Make an impact on students and schools by seeking a teaching job in Appalachia’s tight-knit community.
Are you searching for a teaching position in Appalachia?
If you are eager to be part of the educational progress happening in Kentucky, Teach For America (TFA) could be a great option for you. TFA offers a unique opportunity to make an impact in students’ lives and serve the Appalachian community.
Teach For America’s Approach
TFA recruits outstanding leaders from all backgrounds and career sectors to become TFA “corps members.” That includes recent college graduates and people who have taught for several years, as well as people interested in making a career change.
Corps members commit to teaching for two years, where they are full-time, salaried employees of local public schools and confront both the challenges and joys of expanding opportunities for kids. Many choose to continue teaching after their two-year TFA commitment ends. Corps members develop into strong classroom leaders who go beyond traditional expectations to advance students’ academic and personal growth, while helping to strengthen schools. They work in the districts and schools most impacted by educational inequity.
In partnership with nonprofit organizations and businesses in Appalachia, corps members receive initial training, ongoing professional development, and access to an unparalleled resource and support network.
Teach For America has 6,200 corps members in 50 regions, reaching more than 400,000 students in 2,500 schools.
While specific regional placement is not guaranteed, 80 percent of TFA's applicants are assigned to their most preferred location. We know that your personal location preferences are important. Read more below about our placement process.
Corps Member Eligibility
In order to be considered for a position with TFA, you must have a bachelor’s degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 and U.S. citizenship, national/legal resident status, or be a DACA recipient. You are not required to have a background in education.
In addition to these eligibility requirements, we seek people have a deep belief in the potential of every child, a strong record of achievement, and perseverance in the face of challenges, among other key values and experiences. Read more about the characteristics of strong corps members.
Redefine Your Career
Learn more about teaching in Appalachia, and apply to teach as part of the Teach For America corps today.
Working in Appalachia
As a corps member, you will be required to complete steps to become highly qualified in the subject(s) you’ll teach and work toward full teaching certification during your two-year commitment. Learn more about earning your teaching license and getting hired at a school.
Salary and Benefits
As a corps member in Appalachia, you’ll receive salary and benefits from the school district, charter school, or pre-K center where you work. You’ll be paid the same as other beginning teachers working for the same employer. Salaries for new teachers in Appalachia start at $32,000.
As a full-time TFA teacher, you are entitled to medical benefits through your school or district. Plans and costs vary, depending on where you teach. Read more on salary and benefits.
You may also be eligible for additional financial incentives exclusively available to TFA corps members. Learn more about financial aid, including transitional funding packages.
Teaching Certification
During your time as a corps member in Appalachia, you’ll receive a temporary, provisional teaching certificate during your two-year commitment. You’ll be eligible to earn a full credential during their third year in the classroom.
If you choose to, you can work toward a master’s degree while you are a corps member. However, note that TFA Appalachia does not have formal partnerships with universities. If you do choose to pursue a master’s degree, you may be able to finance it using AmeriCorps Education Awards and partial tuition reimbursement benefits from your district.
Learn more about certification and training in Appalachia.
After Two Years
After your two-year commitment with TFA, you may choose to stay in the classroom for additional years of teaching. Some TFA alumni go on to work in school leadership, and many others go on to impact educational equity from another sector.
We are dedicated to making sure you have the resources and support you need to lead and continue to work towards change, with a dedicated TFA Appalachia support staff. Learn more about life after the corps.
20
Corps members
280
Alumni
Teach For America’s Placement Process
TFA corps members teach in 50 regions. After applying and interviewing for TFA, you’ll have the opportunity to rank the regions where you prefer to teach.
Our placement process is designed to assign you to the region(s) you’re most interested in as best as possible, since we know that landing in a region that matches your priorities is important. A majority of applicants are placed in one of their top regional choices.
After applying, you must select and rank 10 TFA regions where you want to teach, one of which must be a region we’ve designated as “high priority.” Read more about our placement process.
Make an Impact in Appalachia
Teach For America has been in Appalachia since 2011. As a corps member, you’ll work alongside alumni and staff and fellow educators to challenge educational inequity and build a strong community, helping more kids have access to an excellent education and the life opportunities that come with it.
You’ll be part of a tight-knit community committed to helping work toward a future in Appalachia that goes beyond the legacy of coal mining and energy production. As a corps member, you’ll teach in one of 16 districts throughout the region, including large consolidated schools, independent city districts, and small isolated community schools. You’ll use your background and leadership skills to drive students to academic success and transform lives.
Find out more about what it’s like to be a part of this movement in Appalachia and start your application to join the work today.
Apply Today
Make an impact on students. Apply to be a corps member with Teach For America today.