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Jacksonville

Together, we are a force of hundreds of educators and leaders working to expand opportunities for thousands of students in Jacksonville since 2008.
A teacher and her student, smiling at one another.

About Us

Since 2008, our educators and alumni have impacted tens of thousands of students across Jacksonville. More than just a source of excellent education leaders, we are a tight-knit, vibrant network grounded in our mission to provide all students with an excellent and equitable education and a future filled with opportunities. As a network and a broader community, we see progress across the state of Florida. Yet, opportunity in our highest-need communities remains disproportionately inaccessible across lines of race and income. Teach For America Jacksonville is committed to seeing the day where all students in our communities have the opportunity to reach their full potential. 

Our Year of Resilience

Local Leadership

LaKeisha Wells-Palmer

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.

Changemakers Wanted

Check your eligibility to join the Jacksonville corps today.
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Living Here

Living Here

Welcome to the vibrant heart of the Sunshine State – Jacksonville, Florida! Nestled along the picturesque Atlantic coastline, Jacksonville offers a dynamic blend of laid-back beach vibes and bustling urban energy. Life here is a captivating fusion of natural beauty, deep history, and cultural diversity.



Each Jacksonville neighborhood has its own distinct rhythm and character. From the historic charm of Springfield, Riverside and Avondale, where oak-lined streets beckon you to explore boutiques and eateries, to the thriving arts scene in Five Points and San Marco, there's something to satisfy every taste.

Bask in the sun-soaked shores of the stunning beaches. Whether you're catching waves at Jacksonville Beach, or strolling the sandy stretches of Hanna Park, the coastal lifestyle is always at your doorstep.

Discover a number of world-class museums, galleries, and cultural hubs along the First Coast. Dive into history at the Museum of Science & History (MOSH), or experience contemporary creativity at the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens. Home to the country’s oldest city of St. Augustine just miles away, North Florida is steeped in deep historical context.

Jacksonville boasts an abundance of adventures for outdoor enthusiasts. Explore the untamed beauty of the Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve, kayak through the meandering waterways of the St. Johns River, or hike the scenic trails of one of the many nearby state parks.

Soak up the sun, savor the cultural richness, and embrace the spirit of adventure – this is what the Jacksonville lifestyle is all about. 

A skyline of Jacksonville with a body of water and bridge in the foreground.

Our Superpower: Teach For America's Summer Training

Certification and Graduate School

Florida offers two types of educator certificates: temporary and professional. It is not required to earn a master's degree in our region.

Get in Touch

Questions about Teach for America Jacksonville?
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Alumni Leadership

Transforming education requires a broad and diverse coalition of people united around shared values and purpose, and our focus is on leveraging networks to pursue and achieve systems-level change. We do this by developing, supporting, and tracking the degree to which our alumni are making purposeful change in the area; engaging with and initiating programs or policies locally; and connecting with each other, our community, and our network to achieve maximum impact.

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Support Our Work

We are extremely grateful for your support. Your generosity has enabled us to build a diverse force of corps members and alumni 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 Jacksonville students.