Twin Cities
About Us
Minnesota is a top 10 state in a variety of livability measures (according to U.S. News): healthcare, employment, and education. We rank seventh in the country for PreK through 12th grade education. That said, student achievement results indicate massive disparities in educational outcomes by race and class. While these rates have improved slightly over the past few years, Minnesota ranks in the bottom four states for four-year high school graduation for Black, Latinx, and Indigenous students. Only 60 percent of Minnesota's students of color graduate—and of that group, only one-third go on to enroll in post-secondary institutions. Thirty percent of low-income background students and students of color enrolled in college have to take remedial coursework. At the same time, as our student population grows more diverse, our education system is not built to serve them and meet their needs. These are the challenges that face our community.
We are working towards an equitable future for all children in Minnesota. Teach For America is a network of leaders transforming the education landscape in the Twin Cities Metro Area in order to ensure that one day all students have access to an excellent education. We recruit and develop promising young leaders to teach in low-income schools for at least two years, then support their impact throughout their career, both within and outside of the education system. The majority of our alumni continue to work on issues impacting racial and educational equity in our community. They are leaders who are living out their dedication to the Teach For America mission in schools, policy, business, law, healthcare and non-profits across the Twin Cities.
More than
320
corps members since 2009.
Approximately
16K
students impacted across Minneapolis and St. Paul.
More than
900
alumni, including 46% working in education and 81% working on issues that impact low-income populations.
More than
320
corps members since 2009.
Approximately
16K
students impacted across Minneapolis and St. Paul.
More than
900
alumni, including 46% working in education and 81% working on issues that impact low-income populations.
More About the Twin Cities
The Twin Cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis are incredibly rich and diverse cities with dramatic skylines, exciting pro sports, award-winning theaters, renowned restaurants and a booming craft beer scene. Whether you are a music-lover, avid biker, or love hiking- there is something for everyone. Minnesota is home to 66 state parks, 10,000 lakes and historic music venues famous for their live music. We enjoy all four seasons, and while you have likely heard of our snowy winters we also enjoy beautiful summers and vibrant falls.
Our region is situated on stolen Dakota land. Both the State of Minnesota and the United States Government have carried out genocide, ethnic cleansing, and forced removal against the Dakota as a way to acquire land. Despite centuries of colonial theft and violence, this is still Indigenous land, and will always be Indigenous land. Indigenous people continue to demonstrate their talents and gifts amidst a backdrop of ongoing colonialism and oppression.
Our powerful BIPOC, Indigenous and working class communities have led struggles and movements across the history of our state. For instance, The American Indian Movement (AIM), a Native American grassroots movement was founded in Minneapolis in 1968. Initially centered in urban areas to address systemic issues of poverty, discrimination, and police brutality against Native Americans, AIM soon widened its focus from urban issues to include many Indigenous Tribal issues that Native American groups have faced due to settler colonialism of the Americas. The state also has a strong history of labor struggles, with unions leading actions for Labor Rights.
The land of 10,000 lakes is home to a number of vibrant immigrant communities. We have the second largest Hmong population in the U.S, as well as the largest Somali population in the world outside of Somalia. Minnesota also has the largest population of urban Native students in the country, and the largest and most tribally diverse urban settlement of Indigenous or American Indian communities. Minneapolis is also a sanctuary city, with 13% of the refugees in the country, residing among 2% of the state’s population.
Our Network
Our region is comprised of a diverse, expansive network of corps members and alumni. Nineteen percent of our corps and 16 percent of alums identify as people of color, and more than one-fifth come from low-income background. Our alums span across all sectors in the Twin Cities’ community, from teachers to policy and advocacy leaders.
Mikisha Nation
Executive Director
Teach For America Twin Cities
Mikisha brings 15 years of experience in corporate, government, and nonprofit leadership to her role as Executive Director of Teach For America's Twin Cities region. Mikisha shares lived experience with many of the students we serve and is deeply committed to ending educational inequity.
Alumni Fellowships
We are committed to providing structured, cohort-based professional development opportunities to the alumni community in the form of three distinct fellowship programs designed to encourage and support alumni leaders in the Twin Cities region.
Inspire Teacher Leader Fellowship
This 2-year fellowship program is designed to develop effective culturally responsive teachers who are able to identify and interrupt inequitable educational practices at the self, group and system level and deliver on transformational outcomes for students.
The program consists of eight 6-week sessions in addition to a 9-week culminating action project over the course of two years. During each session, fellows will engage in whole group instruction, asynchronous reading and reflection, and a community of practice exercise that will allow them to apply their learning alongside their cohort. Fellows will engage in programming with a lead facilitator who brings expertise in adult coaching and culturally responsive instructional practices.
In addition to the core programming, fellows will be invited to optional community building sessions and additional professional development offered by the Teach For America Twin Cities team.
Admissions Criteria
- Teacher of record
- 3-5 years teaching experience (candidates may be considered who fall outside this range)
- Demonstrated commitment to their school community, personal identity development and anti-racism
- Believes in the importance of unique cultural and racial identities and the potential of all students to attain academic excellence and pursue a choice filled life.
Application Process
Interested candidates may apply for fellowship by completing an online application consisting of short answer questions detailing their reasons for applying, qualifications and commitment to engaging. Candidates must also ask a personal reference to complete a brief online form recommending their candidacy. Candidates will then participate in a virtual interview with a member of the TFA Fellowship Team in which they will have the opportunity to expand on their application, further demonstrate their qualifications and ask questions about the fellowship experience and expectations. All candidates will be notified of their application status during the last week in May. Click here to view and complete the application.
Activate School Leadership Fellowship
This 2-year fellowship program is designed to develop the capacity of emerging school leaders to lead effective and responsive teams and schools.
The program consists of 5 sessions (2 per academic year and 1 over the bridge summer.) The first year will focus on personal leadership development and building foundational knowledge in school-wide culturally responsive pedagogy and practice. The second year will focus on the adaptive and technical skills needed to lead in the context of a school community. At the culmination of each session, each fellow will generate a job-specific artifact of their learning. These artifacts will build upon each other to create a leadership portfolio with strategies, core beliefs, and tools for system impact.
During each session, fellows will engage in whole group instruction, asynchronous reading and reflection, and a community of practice exercise that will allow them to apply their learning alongside their cohort. Fellows will engage in in-person programming with a lead facilitator who brings expertise in school leadership and adult development. They will also engage with a mentor (someone with a strong tenure of experience in a job-alike role).
In addition to the core programming, fellows will be invited to optional community building sessions and additional professional development offered by the Teach For America Twin Cities team.
Admissions Criteria
- A career educator who has at least two years of teaching experience* and is in year 1-3 of an entry level leadership position within a school, charter network, or district
- Currently in a leadership role where they are directly impacting or creating school systems and either directly managing or leading adults.
- Believes in the importance of unique cultural and racial identities and the potential of all students to attain academic excellence and pursue a choice filled life.
- Interest in developing a culturally responsive pedagogy and honing their skills as an anti-racist leader who is able to build systems that create an equitable school experience for all students.
- Actively engaging in their own identity development work
- *These years do not need to be in a licensed teaching role, but all fellows must have at least 2 years of experience in a student facing instructional role prior to applying for this fellowship.
Application Process
Interested candidates may apply for fellowship by completing an online application consisting of short answer questions detailing their reasons for applying, qualifications and commitment to engaging. Candidates must also ask a personal reference to complete a brief online form recommending their candidacy. Candidates will then participate in a virtual interview with a member of the TFA Fellowship Team in which they will have the opportunity to expand on their application, further demonstrate their qualifications and ask questions about the fellowship experience and expectations. All candidates will be notified of their application status during the last week in May. Click here to view and complete the application.
Minnesota Ed Policy Fellowship
This one year fellowship program is designed to develop and nurture a diverse coalition of individuals dedicated to affecting education systems change through policy understanding and action.
The program consists of eight sessions over the course of an academic year, with the invitation to apply for micro-grant funding to complete an action project related to education policy and advocacy in year 2. Each month-long session includes a cohort session that covers content and provides time for application in a group setting. Fellows are also provided with an additional independent activity to complete and are assigned a peer fellow to reflect with. Fellows will engage in programming with a lead facilitator who brings expertise in MN state education policy, in addition to guest speakers who specialize in components of the MN legislative process.
In addition to the core programming, fellows will be invited to optional community building sessions and additional professional development offered by the Teach For America Twin Cities team.
Admissions Criteria
- Current or former educators with a desire to learn more about how policy shapes the education system and is excited to apply that knowledge to advocate & take action with their community.
- Open to all TFA alumni (regardless of industry or role) and any staff member with a Teach For America partner school.
- Demonstrated commitment to their personal identity development and anti-racism.
- Demonstrated commitment to and investment in their community.
- Interest in developing and honing their skills as an anti-racist leader and actively engaging in their own identity work.
Application Process
Interested candidates may apply for fellowship by completing an online application consisting of short answer questions detailing their reasons for applying, qualifications and commitment to engaging. Candidates must also ask a personal reference to complete a brief online form recommending their candidacy. Candidates will then participate in a virtual interview with a member of the TFA Fellowship Team in which they will have the opportunity to expand on their application, further demonstrate their qualifications and ask questions about the fellowship experience and expectations. All candidates will be notified of their application status during the last week in May. Click here to view and complete the application.