When we ask corps members why they want to be a teacher, the most common answer is the desire to make an impact. What does that look and feel like?

As a teacher every day you will use your talents and prior experiences to help your students thrive. With any job there are challenges you will have to face. You will have a front row seat to the inequities woven into our educational system. Yet the place where inequity is plainly visible is also where possibility and hope exists. You will advocate for your students' needs while paving pathways for their future, receiving returns beyond measure.

A career in teaching is one where the relationships that you create with your students and fellow teachers will motivate you, give you purpose, and likely change you. You will laugh with them, grow with them, and take every success and failure as a lesson. All of this will leave you wondering why you didn’t pursue teaching sooner.

Read About Our Impact

We’re committed to reducing barriers for exceptionally talented leaders to enter education. Added financial burden and debt should not be the reason that you are unable to work in the classroom. We help lessen the burden.

Baseline Stipend

Teach For America provides every incoming corps member with a baseline stipend of $3,000–$6,500 (amount varies by region). This bridges the gap in their transition to the classroom for upfront living costs incurred through summer training, all before they receive their first paycheck. The stipend is automatically disbursed before summer training begins—no application required.

Need-Based Aid

Incoming corps members with additional financial need for their transition to the corps may apply for interest free loans and additional grants to supplement their baseline stipends. 

Learn About TFA Salary And Benefits

Wondering what qualifications you need to become a teacher? Many of our corps members are considered “non-traditional” teachers since they haven’t completed a traditional course of study in education before starting in the classroom. 

Get Your Initial License

This is what you need to teach on day one. To receive your initial license, you’ll be required to pass your grade level and subject exam (this may vary by region). You are not required to complete your licensing exams prior to applying to TFA. If accepted, TFA staff will guide you through this process offering you support along the way.

Get Your Full Certification

While you can start teaching with your initial license in the fall, most states require you to be working toward your full certification. During your first year of teaching, TFA will support you in enrolling in a certification program at a university, partner organization, or with TFA. Most certification programs are completed within two years and do vary by region.

Learn About Getting Qualified

The online application form asks about your background and leadership experience. Plan to upload your resume and write two short response reflections about a meaningful accomplishment and your interest in joining TFA as a corps member. Your responses help us gain a deeper understanding of your skills, strengths, and experiences. Learn more about the application and interview process.

You’ll also tell us where and what you’ll teach. When applying, you may already have a place in mind where you’d like to teach and a favorite subject or grade level. Use the Explore Your Region Tool to see if TFA is in your community or somewhere new that interests you. During your application, you can select the region you want to apply to most, with the option to select one or two alternate regions you’re excited about. Learn what’s true and what’s false about how you get matched to a region.

The interview occurs virtually and consists of a sample lesson, case activity, and a one-on-one interview.

After your interview, you’ll finalize your regional selection(s) to determine where you will teach. You will also preference the subjects you qualify to teach.

You’ll learn if you are accepted and receive your placement and subject notification through email and the applicant center. You have approximately 10 days after the offer to confirm that you’ll join us.