Teaching Jobs in Nashville-Chattanooga
Searching for the right teaching position in Nashville or Chattanooga for the school year?
Teach For America (TFA) could be a great option for you. Whether you’ve taught for several years, you’re making a career change into education, or just graduating from college, TFA is a unique opportunity to make an impact in students’ lives and serve communities in Tennessee.
Teach For America’s Approach
TFA recruits outstanding leaders from all backgrounds and career sectors to become TFA “corps members.” Corps members commit to teaching for two years, where they are full, 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 local universities such as Lipscomb University and Relay Graduate School of Education, nonprofit organizations, and Tennessee businesses, corps members receive initial training, ongoing professional development, and access to an unparalleled resource and support network.
TFA has more than 3,000 corps members, reaching nearly 250,000 students in over 1,500 schools.
You'll be placed in your preferred region so long as there's space and you meet the local requirements. Read more below about our placement process.
Corps Member Eligibility
To be considered for a position with TFA, you must have a bachelor’s degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 and either have U.S. citizenship, national/legal resident status or be a DACA recipient or EAD holder. You are not required to have a background in education.
In addition to these eligibility requirements, we seek people who 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
Applications to teach in Nashville-Chattanooga will open in August 2024. In the meantime, take our quiz to discover your dream career.
Teaching in Nashville-Chattanooga
As a corps member, you must 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
You’ll receive a 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 Nashville-Chattanooga range between $46,000 to $56,000, depending on the subject and grade level you teach.
Benefits
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, benefits, and cost of living in Nashville-Chattanooga.
You may also be eligible for additional financial incentives exclusively available to TFA corps members. Learn more about financial aid, including transitional funding packages.
Master’s Degree Option
Corps members have the option to earn a Master’s Degree in Education from Lipscomb University or a Master’s of Arts in Teaching from Relay Graduate School of Education.
Corps members typically use their AmeriCorps Education Award and partial tuition reimbursement benefits from their district to finance tuition. Learn more about certification and training in Nashville-Chattanooga.
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 ensuring you have the resources and support you need to lead and continue to work toward change with a dedicated TFA Nashville-Chattanooga alumni support staff. Learn more about life after the corps.
Our Placement Process
TFA places corps members in more than 40 regions throughout the U.S. During the application process, you can select up to three regions. Then, after interview week concludes, you'll have an opportunity to change your regional selections if you wish. Read more about our placement process.
Make an Impact in Nashville-Chattanooga
As a corps member in the Nashville-Chattanooga region, you’ll join a community of innovative educators passionate about creating opportunities for kids in Tennessee. TFA’s regional network includes more than 1,000 people, including 500 corps members, alumni teachers, and 26 public school principals.
TFA has a real presence in both cities. TFA corps members and alumni work in schools in which one in four Metro Nashville students attend. In Chattanooga, Teach For America teachers represent 10 percent of the total teaching body in one of the highest-needs schools in the district.
As part of this network, you’ll work to meaningfully expand opportunities for students, using your background and leadership skills to drive students to academic success and transform lives.