’s five impact indicators:
- Reach and Representation
- Leadership Growth
- Role Advancement
- Rural Retention
- Long-Term Engagement
Sessions focus on areas like school culture, decision-making, communication, and vision development—all rooted in honoring place and rural context.
We will work with all participants to ensure that we are offering sessions that best align with their availability.
As part of the yearlong fellowship, all participants join an in-person visit to a rural community. These multi-day visits provide the opportunity to:
- Learn directly from local educators
- Observe innovative rural schools in action
- Build deeper relationships with your cohort
Participants consistently describe this experience as one of the most transformative parts of the program.
Yes. Participation includes required travel to two in-person school visits.
Teach For America covers all travel-related costs, including:
- Airfare
- Ground transportation
- Lodging
- Meals
You’ll receive travel logistics and booking support six weeks in advance of each in-person gathering.
Yes. Referrals are one of the most powerful ways we find strong candidates. You can nominate yourself or others by following this link.
You’re welcome to nominate multiple people. Referrals are kept confidential unless you tell us otherwise.
Yes. RSLA welcomes teams and pairs from the same school or network, and we’ve seen that shared participation strengthens how learning shows up back on campus.
Strong teams often include:
- A principal and an assistant principal
- Two or more teachers from the same school
- Leaders from the same rural district
While you’re encouraged to apply as a team, admissions are competitive and acceptance is not guaranteed for all applicants.
Yes. RSLA is designed as a cumulative experience—sessions build on each other and on the relationships you form with your cohort. We expect full participation in each learning cycle. If an emergency arises, we work with fellows individually to find solutions.
What our participants are saying about RSLA
“RSLA has been an amazing way to continue my growth as a developing school leader. After completing my master's program last year, I was striving to find more ways that I could continue my leadership development. RSLA has done that and more. The focus on rurality and strengthening core leadership competencies have significantly impacted my trajectory towards becoming an effective school leader. RSLA has been one of the most meaningful professional development opportunities I have ever participated in.”
“By allowing me to see beyond my community, RSLA has allowed me to become more rooted in my own rural context. I see myself as more of a leader and change maker than I did prior to RSLA.”
“I wish all my Professional Developments were like this. I built great relationships with my cohort through the experience.”
“I've learned strategies that I will be implementing on the daily basis.”
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Where We Work
Where We Work
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Available Programs in State/Region
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