Massachusetts

Massachusetts is a national leader in public education—but beyond the accolades lie deep, persistent disparities. We’re working with communities statewide to change this.

Apply to Teach in Massachusetts

Teach For America Massachusetts School Welcome Mural

On This Page

About Us Our Corps Members Where We Work Our Alumni Connect on Social Media Support Us

About Us

Massachusetts is widely known for its place in U.S. history, its reputation as the ultimate “college town,” and for being home to some of the very best education our nation has to offer. Yet despite these assets, the Bay State is fraught with disparities—home to some of the largest educational attainment gaps in the country, as well as some of the very largest gaps in earnings and wealth.

However, many here believe that if access to an excellent education for every child is going to happen anywhere, it will happen in Massachusetts. Our state enjoys a unique combination of resources—a rich tradition of prioritizing public education, a strong pipeline of talent, numerous colleges and universities, a forward-thinking state Department of Education, a rich nonprofit sector, and a generous philanthropic community. Massachusetts also is home to innovative and promising approaches to lasting improvements within traditional districts, such as school and district turnaround and transformation efforts, alongside arguably the strongest charter public school sector in the US.

We no longer question if it can be done. In Massachusetts, the question is: How can we accelerate the student success that we know is possible?

Central to our efforts is the belief that no social movement, in the past or today, can be successful unless communities are themselves at the forefront leading the work. Our state attracts great talent from around the country and around the world—and also has tremendous assets in the brilliant, inspiring, and dynamic students we are fortunate to work with. Our hope is that our students and families will be the teachers, principals, advocates, and policy makers that continue this work into the future.

There is much work to be done in Massachusetts—but there is also incredible potential.

What role will you play?

More than

2500

alumni in our region.

More than

190

corps members.

More than

120

school and school system leaders.

Our Corps Members

The Massachusetts region provides an unparalleled context for working to expand educational opportunity. Here, you will experience an unrivaled opportunity to make lasting change.

Massachusetts corps members teach in traditional and charter public schools in the Greater Boston communities of Boston, Lawrence, Chelsea, in Fall River in the South Coast, and in Springfield in Western Massachusetts. Wherever possible, we work to cluster multiple corps members in schools to maximize their impact on students and the community. Read on for more on each of these three sub-regions.

Teacher looks happily at her students' work.

Where We Work

All three sub-regions offer distinct, powerful opportunities to help us ensure all students in Massachusetts can access a world-class education.

Greater Boston: Boston, Chelsea, and Lawrence

Greater Boston is our largest sub-region, both in terms of corps member placement and geographic spread. It is inclusive of Boston, Chelsea, and Lawrence, which are smaller Gateway Cities that have become significant immigrant pathways over the last several decades. Full of history, Greater Boston also boasts one of the most exciting education ecosystems in the country. The Boston Public Schools is the largest school district in the state, and Greater Boston is also home to a strong charter sector, as economically disadvantaged students regularly outperform their affluent suburban counterparts. A vibrant nonprofit sector supports our students and their communities with a wide range of resources, supported by a community of over 50 colleges and universities. Beyond city limits, whole school districts can defy the correlation between demography and success. The Lawrence Public Schools is one of the largest school system in the state and boasts an innovative ecosystem of school support.

South Coast: Fall River

A former international maritime hub about an hour south of Boston, the South Coast of Massachusetts is full of rich history and Portuguese and Azorean culture. Teach For America Massachusetts places corps members and alumni in Fall River, a Gateway City in the South Coast. We are proud a partner of Fall River Public Schools, where district leaders are taking bold steps towards improving student outcomes. We also partner with charter schools serving students in grades K-12. The South Coast, however, boasts a tight knit community of stakeholders across the board working together to turn the tide. A dynamic charter sector, including Alma del Mar Charter School and Atlantis Charter School, are combining innovation and time-tested practices to provide a transformational education for South Coast kids. We are also proud partners of New Bedford and Fall River Public Schools, where district leaders are taking bold steps towards improving student outcomes.

A scene of New Bedford, Massachusetts shows buildings and the coast.

Western Massachusetts: Springfield

Located near the Berkshires, the city of Springfield presents a unique combination of opportunity for impact and an affordable lifestyle in a beautiful setting. Teach For America Massachusetts has partnered with the Western Massachusetts community since 2015 and significantly grown its presence and footprint over the years, establishing itself as a critical talent source. Our teachers and alumni are leading improvement efforts throughout the Springfield Empowerment Zone (SEPZ) and Springfield Public Schools, as well as leading some of Springfield’s charter schools.

Fall leaves over a creek in Western Massachusetts

Changemakers Wanted

Check your eligibility to join the Massachusetts corps today.

Check Eligibility

Our Alumni

Our more than 2,500 include leaders throughout the K-12 education space, including veteran educators and principals, superintendents and district-level leaders, and state education officials. Our local alumni educators have founded innovative schools such as Unidos at Lawrence High School, and share their voice as advocates in many venues, including the White House. Alum Jeff Riley (Baltimore ’93) led a ground-breaking district-level turnaround in Lawrence, Massachusetts, that could be a model for sustained, systemic change in a traditional school district; he now leverages that perspective as the state’s Commissioner of Education. To increase access to post-secondary education, alumni leaders like Amanda Seider (Atlanta ‘02) and Chessye Moseley (Colorado ‘12) lead organizations and initiatives to support early college programs and matriculation to and graduation from college.

Alumni like physician Avik Chatterjee (New Jersey ’02) provide much-needed health care to deeply underserved communities, while others like Shenkiat Lim (Mississippi Delta ’00) leverage their passion and MBA to deepen the impact of community-focused organizations like City Year.

“It's important for me as a man of color to be a force in the education movement because many of the decisions made that impact students in under-resourced communities are not made by people who reflect the backgrounds and experiences of those in the communities the policies most directly affect.”

Kwame Adams

Massachusetts Corps Member 2014

Get in Touch

Questions about Teach For America Massachusetts?

Drop Us a Note

Support Our Work

Your generosity helps us create a future in which all Massachusetts children can learn, lead, and thrive.

Donate

Charlotte-Piedmont Triad

Together, with families, educators, and community partners, we are working to ensure all students in Charlotte-Piedmont Triad receive excellent educational opportunities.

Apply to Teach in Charlotte-Piedmont Triad

On This Page

About Us Our Community Connect on Social Media Donate

About Us

Our corps members and alumni leaders are transforming education across the Charlotte and Piedmont Triad regions. Since launching our Charlotte corps in 2004 and expanding to the Piedmont Triad in 2014, we have built a powerful network of educators and leaders.

Our corps members serve as dedicated educators in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and Guilford County Schools, two of North Carolina's largest school districts. In Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, corps members teach in elementary, middle, and high schools across the district. In Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and Guilford County Schools, our educators have made significant contributions, with corps members regularly recognized for their teaching excellence.

Our commitment to educational excellence extends beyond the classroom. Alumni from both school districts have advanced into leadership roles as principals, assistant principals, and district administrators. Inspired by their classroom experiences, our alumni are leading transformational change in multiple sectors. They serve as school leaders, shape education policy, found advocacy organizations, and develop innovative businesses.

“One thing that I will always remember is that Teach For America taught me that before a student will learn from you, they must believe that you care for them. In addition to that philosophy, what I learned taught me that this work is bigger than what happens in the four walls of a classroom. Each student has a voice, a story, and a dream.”

Johnathan Moore

Charlotte-Piedmont Triad Corps Member 2016

Our Community

Charlotte-Piedmont Triad continues to expand our impact by cultivating models of excellence at both school and classroom levels while activating the collective leadership of our network. We create opportunities for our community to learn, innovate, and take action together.

Luckiewiki, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Charlotte

Charlotte is North Carolina's largest city and a major financial hub, home to the headquarters of Bank of America and Wells Fargo's East Coast operations. The city offers a thriving arts scene with world-class museums, vibrant murals throughout its neighborhoods, and regular gallery crawls.

Piedmont Triad

The Piedmont Triad, encompassing Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and High Point, has emerged as a dynamic hub for innovation, social entrepreneurship, and higher education. Home to prestigious institutions like Wake Forest University, UNC Greensboro, and NC A&T State University, the region offers rich cultural amenities, a growing tech sector, and an exceptionally affordable cost of living. The area's central location provides easy access to major East Coast cities while maintaining a strong sense of community and quality of life.

Changemakers wanted.

Check your eligibility to join the Charlotte-Piedmont Triad corps today.

Check Eligibility

Charlotte-Piedmont Triad covers the central part of North Carolina including focused placement in Charlotte, Greensboro, High Point, Gibsonville, and McLeansville. Working across these sites, corps members have the opportunity to explore and teach across two school districts—Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and Guilford County Schools—in addition to charter school partners.

“The work does not stop simply because I have become an alumnae of Teach for America. My purpose and passion continue to grow, and I am now equipped with more experience, greater exposure, and enhanced tools to keep pushing forward.”

Alyssa Sharpe

Charlotte-Piedmont Triad Corps Member 2009

Get in Touch

Questions about Teach For America Charlotte-Piedmont Triad?

Drop Us a Note

Support Our Work

Your generosity helps build a future in which all children in Charlotte-Piedmont Triad can learn, lead, and thrive.

Donate

Rio Grande Valley

In the Rio Grande Valley, we believe that our "familia" includes all students. Join educators and the broader community in ensuring students receive the education they deserve and our community's future demands.

Apply to Teach in the Rio Grande Valley

A high school classroom full of students raising their hands

On This Page

About Us Our Work Where We Work Local Leadership Support Us Connect on Social Media

About Us

Situated in deep South Texas, the Rio Grande Valley is 43,000 square miles bounded by the Rio Grande River to the west and south and the Gulf of Mexico to the east. The Valley's cultural richness has led to a community that is strong, proud, and determined—and a region that sings with opportunity and collaboration.

Teachers in the Rio Grande Valley are faced with a steep challenge. For every 100 students entering a public school classroom in South Texas today, only 12 will receive a college degree within six years of graduation. As early as third grade, students in South Texas are performing behind their peers across the state and this disparity persists into college for those students who are able to further their education.

Since 1991, Teach For America has brought more than 1,400 leaders to South Texas schools. Due to the partnership and sustained efforts of district teams, such as Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District and schools like IDEA, committed families, engaged community partners, and supportive elected officials, student outcomes have improved significantly during this time. The high school graduation rate has risen from 78 percent to over 90 percent since 2001, exceeding the rate for the rest of the state.

It is our goal that by 2030, twice as many children in the communities where we work will reach key educational milestones, indicating they are on a path to economic mobility and co-creating a future filled with possibility. This is an exciting time to live and lead in the Valley, where we are part of a movement working to change the region’s educational landscape and expectations for achievement.

Take the next step and make an impact.

Apply to Teach in Rio Grande Valley

Our Work

In the last 10 years, students in the Rio Grande Valley have achieved increases in educational outcomes.

From 73% to

91%

increase in graduation rates.

From 22% to

32%

in college readiness.

From 49% to

56%

in enrollment in higher education.

Driving this change has been bold leadership, school systems leaders from pre-K-12, institutions of higher education, and the workforce collaborating to create systems, public-private partnerships, and coordinated philanthropy. As a result, there has been a collective and consistent call for better educational outcomes for all children in preparation for the 21st-century demands our students face.

Students working on laptops with a teacher assisting.

Over the course of 27 years, Teach For America Rio Grande Valley has been a trailblazer in building a formidable leadership pipeline and network that has been a strong driver in this progress at the system, school, and classroom leadership levels. Look across the Rio Grande Valley, and you will see the footprint our corps members and alumni continue to make in our community. In spite of this progress, we know there is so much more to be done to ensure today’s students are the leaders our community needs in the future.

“I feel like I am adopted into a culture that wasn't my own to start with but I have grown to feel a part of this amazing place.”

- Ivy Stejskal, RGV Corps Member 2015

Where We Work

Corps members teach in the state’s three southernmost counties in ten different districts and over 30 different schools. Because our region is so geographically vast, we strive to keep corps members in groups to ensure that they receive support and can partner together and with colleagues to increase student opportunities and achievement.

Hidalgo County

Starr County

Cameron County

Get in Touch

Questions about Teach For America Rio Grande Valley?

Send Us A Note

“When my senior year of college came around, I knew I wanted to help others, but it wasn’t until I spoke to my Teach For America recruiter that I finally decided how I would do so. TFA’s mission deeply resonated with me and reminded me of my former teachers, some of whom were from TFA who, thanks to their constant encouragement, helped me get to and through college. I wanted to be able to push my students to reach their full potential in STEM the same way that my former TFA teachers did for me.”

- José Castillo, RGV Corps Member 2020

Expand Opportunities for RGV Students

Naturally situated on a physical border of the Rio Grande River, the Rio Grande Valley sits at the crossroads of two nations with intertwined history, culture, and language. For much of its history, the region has been defined by what it lacks. Increasingly confident, the local community is communicating its own narrative with a strong emphasis on family and community. Together, leaders from across sectors are stating that we can—and must—provide higher-quality educational options for all students.

Educators in the Rio Grande Valley have been slowly changing the odds. In a community where more than 85 percent of students are classified as economically disadvantaged, data shows the region's students are increasingly able to catch up to, and in many cases surpass the state average. In the past, the expectation might have been to graduate high school but now families and communities are demanding more opportunities for students to pursue higher education, including a new university and medical school.

Educators are highly respected leaders in the community and are given flexibility to innovate and develop additional solutions and pathways for students. Teach For America partners with a wide variety of school districts to develop our corps members and alumni into leaders who continue to fuel change as we work towards greater educational opportunities for all students.

Interested in joining the Rio Grande Valley teacher corps?

Take the Quiz

Ana D. González

Executive Director

Teach For America Rio Grande Valley

Ana Gonzalez has been an important presence in Rio Grande Valley’s Teach For America fabric since 2014.

Meet Our Team

Meet Our Board

Support Our Work

All gifts help our effort to recruit, select, train, and support excellent teachers and leaders for Rio Grande Valley students.

Donate Now

Memphis

Too many children in Memphis are denied access to an excellent education based on their zip code. Teach For America catalyzes leadership to make educational excellence for all a reality.

Apply to Teach in Memphis

On This Page

About Us Our Corps Members Our Alumni Our Leadership Connect On Social Media Support Us

About Us

With increasing momentum behind the movement to ensure educational excellence for all, Memphis is full of promise. To continue pushing our city forward, our goal is to attract more exceptional individuals to join our corps, develop their leadership skills, and support them in their diverse efforts to expand opportunities for all students. The magnitude and complexity of the change we seek will require sustained leadership both inside and outside of the current education system.

As we consider the educational landscape in Memphis today, we are firm in our belief that this city must be the place that refuses to question whether some kids can achieve and others can’t, but instead demands that all do at the highest of levels.

People walk in a parade with photos of MLK

Our Corps Members

TFA Memphis teachers are consistently named by the state of Tennessee as among the most effective, with over 78% of our corps members receiving a score of 3 or higher on the Tennessee Value-Added Assessment System (TVAAS). We've had numerous teachers recognized by their schools or the district for their work. In the past 4 years, 8 of our alumni have been named New Memphis Educators of Excellence. Every day in the classrooms of our corps members we see students succeed at rates not thought possible and they continue to raise the bar for our own expectations of what is possible in a first- or second-year teacher’s classroom.

“I believe that education is the key to ending poverty, education is the key to future success, is the key to current success.”

Cartavius Black

High School Success Coordinator, Grizzlies Prep

Memphis Corps Member 2017

Changemakers wanted.

Check your eligibility to join the Memphis corps today.

Check Eligibility

Our Alumni

There are more than 700 TFA alumni in Memphis. Our region offers of variety of leadership opportunities for alumni like our Aspiring School Leader Fellowship, Alumni Advisory Board, and Civic Leadership Series. We also offer programming to connect alumni with each other and our corps members through events like our annual Grits & GRIND Alumni Brunch.

Grits & Grind attendees; Barbara Rosser Hyde Honorees; alumni teacher

Check out these great resources available to our alumni!

Alumni on AIR podcast

The idea behind our "Alumni on AIR" initiative was to find alums who are doing amazing work and sit down with them in our "Alumni Impact Room" at the TFA office (hence, Alumni on AIR ) for a wide-ranging conversation about the work they're doing, what brought them to TFA, why they stayed in Memphis, and how they are living into their vision for "One Day".

Check out our Alumni on AIR podcast!

TFA Alumni Hub

The TFA Alumni Hub is your one stop shop for information about career resources, fellowships, university partners, regional and relocation services, and so much more.

Check out the Alumni Hub!

Backrs

TFA Memphis has a new social impact partner! Founded by Andy Bobowski (Memphis '08), Backrs is offering you a new and convenient way to empower Memphis students.

Chances are, you worked around the clock to support young Memphians when you were a teacher. Chances also are, this wasn't enough to guarantee college and career success. In addition to a good education, your high-performing, under-resourced students needed connections. Industry-specific mentorship. And opportunities.

With the Backrs social app, you can help ensure they have access to these resources on YOUR time.

Check out Backrs!

Alumni Leaders

Our alumni in Memphis are a force of leaders at every level—from classrooms to school systems, civic and cultural advocates, and social innovators.

Amber Huett-Garcia, MSCS Board Member

Amber has been committed to public service for her whole career. Beside serving as a TFA Memphis corps member she was a Public Policy Fellow with Shelby County; was a TFA Memphis staff member; and was the Senior Director, Student and Family Supports Comprehensive Planning for the TN Dept. of Education. Amber’s experience in education, advocacy, and politics serves her well in her current role as the Memphis Shelby County Schools Board Member for District 8.

Britney Thornton, JUICE Orange Mound

A native Memphian from Historic Orange Mound, Britney is a master social worker, licensed educator, and former law student. From all her years of service, she has found her passion as a community organizer. A graduate of Baylor University and the University of Pennsylvania, Britney has called Memphis home for over 30 years.

Founder of the non-profit JUICE Orange Mound, Britney continues to think of new and creative ways to address old issues. Under her leadership, she mobilized Orange Mound residents and supporters to invest over $12,200 in spare change to fund community-based initiatives. In 2022, she became the youngest Shelby County Commissioner in the history of Shelby County.

Grant Monda, Aurora Collegiate Academy

Since 2010, Grant has been committed to students as a teacher, coach, principal, and now Executive Director. Grant’s leadership at Aurora has driven incredible results for students and families, including being named the 2020 Charter School of the Year by the Tennessee Charter School Center. Grant was also a 2022 New Memphis Educators of Excellence awardee and a 2022 Barbara Rosser Hyde Alumni Leadership Award honoree.

Memphis Alumni Awards and Fellowships

Barbara Rosser Hyde Alumni Leadership Award

Aspiring School Leader Fellowship

Civic Leadership Series

Get in Touch

Questions about Teach For America Memphis?

Send Us A Note

Christopher Coleman, III

Executive Director

Teach For America Memphis

Chris brings over twenty years of professional experience in the education industry including experience in secondary, post-secondary, and adult education. He holds a B.S. in Mathematics and an M.Ed. From Southern Arkansas University. He received his MBA in Finance from the Fogelman School of Business at the University of Memphis. Chris is a proud native Memphian and is deeply rooted in the Memphis community. He has an undeniable passion, commitment, and vision toward every child in Memphis receiving an education that affords them a future full of possibilities.

Meet Our Board

Interview with TFA Memphis Executive Director on WKNO

Check out the interview Chris did with WKNO's series "The Spark", where he talks about the great things TFA Memphis Corps Members and Alumni are doing in the region!

Support Our Work

Your generosity helps us build a force of corps members and alumni serving Memphis students and working from all angles to ignite the movement for educational excellence for all.

Donate

Nashville-Chattanooga

Join a community of innovative educators and limitless learners who are passionate about creating opportunities for kids in Nashville-Chattanooga.

Apply to Teach in Nashville-Chattanooga

A Teach For America corps member working with a young student at her desk.

On This Page

About Us Where We Work Our Impact Our Alumni Connect on Social Media Support Our Work

About Us

Teach For America began our partnership with the Nashville community in 2009, and we expanded to Chattanooga in 2019. Since 2009, TFA has recruited nearly 1,400 educators for high-need classrooms in Middle and East Tennessee. Today, we serve as a strategic talent partner to Metro Nashville Public Schools, the Nashville charter sector, and Hamilton County Schools. As we look to the end of the decade in 2030, we are focused on mobilizing our network of corps members, Ignite tutors, and program alumni to ensure all students have access to an excellent education and the chance to pursue a thriving future and choice-filled life.

Over five years of impact in Chattanooga, Teach For America has recruited over 100 new teachers and 400 literacy tutors to Hamilton County Schools. The TFA network annually serves approximately 2,500 students in Midtown and Missionary Ridge, and 60% of our 100 program alumni continue to work full-time in education. Alumni in Chattanooga lead in the classroom, school and district leadership, and across a number of other sectors that directly impact young people in low-income communities. Jill Levine, a 1992 New Orleans alumna, is the Principal at Chattanooga High Center for Creative Arts and previously led the Opportunity Zone in Chattanooga, a group of 12 of the city's highest-needs schools. Shannon Moody (Metro Atlanta '08) serves as the school district's Chief Strategy Officer, and Breckan Duckworth (Metro Atlanta '10) is the policy advisor to the Deputy Superintendent.

Through the development and support provided by Teach For America, corps members have been found by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) to be among the most effective teachers in the state year over year.

For long-term change to take effect, we are working to create a movement of individuals committed to collective impact with students.

Where We Work

Our corps members teach in either Nashville or Chattanooga.

Nashville

In many ways, Nashville is a tale of two cities. On one side, it’s a vibrant cultural hub, renowned for its world-class music, food, and arts scene. Known as the “Athens of the South” for its exceptional higher education institutions, Nashville is home to a rich array of post-secondary institutions, including historically Black colleges and universities and is experiencing unprecedented economic and population growth.

Yet beneath this momentum lies a stark reality. Our economically disadvantaged students average an ACT score of just 17, and Nashville ranks among the nation’s largest achievement gaps compared to the 100 biggest U.S. cities. Here, far too often, a child’s zip code and background determine their opportunities and outcomes. We believe this is the moral crisis of our time—and it is one we are committed to confronting.

Chattanooga

Often called the “Scenic City” for its stunning rivers, mountains, and trails, Chattanooga is a place where natural beauty meets bold innovation. With a revitalized waterfront, a billion-dollar downtown investment, and the fastest internet service in the Western Hemisphere, the city is attracting young professionals, entrepreneurs, and creative leaders from across the country. Home to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and a thriving innovation district, Chattanooga is on a path of rapid growth and transformation.

Yet this progress stands in sharp contrast to a widening educational gap. While talent and potential are evenly distributed across our city’s students, opportunity is not. For far too many, the circumstances of their birth still determine the trajectory of their lives. We see changing that reality as both an urgent responsibility and an extraordinary opportunity for Chattanooga’s future.

One Vision, One Region

While much work remains to ensure that every student in Tennessee has access to an education that allows them to thrive and reach their full potential, the TFA Nashville-Chattanooga network has left an undeniable imprint on our region’s education landscape. Our alumni network includes more than 1,000 leaders across the region, with the majority serving in education or education-adjacent roles that ultimately shape the future of our cities and state. Nearly 500 corps members and alumni are teaching in classrooms across the region, consistently driving student growth that outpaces the state average year after year. Our alumni lead some of Tennessee’s most transformative schools, spearhead innovative nonprofits, and serve in critical public-sector positions—all working to redefine what an excellent education can and should look like for Tennessee’s students.

Join Us

Find out if you're eligible for our corps.

Check Eligibility

Nearly

200

TFA teachers in Nashville and Chattanooga.

Over

total TFA alumni in our area.

More than

90%

of our alums continue to work with low-income communities.

Our Alumni

Among the 1,100 program alumni living across the Nashville-Chattanooga region, nearly 60% work full-time in education including: 230 classroom teachers, 61 mid-level leaders in schools, 41 school systems leaders, 28 school principals, and 22 policy, advocacy, and organizing leaders. Several TFA alumni have founded some of the top performing public charter schools in Nashville, and we continue to invest in the development of future game-changing leaders through the Aspiring School Leader Fellowship in partnership with Lipscomb University.

Learn more about the Nashville-Chattanooga Alumni Council

Subscribe to the Nashville-Chattanooga Alumni Newsletter

Two alumni school leaders stand in a hallway

Get in Touch

Questions about TFA Nashville-Chattanooga?

Send Us a Note

Support Our Work

Your gift helps expand excellent educational opportunities in our communities.

Donate

Greater Tulsa

Greater Tulsa is a city on the rise. Reconciliation, entrepreneurship, and collaboration are fueling change, and this welcoming city invites more equity-oriented educators to join the growing Teach For America community with over 350 corps members and alumni working in collaboration with community members to build a brighter future.

Apply to Teach in Greater Tulsa

A group of individuals work on painting a colorful mural outside on a cement wall.

On This Page

Overview Living in Greater Tulsa Alumni Innovators Impact Now Financial Support Local Leadership Connect on Social Media Support Our Work

Living in Greater Tulsa

Living in a rising city means access to amenities. Our friends of Tulsa Remote describe Tulsa 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, including the recently opened $465 million Gathering Place.”

With a cost of living 43% below the national average and a community open to partnerships and collaboration, a move to Greater Tulsa is an invitation to innovate and build a life for yourself and a more just society for all.

Learn About Life in Tulsa

Photo of Gathering Place provided by Shane Bevel Photography

Builders wanted.

Join the community of Tulsa in building a brighter future for us all.

Apply Now

Alumni Innovators

Meet some of the alumni creating innovative movements and organizations in Tulsa.

Onikah Asamoa-Cesar (Greater Tulsa '13)

Onikah opened Fulton Street Books and Coffee in 2020 as a way to create community, develop relationships and build belonging and literacy across generations.

“In Tulsa, you can actually move the needle in a way that’s very unique,” says Onikah. “Almost anyone, I would say, is like two calls away. People are very accessible in a way that allows you to get the changemakers to the table and actually move the needle on an issue.”

Elsie Urueta Pollock

Pollock established Tulsa Honor Academy six years ago in east Tulsa. Its mission focuses on college preparedness, and though it’s not a dual language program (classes are taught in English), approximately 75% of its students are bilingual. Many are immigrants or the children of immigrants, and the school provides extra language support for those who need it.

Cynthia Jasso (Greater Tulsa ‘14)

Cynthia Jasso Burke is a senior program officer at George Kaiser Family Foundation, leading the foundation's Elevate East initiative, a comprehensive neighborhood development strategy seeking to expand pathways to economic prosperity in strategic east Tulsa neighborhoods. Cynthia works to help ensure that Tulsa is one of the most vibrant and welcoming places for families and for young children. She is the proud daughter of Mexican immigrants and a first-generation college graduate from UCLA. “My parents every single day would say, ‘Mija, we're not going to leave you with a fancy car or a fancy house, but an education no one can take away from you,’” Cynthia shared.

Impact Now

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.

Group of various adult individuals around a round table putting together building blocks

Kids Leading in Tulsa

With the experience and credibility that comes from effectively leading a classroom, our corps members and alumni increase their impact through increased responsibility. We have over 40 alumni serving in key leadership positions as school leaders, assistant principals, deans, and schools systems leaders. In addition to traditional leadership roles, our alumni have access to community leaders who support them to launch innovations that better support our students.

Tulsa is known for being open to leaders of all ages and backgrounds. Alumni Jake Learner (Greater Tulsa '15) and Andrew Specter (Greater Tulsa '15) noticed this in their experience, and wanted to ensure their students had access to the same assets of our community which lead them to launch Tulsa Changemakers.

Spotlight on Tulsa

Greater Tulsa Financial Supports

In addition to the financial supports all corps members are eligible to receive, TFA Greater Tulsa offers the following:

(1) Low certification cost

In 2009, the Oklahoma State Legislature passed a law enabling Teach For America to become a certifying agent in the state. As a result, our Teach For America Greater Tulsa region provides a low-cost certification program that is differentiated for the needs of our corps.

Breakdown of Certification Costs

$120-$150 per subject area exam (two exams required)
~$59 for background check
approximately $50 for degree-conferred transcript (varies by university)

(2) First day of school bonus

Thanks to the generosity of our community, each incoming Greater Tulsa Corps Member will receive a $1,500 First Day of School bonus.

Teach For America Oklahoma is a proud member of the AmeriCorps service network.

Get in Touch

Questions about Teach For America Greater Tulsa?

Drop Us a Note

Sarah Park

Hawai'i '08

Executive Director

Sarah Park serves as the Executive Director of Teach For America Greater Tulsa and Oklahoma City and brings 15 years of experience in education. Sarah’s passion for education started in the classroom as a 2008 Teach For America Hawai’i corps member where she taught 7th and 8th grade math. She took the lessons learned alongside students to become a Corps Member Advisor and a Manager of Teacher Leadership Development with TFA Hawai’i. In 2013, she joined the Oklahoma team where she held various programmatic roles and increased rigor and student learning in math and science classrooms across Oklahoma, launched Regional Summer Institute, and strengthened the corps and alumni experience for over 550 educators. Sarah now leads a localized strategic vision and plan, works side-by-side with local stakeholders to ensure TFA plays its critical role in advancing educational excellence, and aims to influence the conversation about education, learning, and economic mobility in Oklahoma.

Meet Our Team

Meet Our Board

Support Our Work in Greater Tulsa

Without supporters like you, we would not be able to create a network of leaders dedicated to advancing educational excellence for all children. To join us in making an even greater impact, we invite you to consider a donation today. Your contribution will empower us to do more for Greater Tulsa students while creating a brighter future together.

Donate