Becoming Certified to Teach

Unless you already have a valid teaching certificate, you will apply for the Arizona Intern Teaching Certificate. There are five (and potentially six) requirements needed to apply for this certificate*:

1. Enrollment in a teacher certification program (ASU Masters of Education or Teacher certification)
2. Official degree-conferred transcripts from an undergraduate institution
3. Passing score on your required NES content exam OR degree in a corresponding major
4. IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card
5. Check or money order for $60-120, made out to the Arizona Department of Education
6. Structured English Endorsement certificate (only for corps members who will be teaching in ELL/ESL placements)

*The costs for these requirements, not including certification program enrollment, range from $450-$725. IVP ($67) application fee will be paid by Teach For America Phoenix.

The summer before you begin teaching, Teach For America hosts a four-week, in-person practicum in Phoenix, which takes place from approximately mid-June through the second week of July.

Do I need to enroll in a certification program during my two-year commitment?

Yes. Unless you already have a valid teaching certificate, corps members must enroll in Arizona State University’s Masters or Graduate Certificate programs.

Will I receive a full salary and benefits while on the Arizona Intern Teaching Certificate?

Yes, you will receive full salary and benefits. You will be a full-time employee at your school beginning in August.

Graduate School

Can I get a master’s degree in education during my two years in the corps?

Yes, Teach For America Phoenix partners with Arizona State University’s Mary Lou Fulton Teacher’s College. Through this partnership, Phoenix corps members can enroll in the Mary Lou Fulton Teacher’s College Masters program, take online classes (synchronous and asynchronous), and receive a tuition discount. The corps member cost for the entire master's degree is a flat rate of $12,000

Is there a non-master’s degree option for obtaining certification?

Yes. Teach For America Phoenix partners exclusively with Arizona State University for BOTH the master's and graduate certificate programs. The graduate certificate is offered to Teach For America corp members for a flat rate of $9,000.

TFA Training

The summer before you begin teaching, Teach For America hosts a six-week training institute in Phoenix, which takes place from approximately the last week of May through the second week of July.

During this training, you will have the opportunity to build foundational teaching skills, with a focus on classroom management and culture, building positive relationships with students, planning and executing objective-driven lessons, adjusting instruction based on ongoing data, and operating with cultural competence. You will do this through teaching students at a locally run summer school, attending professional development sessions led by Teach For America alumni educators and Arizona State University professors, and meeting individually with a teaching coach. You will also build connections with other corps members, the Phoenix community, and the broader TFA movement. Corps members enrolled in Arizona State University’s Master's or teaching certificate program will receive course credit towards their master's degree for completion of Teach For America’s institute.

Coaches

You will be matched with a Teacher Leadership Coach, or TLC, who will support your development throughout your two-year commitment. The Phoenix TLCs are:

• Rita Jensen
• Katie Mason Smith
• Meg McCormick-Ugalino
• Adam Morale

TLCs will support you by:

•  Connecting you to resources which will help you to maintain wellness and resilience while teaching.