Do you feel inspired to make a difference in society? Do you want to play a part in molding the world into a better place? Do you have it in you to be a mentor to children denied of opportunities and help lift them up?
If you answered yes to any of the above questions then Teach For America (TFA) might just be the right platform for you. Education is pivotal in building a good society and yet so many people are denied access to proper schooling.
Children from low-income families are the most affected and here is where Teach For America comes in. Up next we’re going to look into the difference they are making with children and we’re going to tell you how you can get involved.
A Career With Teach for America
According to a study of the National Centre of Education Statistics (NCES) conducted in 2018, students from low-income families drop out of school at twice of upper and high-income families.
Some 1.3 million students drop out of high school, more than half of which are students of color and in low-income groups. TFA works to reach these students by giving them equal opportunities and educational facilities.
Bridging the Gap
Children from disenfranchised communities lack the proper facilities for education. Such communities are the main focus of TFA, which strives to take the best of education to these children.
They work to bridge the gap between the haves and have-nots in an attempt to make education free and easily available to all.
Teach For America Corps
By joining the TFA Corps for a two-year internship you can collaborate with local schools, other educators, and the community as a whole to bring education to low-income students.
To join the TFA Corps as a teacher you will need to have a bachelor’s degree, a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 and you must be a U.S. Citizen or legal resident. If you are interested in being a part of this movement you can apply online at the TFA website.
Teach For America Alumni
After finishing the two years in the corps, many individuals decide to remain with TFA, joining as the alumni and staff members. There are many staff jobs available at TFA across its various departments.
Jobs include those in communications, development, finance, marketing, recruitment, and others. If you want to apply for a job as a staff member with the TFA, you can browse through the present vacancies to find something suitable.
A Life-Long Commitment
TFA expects you to have a lifelong commitment to eliminating injustice in society. Whether you work in the corps, join the alumni or staff or move on to pursue another career, your commitment must remain undeterred.
Individuals go on to champion the rights and aspirations of students and families as educators, advocates, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and community members.
Salaries and Benefits
Teachers working in the TFA Corps earn a salary anything between $33,000 to $58,000, depending on the region.
TFA also offers various benefits like making you eligible to get federal funding to pay off your student loans and education awards upon completing your first year with the corps, which is typically between $5300 to $6100.
Staff members with the TFA receive salaries that are competitive with salaries paid for the same jobs in different industries.
Takeaway
TFA provides a great opportunity for individuals who are driven to bring about a change in the world.
By reaching out to children in low-income communities, you can come into their life as a mentor, a hope-giver, someone who believes in their aspirations and is ready to go that extra mile to help them fulfill their dreams.