How to Choose Your Location
There will be two opportunities to select where you’d like to teach—within your application and after you complete your interview.
On your application, you will be asked to select one Teach For America region as your preferred choice. It’s optional to include one or two additional choices if there is more than one region that you’d say “yes” to. Here are your options for choosing a location:
- Select only one region: There's only one location you'd say “yes” to.
- Select up to three regions: You are open to teaching in multiple locations and would be excited to accept an offer from any of the locations you’ve selected.
- Select that you are flexible: You are willing to teach in a region with the greatest need.
- Select “I don’t know yet.” If you are unsure where you’d like to live and teach, you can take time to research your options and decide after your interview.
Applicants invited to interview will have the opportunity to finalize their regional selection after the interview window closes. This means:
- If you haven’t selected a region, you will do so at this point.
- If you did select a region, you have the flexibility to make additional changes to your selections.
- You might be asked to rank specific locations within a region to determine exactly where you will teach because some regions have multiple placement communities (for example, the Colorado region has three placement community options: Colorado Springs, Denver, and Pueblo).
Spotlight On...
These regions have vibrant communities, rich culture, and kids with loads of potential. Check out a few regions where the need for leaders like you is especially high, and so is your opportunity for making a lasting change.
Resources to Find the Best Location for You
Where you teach might be the place where you grew up or somewhere completely new. Either way, here are resources to help you weigh your options:
- Use our Explore Map to view information on our 40+ locations, cost of living, salary range, minimum GPA, and summer training start date side-by-side.
- Skim through the pros for each Teach For America location in our Regional Flipbook
- Read our guide for navigating the most common myths about where you will teach as a Teach For America corps member.
- Schedule time to talk one-on-one with a recruiter and get answers to your questions about where to teach.
- Talk to a corps member to learn more about their experience in the regions you're interested in.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Location
To make the best choice for your TFA experience, consider the following:
Your regional selections have no bearing on your admissions decision. However, applying early gives you a better chance of securing a slot in your preferred region, as regions are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Beyond logistics, consider where your skills and passions can have the greatest impact. Research the specific needs and challenges of various regions to find a community that aligns with your personal and professional goals.
You may be interested in teaching a specific subject or grade. Once accepted into the TFA corps, your assigned grade and subject area are determined based on your preferences, the needs of the region, and hiring requirements such as undergraduate coursework. Your subject assignment is tentative when you get your offer and may change once you’re in your region, meaning you should be prepared for flexibility in your role.
Certification requirements differ by state, which may influence your regional and subject placement. Some regions may require additional coursework or testing and certification costs. Understanding these requirements early will help you plan and ensure you meet all necessary qualifications for your desired region.
The cost of living varies by region. You can evaluate the affordability of living in your selected region using the explore regions tool.
You should also consider the cost of relocating to your selected region. TFA offers transitional funding to support corps members before they receive their first paycheck, but it’s important to explore the costs that come with relocating to a new community.
To determine your eligibility for specific locations, you'll need to complete a Course Information Form, detailing your undergraduate coursework. Based on this, some placement communities may become unavailable if your coursework or GPA doesn't meet their requirements.
You should also ensure your graduation timeline aligns with regional requirements for when you need to be available.
Getting Your Offer
When and How Your Region and Subject Assignment Are Communicated
Typically, two weeks after your Teach For America interview, you will hear from TFA about your admissions decision. If admitted to the corps, you will receive a confirmation email of your acceptance and the details of your offer, which will include:
- Regional Placement: The community where you will teach.
- Subject Assignment: What you’ll be teaching. Remember to remain flexible as this might slightly change before the first day of school.
- School Placement Process: How we will help with finding you the perfect job in a Teach For America partner school.
- Compensation Range and Financials: Salary expectations for your region and additional financial supports for your transition.
Getting Started with Your Region
From here, you will start working with your region more closely, receiving a regional offer guide and having the opportunity to attend a virtual call with your assigned region.
You will have 10 days to consider and accept your offer.
Learn more about accepting your Teach For America offer.
Find the Right Location for You
Thinking seriously about applying, but don’t know where you want to teach?
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