Teach For America (TFA) is an organization aimed at ensuring every young person has access to a relevant, engaging education and the autonomy to design their future. It emphasizes the potential power of young people, and works to cultivate transformational relationships between students and leaders. TFA carries out this mission through a variety of dedicated programs tailored to benefit both the young students and educators alike.
One of their central programs is the Teacher Corps. Applicants have until October 30th to apply for full-time employment from a school or district. This program spearheads leadership development and offers teaching certification. It involves a minimum commitment of two years, offering a full salary and benefits in return. There is some flexibility in terms of location, with nearly 40 regions to choose from.
Furthermore, TFA also offers the Ignite Fellowship. This part-time, paid fellowship focuses on tutoring for elementary reading or middle school math. The fellowship spans for a duration of 10-12 weeks, requiring 3-5 hours of commitment per week. Participants receive a $1,200 award for each term and have the opportunity to gain support from a veteran educator. It should be noted that this fellowship operates virtually, enabling remote work.
Moreover, TFA extends its support beyond the active teaching years, providing dedicated alumni programs. These programs kick in after two years of service in the teacher corps. Alumni have access to a private directory of the organization's vast network, composed of over 61,000 individuals. Along with this, TFA alumni are also privy to exclusive opportunities, events, fellowships, and more. They offer assistance with career-building through their Career Connect platform, and maintain a framework named The Collective for further alignment and collaboration.
Verdict: Teach For America operates as a multi-faceted organization striving to empower young individuals through education. They provide numerous paths for educators and future educators, designed in such a manner that they impart value not only to the students but to the educators as well.
