why teach for america · why teach for america? ... Dominique Lee, Greater Newark Corps ’07 ......
Transcript of why teach for america · why teach for america? ... Dominique Lee, Greater Newark Corps ’07 ......
WhyTeach For America
Lifelong Leaders
Where We Work
How to Apply
Who We Look For
Training and Professional Development
Compensation and Benefits
WhyTeach For America
Lifelong Leaders
Where We Work
How to Apply
Who We Look For
Training and Professional Development
Compensation and Benefits
whyteach for america
why teach for america?
A great education for all will create a great future for all. All kids deserve the chance to reach their full
potential—but today, only 8 percent of students growing up in poverty graduate from college by the
time they’re 24, compared with 80 percent of students in more affluent areas. This limits life options,
affects families and communities, and has significant social and economic implications for our country.
Teach For America is building the national movement to change this. We know it’s possible to give all kids a great education and the
countless opportunities that come with it. By teaching for two years in Teach For America’s corps, you will join thousands of
leaders helping students in low-income communities to make the academic progress that will expand their opportunities for the
future. You’ll develop the leadership skills, insights, and commitment that will drive you to be a lifelong advocate for kids. And
you’ll build relationships with fellow corps members and others in your community working to meet this challenge.
“Educational opportunities change lives. If we don’t take responsibility for the education of our most
vulnerable communities, we will lose out on the great potential of our students in the future.”
Kelly Funk, Mississippi Delta Corps ‘11 | Purdue University | Before the Corps: Indiana House of Representatives, Democratic Caucus Fiscal Policy Intern
“Being a corps member is humbling. Every day we are fighting for our students.
It’s not about us, but about creating opportunities for the next generation.”
Marissa Alberty, Oklahoma Corps ’10 | University of Oklahoma
WhyTeach For America
Lifelong Leaders
Where We Work
How to Apply
Who We Look For
Training and Professional Development
Compensation and Benefits
WhyTeach For America
Lifelong Leaders
Where We Work
How to Apply
Who We Look For
Training and Professional Development
Compensation and Benefits
who welook for
who we look for
Our approach to selecting corps members is based on our commitment to student success. We continuously study our teachers to identify the
characteristics of those whose students have made the most progress. We’ve discovered that their most distinguishing characteristics are:
• A deep belief in the potential of all kids and a commitment to do whatever it takes to expand opportunities for students
• Demonstrated leadership ability and superior interpersonal skills to motivate others
• Strong achievement in academic, professional, extracurricular, and volunteer settings
• Perseverance in the face of challenges, ability to adapt to changing environments, and a strong desire to do whatever is necessary to improve and develop
• Excellent critical thinking skills, including the ability to accurately link cause and effect and to generate relevant solutions to problems
• Superior organizational ability, including planning well and managing responsibilities effectively
• Respect for individuals’ diverse experiences and the ability to work effectively with people from a variety of backgrounds
WhyTeach For America
Lifelong Leaders
Where We Work
How to Apply
Who We Look For
Training and Professional Development
Compensation and Benefits
WhyTeach For America
Lifelong Leaders
Where We Work
How to Apply
Who We Look For
Training and Professional Development
Compensation and Benefits
wherewe work
where we work
Corps members and alumni teach grades pre-K through 12 in 46 urban and rural regions across the country,
reflecting the tremendous scope of the challenge our nation faces. Openness to teaching in a variety of communities,
subjects, and grade levels will give you the opportunity to work with students who need you most.
WhyTeach For America
Lifelong Leaders
Where We Work
How to Apply
Who We Look For
Training and Professional Development
Compensation and Benefits
WhyTeach For America
Lifelong Leaders
Where We Work
How to Apply
Who We Look For
Training and Professional Development
Compensation and Benefits
how toapply
how to apply
Applicants must submit an online application by one of the deadlines below. Subsequent rounds of the admissions
process include a phone interview, an online activity, and an in-person interview. Applications are nonbinding.
Prerequisites:
Bachelor’s degree by June 2013 with a 2.5 minimum undergraduate GPA* U.S. citizenship or national/permanent resident status**
*The GPA requirement is mandated by the school districts and credentialing programs with which we work.
**If you are an international student, you may be eligible to teach in your home country through Teach For All, the global network for expanding educational opportunity. For more information, contact [email protected]
***A comprehensive list of steps in the admissions process can be found on our website at teachforamerica.org
first DeaDline
Aug. 24, 2012
Aug. 30 - Sept. 6
seconD DeaDline
Sept. 14, 2012
Sept. 20 - 25
thirD DeaDline
Nov. 2, 2012
Nov. 8 - 13
Nov. 10 - 14
Dec. 3 - 6
Jan. 7 - 18
fourth DeaDline
Jan. 11, 2013
Jan. 17 - 23
Jan. 24 - 28
Feb. 25 - March 1
March 14 - 28
fifth DeaDline
Feb. 15, 2013
Feb. 26 - March 5
March 8 - 13
April 1 - 5
April 18 - May 1
steps***
Apply online
If invited, complete online activity
If invited, complete
30-minute phone interview
If invited, complete final interview
If admitted, learn about
your assignment and accept
or decline our offer
Sept. 21 - 26
Oct. 15 - 19
Nov. 1 - 15
WhyTeach For America
Lifelong Leaders
Where We Work
How to Apply
Who We Look For
Training and Professional Development
Compensation and Benefits
WhyTeach For America
Lifelong Leaders
Where We Work
How to Apply
Who We Look For
Training and Professional Development
Compensation and Benefits
training anD professional Development
training anD professional Development
The students we teach are often far behind their peers in more affluent communities. In order to create the dramatic
change that is necessary for our students to reach their full potential, corps members must be more than just effective
teachers. Through years of studying the habits, beliefs, and actions of teachers who have succeeded in putting their students
on a different life path, we have learned that they employ principles used by great leaders in all circumstances. This
philosophy is the basis for the Teaching As Leadership framework, the foundation of our training and support program.
Succeeding as a new teacher is extraordinarily challenging, but you will not face this challenge alone. All corps
members attend a rigorous pre-corps training institute, receive one-on-one coaching and professional development
throughout their two years, and have access to thousands of online resources. Corps members who take responsibility
for their own development and maximize these resources and their support network of fellow corps members,
alumni, and staff show the most growth in their leadership abilities both inside and outside of the classroom.
“Being a corps member has allowed me to become the leader that I have always wanted
to become, but more importantly, the leader that my students need me to become.”
Maingold Chhim, Detroit Corps ’10 | University of California, Los Angeles
Pre-instituteindependent work Summer training institute
Coaching, professional development, and support during the corps
Regional Induction Regional Orientation Career and leadership development resources for alumni
WhyTeach For America
Lifelong Leaders
Where We Work
How to Apply
Who We Look For
Training and Professional Development
Compensation and Benefits
WhyTeach For America
Lifelong Leaders
Where We Work
How to Apply
Who We Look For
Training and Professional Development
Compensation and Benefits
compensation anD
benefits
compensation anD benefits
Corps members are full-time teachers employed by their school districts. They receive full salaries and the same comprehensive
health benefits as other beginning teachers. Additional benefits, such as funding for relocation, testing, and start-up costs and help
with student loans, are available to ease your transition and support your financial stability. We recognize that personal finances
can vary widely from person to person. Visit our website to learn more about compensation and costs in our 46 regions.
snapshot of corps member compensation
*Teach For America is currently a member of AmeriCorps. Given the nature of the AmeriCorps competitive grant process and the dependence on Congressional
funding cycles, we cannot guarantee these benefits for corps members serving during the 2013-2014 school year until receiving final confirmation in June 2013.
Recent changes in national service laws may result in an adjustment to the education award for the 2013-2014 year. Per regulations, the AmeriCorps education
award and interest accrual payments are considered to be taxable income for the year they are used. Most corps members use their AmeriCorps awards to
cover the costs of coursework required to obtain their teaching certification. For more details, review the cost comparison tools on our website.
• Salary
• Health insurance
• Retirement benefits
• Educator discounts
• Money for relocation and transition
• AmeriCorps education award of up to $11,100*
• Federal loan forbearance and interest paid for two years
• Exclusive scholarships and benefits from graduate schools and employers
WhyTeach For America
Lifelong Leaders
Where We Work
How to Apply
Who We Look For
Training and Professional Development
Compensation and Benefits
WhyTeach For America
Lifelong Leaders
Where We Work
How to Apply
Who We Look For
Training and Professional Development
Compensation and Benefits
lifelongleaDers
WhyTeach For America
Lifelong Leaders
Where We Work
How to Apply
Who We Look For
Training and Professional Development
Compensation and Benefits
lifelong leaDers
Providing a great education to all students will require much more than bringing great leaders into classrooms for two years. We need our
alumni to continue throughout their lives as active members of the movement to expand educational opportunity. Teach For America alumni
are part of a network of leaders who support each other personally and professionally throughout their careers as they advocate for kids.
Whether you choose to remain in education or pursue a career in another field, your corps experience will expand your
options and your ability to make an impact on this critical issue. Nearly 28,000 people are part of the Teach For America
alumni network, with access to resources and benefits that foster their leadership and impact after the corps:
“Because of what I saw in the classroom, I started an organization that helps turn around chronically failing
schools. My experience in the corps helped me tremendously in my current position: it taught me about
time management, project planning, community relations, building relationships, and setting goals.”
Dominique Lee, Greater Newark Corps ’07 | Executive Director, Building Responsible Intelligent Creative Kids (BRICK) | University of Michigan
Career and Leadership Center
Alumni have access to online career resources, including alumni mentors, newsletters, discussion groups,
webinars, resume drives, interview-preparation tools, self-assessments, and a robust job board.
Alumni Leadership Initiatives
While we have resources to support our alumni in all sectors, we focus many of our career resources and
partnerships in fields that have a direct impact on the achievement gap. These include Board Leadership,
School Leadership, Teacher Leadership, and Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
WhyTeach For America
Lifelong Leaders
Where We Work
How to Apply
Who We Look For
Training and Professional Development
Compensation and Benefits
lifelong leaDers
Leadership for Educational Equity
Teach For America’s partner organization LEE helps alumni to pursue careers in policy and advocacy and to
serve in elected office, and connects them to education-policy issues in their communities.
Regional Alumni Support
In many of our regions, staff members meet with alumni, host events, and develop strategic partnerships
to connect alumni with one another and support their career and civic goals.
Graduate School and Employer Partnerships
Hundreds of graduate-school and employer partners value the corps experience and offer special benefits to Teach For
America corps members and alumni. These include two-year deferrals, scholarships, internships, and career mentoring.
Connections to Our Mission
Alumni summits, our One Day magazine, and volunteer opportunities help alumni deepen their
knowledge of and engagement with education issues and the Teach For America network.
“The disparities I saw during the corps went beyond education to health care and nutrition. I had
students who were frequently absent due to inadequate medical treatment. I was struck by the idea
of all of this lost potential; I decided the best way I could work to restore it was in the medical realm.”
Jonathan Brenner, New York Corps ’06 | Pediatrician | State University of New York, Downstate, M.D.; Johns Hopkins M.P.H. | Northwestern University