Certification is the process by which you achieve a temporary teaching credential and work toward full permanent licensure. Learn more about becoming certified to teach in the D.C. Region.
Becoming Certified to Teach in the D.C. Region
Certification is the process by which you achieve a temporary teaching credential and work toward full permanent licensure. It requires passing content and pedagogy exams, successfully completing graduate-level education coursework, and meeting TFA/school-based professional and performance-based expectations. All TFA-DCR corps members must be enrolled in and on track for the successful completion of our certification program.
Praxis Tests are exams required by Virginia, D.C., and Maryland to be eligible to teach a specific subject area. You must take and pass the necessary Praxis exams during your two years. These exams are needed in order to begin the hiring process, apply for your initial teaching certification and conclude the program by being eligible for a standard teaching license. For more information on tests, you can look at these one-page documents for each of our jurisdictions. You can also visit the ETS Website to learn more.
TFA D.C. Region Teacher Development Training
You will engage in various teacher development training before your first day of teaching and throughout your two years.
- Before the First Day of School
- You will engage in summer pre-service training that will include national and regional learning experiences and a 4-week practicum teaching assignment in a D.C. Region school. Additionally, you will engage in training provided by your district and school.
- You will engage in summer pre-service training that will include national and regional learning experiences and a 4-week practicum teaching assignment in a D.C. Region school. Additionally, you will engage in training provided by your district and school.
- During Your Two Years
- All corps members are required to attend our quarterly All Corps Learning Events. During the events, corps members will build community and learn instructional and leadership practices aligned to being anti-racist teacher leaders.
- All corps members will be assigned to a cohort where they will receive classroom observations and engage in group coaching sessions with peers facilitated by a TFA coach.
- First-year corps members will also enroll in a certification program where they will learn foundational classroom and instructional practices.