Buffalo
Once a stop on the underground railroad and one of the first cities to integrate schools, Buffalo holds its history close while looking to the future.
About Us
About Us
Since 2014, Teach For America Buffalo has organized its network of leaders to expand educational opportunities for students. Our Corps Members and Alumni have set high expectations for students’ academic and lifelong success in three key areas: English as a second language, special education, and bilingual Spanish education. Local alumni have set their sights high, becoming principals, district leaders, deepening their engagement with local nonprofits, and even founding charter schools - all moving to redefine what it means to get an excellent education in the Queen City.
The city of Buffalo is experiencing a resurgence and it is essential that the students of Buffalo and their families are able to partake in it. We see improving the quality of K-12 public education to be one way to ensure our students are included in the future of Buffalo and have joined local leaders and organizations in achieving this goal.
With nearly 120 alumni nationally and over 130 alumni in region who are committed to ensuring students in their classrooms and schools have the opportunity to learn, grow in their unique leadership potential, and access opportunities that mark the path of economic mobility, we have been able to touch the lives of thousands of students across Buffalo.
Our Community
Our Community
Join a community of passionate leaders who are creating opportunities for kids in Buffalo.
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In Buffalo our pride is strong, we are known as the city of good neighbors. Buffalo is home to a thriving innovation economy, however half of all students in Buffalo come from a low-income background and are not receiving the same resources and opportunities as their more affluent peers. Of the nearly 33,000 low-income students growing up in Buffalo, 1 in 3 will not graduate high school, and only 9% will receive a bachelor’s degree by the age of 25. While the statistics seem daunting, we have seen evidence in classrooms, schools, and districts that when students in low-income communities are given the educational opportunities they deserve, they excel.
This is a unique moment for Buffalo. The community has never been more focused on the state of our public schools and the urgency to improve them. Parents and families are more engaged in the progress of our public school system than at any time in recent history.
Buffalo is home to a large immigrant population, stemming largely from the active resettlement of refugees from around the world. Many alumni who teach here have an opportunity to work with students who are English language learners.
Buffalo is a city with a small-town feel. Locals are welcoming and are excited about being surrounded by positive change and new construction. There has never been a more exciting time to explore the Queen City.
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Our Mission
Teach For America Buffalo's mission is to inspire, develop, and mobilize leaders to grow and strengthen the movement for educational equity. Our alumni lead in every sector in education—as teachers, state public education chiefs, district and school leaders—and also take on inequity from outside education as well. Nearly 8 in 10 of our alumni are in education or working in low-income communities, working to advance the cause of excellence and equity. Our future focus is continuing to support our alumni in developing their leadership skills.
Nearly
138
Alumni living in the region.
More than
3
Aspiring Leader Fellows
Over
7
Alumni are leading in schools.
Nearly
138
Alumni living in the region.
More than
3
Aspiring Leader Fellows
Over
7
Alumni are leading in schools.
Get Involved
Get Involved
Whether you’re from Buffalo, interested in Buffalo, or just looking to learn more, we’d love to hear from you! Reach out to our regional staff!
Contact Info
Email: TeachForAmericaBuffalo@teachforamerica.org
Media Inquiries
Please contact us at press.center@teachforamerica.org.
Support Our Work
Support our efforts to connect TFA alums to opportunities to expand their impact in Buffalo
Donate
Local Leadership
Tia Morris
New York '98
Executive Director
Teach For America New York
Since starting her career here in NYC as a 1998 corps member, Tia has dedicated more than two decades to improving educational opportunities for young people. The former Executive Director for Teach For America New Jersey considers herself a warrior for social justice, and began leading the New York region in June 2020.
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Tampa Bay
Together, we are a force of hundreds of educators and leaders working to expand opportunities for thousands of students in the Tampa Bay area.
About Us
At Teach For America in Tampa Bay, we are committed to expanding educational opportunities for all students in our community. With a steadfast belief in the power of education to transform lives, we are dedicated to cultivating a diverse network of leaders who are working to create a brighter future for Tampa Bay's students.
Through our innovative programs, we recruit, train, and support exceptional individuals to become transformative educators and leaders. These dedicated individuals are placed in schools across the Tampa Bay area, where they inspire, engage, and empower their students.
Over the years, Teach For America in Tampa Bay has witnessed incredible stories of growth and achievement through our alumni educators and leaders. Beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, Teach For America in Tampa Bay will welcome its first cohort of corps member teachers who will join our thriving alumni network in schools and classrooms.
As we continue to collaborate with local schools and community stakeholders, our impact only grows stronger, paving the way for a brighter future for Tampa Bay's students.
More than
1500
TFA alumni live and work in Florida
Over
50%
continue to work in K-12 schools
In 2020-21
73
Florida alumni won Teacher of the Year at their school site.
More than
1500
TFA alumni live and work in Florida
Over
50%
continue to work in K-12 schools
In 2020-21
73
Florida alumni won Teacher of the Year at their school site.
Where We Work
Where We Work
Welcome to the gem of the Gulf Coast – Tampa Bay, Florida! Nestled along the serene shores of the Gulf of Mexico, Tampa Bay offers a harmonious blend of coastal and city life. Renowned for its diversity, life here is a dynamic fusion of rich heritage and vibrant culture. In fact, Tampa Bay holds the distinction of being ranked among the top 20 Most Diverse Cities in America.
Each neighborhood in Tampa Bay carries its own unique charm and rhythm. From the historic allure of Ybor City and Seminole Heights, to the thriving districts of Downtown Tampa, Hyde Park, Midtown and Channelside, there's an array of experiences to suit every preference.
Whether you're basking in the sun at Clearwater Beach or strolling along the shores of Fort De Soto Park, the coastal lifestyle is always within reach.
Tampa Bay offers a wealth of outdoor adventures for nature enthusiasts. Discover the untamed beauty of the Brooker Creek Preserve, kayak through the serene waterways of the Hillsborough River, or hike the scenic trails of the nearby state parks.
Soak in the sun's warmth, savor the cultural diversity, and embrace the spirit of exploration – this is what the Tampa Bay lifestyle is all about.
Local Leadership
LaKeisha Wells-Palmer
Executive Director
Teach For America Florida Regions
LaKeisha Wells-Palmer leads Teach For America's efforts as the Statewide Executive Director of Teach For America regions in Florida. With 22 years of experience in education, she serves as a champion for principals, teachers, and students. She has spent the last 11 years at Teach For America, serving as the Executive Director of Jacksonville, Central Florida, and Miami-Dade following five years leading Jacksonville’s programmatic efforts.
Connect on Social Media
Support Our Work
We are extremely grateful for your support. Your generosity has enabled us to build a diverse network of leaders serving our students and working from all angles to ignite the movement for educational equity. Your gifts help to recruit, select, train, and support excellent teachers and leaders for Tampa Bay Area students.
South Carolina: Pee Dee
Together with corps members, alumni, school partners, and our communities, we work collectively to realize the day when every child in the Pee Dee has an equal opportunity to learn, lead, thrive, and co-create a future filled with possibility.
About Us
While South Carolina is rich in culture, history, and community, educational opportunity is not spread equally here. In South Carolina’s Pee Dee, small, rural, and under-resourced schools struggle to fill their classrooms with teachers, contributing to inequitable outcomes between urban and rural students and between white students and students of color.
Since our inception in 2011, we have worked to recruit, develop, and retain high-quality teachers who transform student outcomes in South Carolina’s most under-resourced schools. Our movement has grown from placing our first corps of 31 teachers in the Pee Dee to developing 800+ teachers across the state since 2011. Together, our corps members and alumni form a network of classroom teachers, coaches, mentors, school leaders, elected officials, and policy makers, all working to build better futures for students at every level of the education system.
Today, we’re expanding our approach from placing teachers in hard-to-staff schools to also developing and retaining outstanding educators beyond the corps: the SC Impact Fellowship supports our alumni to build fulfilling, life-long careers in SC education leadership. Our New Teacher Academy provides our targeted development and training to all new teachers in Colleton County and Jasper County School Districts. And our Accelerator Academy enables more homegrown leaders to find their path to the South Carolina corps and create rewarding careers in the classroom.
Together, we are building a Pee Dee where every child - no matter their race or zip code - has an equal opportunity to learn, lead, thrive, and co-create a future filled with possibility.
Over
800
TFASC-developed Teacher Leaders
More than
200
TFA corps alumni living in South Carolina
Over
60%
TFASC corps alumni still work in education
Over
800
TFASC-developed Teacher Leaders
More than
200
TFA corps alumni living in South Carolina
Over
60%
TFASC corps alumni still work in education
Living Here
Living Here
Named for the indigenous Pee Dee tribe and nestled in the northeast corner of the state along the watershed of the Pee Dee River, the Pee Dee is a sparkling gem of nature’s wonders, with a unique combination of scenic waters, pristine parks, and landscapes ripe for exploration.
Corps members teach in Darlington, home of NASCAR’s oldest super-speedway; Sumter or Hartsville, home to charming neighborhoods, vibrant downtown scenes, as well as Coker University; and Williamsburg County, offering some of the state’s most delicious BBQ and situated along the beautiful Black River.
Many of our corps members choose to live, congregate, and hang out in Florence, a mid-size town located centrally amongst the other Pee Dee counties. Florence is home to some of the state’s largest cultural events, such as the Pecan Festival, and hosts a variety of options for entertainment for young professionals, including a popular convention center, a monthly block party during the summer, and a thriving downtown scene.
Near Florence, corps members can make a visit to Lake City, which offers the charm and community of a Southern small town and a fine arts and entertainment scene that rivals any big city, including its beautiful historic downtown and gallery centers. Lake City is famed for its annual ArtFields, a nine-day event that attracts artists from across the Southeast who display their work in venues around town. Florence is also less than 80 miles from Myrtle Beach – ideal for day-trips throughout the nearly year-long beach season!
The Pee Dee offers a charming balance of a small town feel, with expansive opportunities for entertainment, culture, and outdoor adventures, along with proximity to more metropolitan areas such as Charlotte, Columbia, Greenville, and Charleston for easy weekend trips. It’s the perfect area for anyone wanting the best of both worlds. No matter where in the Pee Dee you choose to live, you will be part of a thriving corps community committed to ensuring that each and every one of our students has access to an excellent education. And you will join a network of teachers, school leaders, and families who work tirelessly to create a community where every child can reach their potential and achieve their dreams, no matter their race or zip code.
Our Programs
Our programming is designed to support you through every stage of your leadership journey - from early exploration into the possibilities of a career in education to targeted development for roles in educational leadership and beyond.
Our partner, TeachSC, is a program that provides free support to anyone who’s thinking about becoming a teacher. When you sign up, you get perks like 1-on-1 coaching, up to $100 back in fee reimbursements towards expenses related to applying to our programs (including testing and fingerprints), and a chance to win a regional $1,000 scholarship!
Access these resources by signing up here!
Ignite is a national tutoring corps designed to accelerate learning and foster belonging with students. Ignite builds on Teach For America’s over 30 years of experience recruiting and developing leaders to partner with schools across the country to help students overcome the systemic barriers to an excellent education. Leveraging research-based best practices for high-impact tutoring, the Ignite Fellowship brings exceptional, equity-minded leaders into classrooms virtually to immediately add value with students and schools through customized learning. In South Carolina, fellows support students in two rural, under-resourced school districts during the 2023-2023 school year.
As an Ignite Fellow, you will:
- Lead small group, virtual learning experiences with students
- Be supported by a school-based, veteran educator
- Work approximately 3 - 5 hours per week during regular K-12 school hours
- Receive a $1200 (pre-tax) award upon successful completion of the Fellowship term
Am I Eligible?
The Ignite Fellowship is designed for applicants who are one or more of the following. Click here for additional eligibility requirements.
- A current undergraduate or graduate student for the spring 2024 semester (both full-time or part-time students are eligible)
- Accepted to the 2024 TFA corps
- A renewing Ignite Fellow
- A deferral from spring 2023 or fall 2023
- TFA alum
How Do I Apply?
The Spring Ignite application is now open - apply here by November 15th!
The Accelerator Academy provides development and context-building to aspiring TFASC corps members by supporting participants with the resources needed to be competitive TFA applicants and, ultimately, impactful SC educators. The program is designed for aspiring TFA corps members with an explicit desire to teach and lead in South Carolina who would benefit from additional support, development, and community before applying to the TFA corps.
Accelerator Academy participants attend a six-week virtual course consisting of synchronous and asynchronous sessions. Program components include:
- leadership development and coaching
- targeted application and interview preparation
- exploratory activities to build context around the educational landscape in South Carolina
- 1:1 engagements with an assigned TFA alumni mentor
Am I Eligible?
The Accelerator Academy is designed for applicants who meet the below requirements. Please reach out to Dr. Fraronda Green (fraronda.green@teachforamerica.org) with any questions.
- Are interested in applying to the TFA corps who would benefit from additional support and development before beginning the application process
- Have an explicit desire to teach and lead in South Carolina
How Do I Apply?
The program is offered twice per year in the Fall and Spring. If you're interested in learning more, register here for the interest meeting on September 12th!
- Fall Cohort (September 18th - October 27th): Apply here by September 13th
- Spring Cohort (January 22nd - March 8th): Applications will open on November 6th. Please check back for more details.
The Teacher Corps is South Carolina’s premier alternative teacher preparation and development program that provides first- and second-year educators with the professional, social, and financial support needed to launch an impactful career in the classroom.
As a corps member, you make a two-year teaching commitment at one of our partner school districts in the Lowcountry or Pee Dee communities. During this commitment, you receive ongoing training, coaching, and professional development from TFASC that enables you to transform student outcomes at schools with the greatest needs. We also provide you with a pathway to teacher certification and a statewide network of like-minded educational equity advocates.
Am I Eligible?
The Teacher Corps is designed for the below applicant types. Click here for more eligibility requirements.
- Undergraduate and graduate students who did not take a traditional education route but are interested in teaching
- Undergraduate and graduate students who did take a traditional education route and believe in TFASC’s vision
- Non-certified employees in South Carolina schools and school districts, including paraprofessionals, teaching assistants, and substitute teachers
- Career changers who are interested in teaching
How Do I Apply?
Applications for the 2024 are currently open - click here to apply!
The New Teacher Academy (NTA) brings our expertise in new teacher development to all first- and second- year teachers in a partner school district. Program participants attend monthly sessions structured around three pillars of development: Instructional Skills and Best Practices; Teacher Wellness and Emotional Resilience; and Mentorship and Community Leadership. NTA participants also engage in development on classroom management, data-driven instruction, cultural relevance, student engagement, and teacher wellness, and participate in 1:1 sessions with experienced teacher coaches to target their individual growth areas.
By providing crucial support, development, and community to early career educators, NTA retains more early career educators in South Carolina’s rural and under-resourced school districts most impacted by teacher turnover. Through NTA, districts retain more new teachers, ultimately leading to improved teacher outcomes. During the 2022-2023 school year, 100% of first-year teacher participants were retained for the duration of the school year.
We’re proud to partner with Colleton County School District and Jasper County School District during the 2023-2024 school year to provide the NTA program to 100+ first- and second-year teachers. If you’re interested in learning more about NTA, please reach out to Mike VanTyne (mike.vantyne@teachforamerica.org).
The SC Impact Fellowship supports exceptional TFA alumni who are interested in pursuing long-term leadership opportunities in South Carolina. Fellows commit to teach for two years in a high-need partner district while enrolled in one of two tracks aligned to their professional goals. In addition to track-specific development, fellows also engage in executive coaching and cohort-wide leadership development throughout their two-year fellowship. The program is explicitly designed for TFA alumni interested in pursuing long-term educational leadership opportunities in South Carolina. Fellowship tracks during the 2023-2024 school year include:
Educational Leadership:
- Designed for teachers with 3+ years of experience who want to move into administration in the next 2-3 years
- Fellows enroll in the Citadel’s two-year MEd in Educational Leadership program; following completion of the program, fellows are licensed and certified in Administration in South Carolina
- In addition to a tuition discount from the Citadel, fellows receive a $4,500 tuition contribution from TFASC
Aspiring to Lead:
- Designed for teachers with 2+ years of experience who are interested in pursuing mid-level leadership positions (instructional coach, dean of students, curriculum specialist, etc.)
- Fellows enroll in a Master’s program of their choice and receive a $4,500 tuition contribution from TFASC
Am I Eligible?
The SC Impact Fellowship is designed for applicants who meet the below requirements. Please reach out to Tess Holt (tess.holt@teachforamerica.org) with any questions.
- Are a TFA alumni in good standing
- Have 2-3+ years of classroom experience (depending on chosen track)
- Are willing to teach in a high-need TFASC partner district for two years during your fellowship term
- Have an explicit desire to move into educational leadership positions in South Carolina
How Do I Apply?
Applications for the 2024 cohort will open on November 13th, 2023. Please check back in early November for information on how to apply.
Changemakers Wanted.
Check your eligibility to join the South Carolina corps today.
Check Eligibility
“[TFA South Carolina’s] ongoing support helped me to achieve the best results in my classroom, and their resources proved to be effective every single time.”
Local Leadership
Courtney Waters
Executive Director
Teach For America South Carolina
Courtney has been with Teach For America South Carolina since 2018, leading alumni strategy and programs, external partnerships, thought leadership, fund development and the region’s state funding strategy. She most appreciates that TFA has provided an opportunity to work with state leaders and observe how South Carolina’s education system functions. She believes TFA is uniquely positioned to see the entire field, from policy to the practice of teaching, and align itself to provide innovative, community rooted support to districts across the state. Before joining this team, Courtney worked as a high school ELA teacher and in the supply chain management field in business development. She received a M.A. International Studies from Rhodes College and an M.A. Curriculum and Instruction from The University of Mississippi. She is a member of the Charleston County School District’s Board of Trustees.
Connect on Social Media
Support Our Work
Every gift matters to us, especially yours. We depend on the generosity of supporters like you to recruit, develop, and retain more high-quality teachers where the needs are greatest.
South Carolina: Lowcountry
Together with corps members, alumni, and our community, we work collectively to realize the day when every child in the Lowcountry has an equal opportunity to learn, lead, thrive, and co-create a future filled with possibility.
About Us
While South Carolina is rich in culture, history, and community, educational opportunity is not spread equally here. In South Carolina’s Lowcountry, small, rural, and under-resourced schools struggle to fill their classrooms with teachers, contributing to inequitable outcomes between urban and rural students and between white students and students of color.
Since our inception in 2011, we have worked to recruit, develop, and retain high-quality teachers who transform student outcomes in South Carolina’s most under-resourced schools. Our movement has grown from placing our first corps of 31 teachers in the Pee Dee to developing 800+ teachers across the state since 2011. Together, our corps members and alumni form a network of classroom teachers, coaches, mentors, school leaders, elected officials, and policy makers, all working to build better futures for South Carolina’s students at every level of the education system.
Today, we’re expanding our approach from placing teachers in hard-to-staff schools to also developing and retaining outstanding educators beyond the corps: the SC Impact Fellowship supports our alumni to build fulfilling, life-long careers in SC education leadership. Our New Teacher Academy provides our targeted development and training to all new teachers in Colleton County and Jasper County School Districts. And our Accelerator Academy enables more homegrown leaders to find their path to the South Carolina corps and create rewarding careers in the classroom.
Together, we are building a Lowcountry where every child—no matter their race or zip code—has an equal opportunity to learn, lead, thrive, and co-create a future filled with possibility.
Over
800
TFASC-developed Teacher Leaders
More than
200
TFA corps alumni living in South Carolina
Over
60%
TFASC corps alumni still work in education
Over
800
TFASC-developed Teacher Leaders
More than
200
TFA corps alumni living in South Carolina
Over
60%
TFASC corps alumni still work in education
Living Here
Living Here
Anchored by Charleston to the North and Savannah to the South, the Lowcountry is home to salty beaches, winding coastal waterways, and Spanish-moss-covered towns and cities. The Gullah/Geechee culture is strong here, as are opportunities to explore historical sites and experience many of the South’s top destinations.
The Lowcountry is commutable between placement areas: As a corps member, you may choose to live in the greater Charleston area, where you’ll have access to top restaurants, museums, and beaches. You might spend your downtime joining social or sports clubs, partaking in outdoor activities on the salt marshes, or exploring the vibrant city of Charleston, rated Travel & Leisure’s Top City in the U.S. for 11 years in a row.
Or you may choose to live in Walterboro, Jasper, or coastal Beaufort, where you have access to charming historic towns, endless outdoor activities, and the opportunity to build deep and life-long connections to your community. You might even have the opportunity to star as a movie extra—The Notebook and Forrest Gump were filmed here!
Finally, if you want to make a significant impact in one of our highest-need rural districts, you might decide to live in Allendale County. From Allendale, you'd also be only an hour away from one of Georgia's most vibrant areas, the Augusta metropolitan area, sitting between the South Carolina and Georgia state line.
No matter where in the Lowcountry you choose to live, you will be part of a thriving corps community committed to ensuring that each and every one of our students has access to an excellent education. And you will join a network of teachers, school leaders, and families who work tirelessly to create a community where every child can reach their potential and achieve their dreams, no matter their race or zip code.
Our Programs
Our programming is designed to support you through every stage of your leadership journey - from early exploration into the possibilities of a career in education to targeted development for roles in educational leadership and beyond.
Our partner, TeachSC, is a program that provides free support to anyone who’s thinking about becoming a teacher. When you sign up, you get perks like 1-on-1 coaching, up to $100 back in fee reimbursements towards expenses related to applying to our programs (including testing and fingerprints), and a chance to win a regional $1,000 scholarship!
Access these resources by signing up here!
Ignite is a national tutoring corps designed to accelerate learning and foster belonging with students. Ignite builds on Teach For America’s over 30 years of experience recruiting and developing leaders to partner with schools across the country to help students overcome the systemic barriers to an excellent education. Leveraging research-based best practices for high-impact tutoring, the Ignite Fellowship brings exceptional, equity-minded leaders into classrooms virtually to immediately add value with students and schools through customized learning. In South Carolina, fellows support students in two rural, under-resourced school districts during the 2023-2023 school year.
As an Ignite Fellow, you will:
- Lead small group, virtual learning experiences with students
- Be supported by a school-based, veteran educator
- Work approximately 3 - 5 hours per week during regular K-12 school hours
- Receive a $1200 (pre-tax) award upon successful completion of the Fellowship term
Am I Eligible?
The Ignite Fellowship is designed for applicants who are one or more of the following. Click here for additional eligibility requirements.
- A current undergraduate or graduate student for the spring 2024 semester (both full-time or part-time students are eligible)
- Accepted to the 2024 TFA corps
- A renewing Ignite Fellow
- A deferral from spring 2023 or fall 2023
- TFA alum
How Do I Apply?
The Spring Ignite application is now open - apply here by November 15th!
The Accelerator Academy provides development and context-building to aspiring TFASC corps members by supporting participants with the resources needed to be competitive TFA applicants and, ultimately, impactful SC educators. The program is designed for aspiring TFA corps members with an explicit desire to teach and lead in South Carolina who would benefit from additional support, development, and community before applying to the TFA corps.
Accelerator Academy participants attend a six-week virtual course consisting of synchronous and asynchronous sessions. Program components include:
- leadership development and coaching
- targeted application and interview preparation
- exploratory activities to build context around the educational landscape in South Carolina
- 1:1 engagements with an assigned TFA alumni mentor
Am I Eligible?
The Accelerator Academy is designed for applicants who meet the below requirements. Please reach out to Dr. Fraronda Green (fraronda.green@teachforamerica.org) with any questions.
- Are interested in applying to the TFA corps who would benefit from additional support and development before beginning the application process
- Have an explicit desire to teach and lead in South Carolina
How Do I Apply?
The program is offered twice per year in the Fall and Spring. If you're interested in learning more, register here for the interest meeting on September 12th!
- Fall Cohort (September 18th - October 27th): Apply here by September 13th
- Spring Cohort (January 22nd - March 8th): Applications will open on November 6th. Please check back for more details.
The Teacher Corps is South Carolina’s premier alternative teacher preparation and development program that provides first- and second-year educators with the professional, social, and financial support needed to launch an impactful career in the classroom.
As a corps member, you make a two-year teaching commitment at one of our partner school districts in the Lowcountry or Pee Dee communities. During this commitment, you receive ongoing training, coaching, and professional development from TFASC that enables you to transform student outcomes at schools with the greatest needs. We also provide you with a pathway to teacher certification and a statewide network of like-minded educational equity advocates.
Am I Eligible?
The Teacher Corps is designed for the below applicant types. Click here for more eligibility requirements.
- Undergraduate and graduate students who did not take a traditional education route but are interested in teaching
- Undergraduate and graduate students who did take a traditional education route and believe in TFASC’s vision
- Non-certified employees in South Carolina schools and school districts, including paraprofessionals, teaching assistants, and substitute teachers
- Career changers who are interested in teaching
How Do I Apply?
Applications for the 2024 are currently open - click here to apply!
The New Teacher Academy (NTA) brings our expertise in new teacher development to all first- and second- year teachers in a partner school district. Program participants attend monthly sessions structured around three pillars of development: Instructional Skills and Best Practices; Teacher Wellness and Emotional Resilience; and Mentorship and Community Leadership. NTA participants also engage in development on classroom management, data-driven instruction, cultural relevance, student engagement, and teacher wellness, and participate in 1:1 sessions with experienced teacher coaches to target their individual growth areas.
By providing crucial support, development, and community to early career educators, NTA retains more early career educators in South Carolina’s rural and under-resourced school districts most impacted by teacher turnover. Through NTA, districts retain more new teachers, ultimately leading to improved teacher outcomes. During the 2022-2023 school year, 100% of first-year teacher participants were retained for the duration of the school year.
We’re proud to partner with Colleton County School District and Jasper County School District during the 2023-2024 school year to provide the NTA program to 100+ first- and second-year teachers. If you’re interested in learning more about NTA, please reach out to Mike VanTyne (mike.vantyne@teachforamerica.org).
The SC Impact Fellowship supports exceptional TFA alumni who are interested in pursuing long-term leadership opportunities in South Carolina. Fellows commit to teach for two years in a high-need partner district while enrolled in one of two tracks aligned to their professional goals. In addition to track-specific development, fellows also engage in executive coaching and cohort-wide leadership development throughout their two-year fellowship. The program is explicitly designed for TFA alumni interested in pursuing long-term educational leadership opportunities in South Carolina. Fellowship tracks during the 2023-2024 school year include:
Educational Leadership:
- Designed for teachers with 3+ years of experience who want to move into administration in the next 2-3 years
- Fellows enroll in the Citadel’s two-year MEd in Educational Leadership program; following completion of the program, fellows are licensed and certified in Administration in South Carolina
- In addition to a tuition discount from the Citadel, fellows receive a $4,500 tuition contribution from TFASC
Aspiring to Lead:
- Designed for teachers with 2+ years of experience who are interested in pursuing mid-level leadership positions (instructional coach, dean of students, curriculum specialist, etc.)
- Fellows enroll in a Master’s program of their choice and receive a $4,500 tuition contribution from TFASC
Am I Eligible?
The SC Impact Fellowship is designed for applicants who meet the below requirements. Please reach out to Tess Holt (tess.holt@teachforamerica.org) with any questions.
- Are a TFA alumni in good standing
- Have 2-3+ years of classroom experience (depending on chosen track)
- Are willing to teach in a high-need TFASC partner district for two years during your fellowship term
- Have an explicit desire to move into educational leadership positions in South Carolina
How Do I Apply?
Applications for the 2024 cohort will open on November 13th, 2023. Please check back in early November for information on how to apply.
Changemakers Wanted.
Check your eligibility to join the South Carolina corps today.
Check Eligibility
“[TFA South Carolina’s] ongoing support helped me to achieve the best results in my classroom, and their resources proved to be effective every single time.”
Local Leadership
Courtney Waters
Executive Director
Teach For America South Carolina
Courtney has been with Teach For America South Carolina since 2018, leading alumni strategy and programs, external partnerships, thought leadership, fund development and the region’s state funding strategy. She most appreciates that TFA has provided an opportunity to work with state leaders and observe how South Carolina’s education system functions. She believes TFA is uniquely positioned to see the entire field, from policy to the practice of teaching, and align itself to provide innovative, community rooted support to districts across the state. Before joining this team, Courtney worked as a high school ELA teacher and in the supply chain management field in business development. She received a M.A. International Studies from Rhodes College and an M.A. Curriculum and Instruction from The University of Mississippi. She is a member of the Charleston County School District’s Board of Trustees.
Connect on Social Media
Support Our Work
Every gift matters to us, especially yours. We depend on the generosity of supporters like you to recruit, develop, and retain more high-quality teachers where the needs are greatest.
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