Special Teach For America Placements: What Makes Them Unique?

what constitutes a special circumstance teach for america placement

Teach For America offers placements to eligible applicants in regions across the United States. Applicants are allowed to select one to three regions of interest, and placements are made based on factors such as regional preferences, availability of teaching positions, subject and grade-level needs, and hiring requirements. While Teach For America generally expects applicants to commit to their offers within a short timeframe, special circumstances may be considered for extensions or specific region placements. These special circumstances are assessed by the Assignment Team, who review all special requests and work with applicants to meet their needs.

Characteristics Values
Regional selections Candidates can select one region and up to two alternative regions
Placement Placement is based on the availability of teaching positions, subject and grade-level needs, and hiring requirements
Eligibility Applicants must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university by the first day of summer training
Visa status Applicants cannot apply if they are in the United States with a student, exchange, work, or tourist visa
Application process Applicants must complete an online application, attend an interview, and select their region
Special circumstances Applicants with special circumstances can indicate their preferred region and any details that might make relocation difficult

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Special circumstances form and regional preferences

If you have special circumstances that require you to be placed in a specific region, you should list this region on your Special Circumstances page. Teach for America's Assignment Team reviews all special requests and considers your circumstances when making assignments.

You will complete the special circumstances form if you are invited to an interview, where you can indicate the region you need to be placed in and any details about your circumstances that might make it difficult to relocate. The Assignment Team will work with you to try and meet your needs, although they are limited by the needs of your preferred region and what you are eligible to teach.

It is important to note that your regional selections do not impact your chance of acceptance. You can select one region that you want to apply to most, with the option to select one or two alternate regions that interest you. You can also change your regional selections after your interview if needed. If you get an offer to join Teach For America, it will be from one of the regions you chose.

Additionally, if you have a special circumstance and need more time to consider your offer, you will need to discuss this with your regional contact.

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Eligibility criteria and requirements

To be eligible for placement in a specific region, Teach for America recommends first verifying that the location where you need to be is within a reasonable commute to one of their placement communities. Assuming you are eligible for placement in that region, Teach for America will do their best to ensure that you won't have to relocate.

If you are invited to an interview, you will complete the special circumstances form, where you can indicate the region you need to be placed in and any details about your circumstances that might make it difficult to relocate. The Assignment Team will consider your circumstances when making their decision, although they are limited by the needs of your preferred region and what you are eligible to teach.

To be eligible to apply to Teach for America, you must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university by the first day of your summer training. Some regions specify an earlier date by which you need to have your degree. There are some exceptions to this policy if you have documents proving you have fulfilled your graduation requirements but don't yet have your degree.

Additionally, you are not eligible to apply if you are in the United States with a student visa, exchange visa, work visa, or tourist visa. If invited to join the corps, you will need to provide legal documentation that verifies your identity and citizenship status. If you do not meet this requirement, you may be eligible to join one of Teach for America's partner programs through Teach For All.

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Placement considerations and factors

Teach For America (TFA) considers several key factors when determining the placement of its corps members. Firstly, they take into account the regional selections and preferences of the applicants. Applicants are allowed to choose one to three regions they prefer to be placed in, and they can also indicate one or two alternate regions. TFA understands that choosing where to be placed is essential, and they aim to give corps members enough time to prepare for the transition to their assigned location.

Another factor is the availability of teaching positions across the nation for the upcoming school year. TFA also considers the subject and grade-level needs of their school and district partners. The hiring requirements, including undergraduate coursework credits and regional certification requirements, also play a role in placement decisions.

In certain cases, applicants may have special circumstances that require them to be placed in a specific region. TFA allows applicants to list these special circumstances on their Special Circumstances page or form. The Assignment Team reviews all special requests and considers these circumstances when making placements. However, TFA notes that they are sometimes limited by the needs of the preferred region and the applicant's eligibility to teach in that region.

It is important to note that applicants can only apply to TFA once during an admissions year. They are, however, welcome to reapply during subsequent admissions years. TFA also mentions that they do not usually offer extensions to consider an offer, but special circumstances may be considered, and applicants can discuss this with their regional contact.

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Application process and timeline

To apply for Teach For America, you must satisfy three prerequisites: a bachelor's degree, a minimum cumulative GPA, and citizenship, national/legal resident status, or eligible Employment Authorization Document (EAD) holder status. You must also have your bachelor's degree by the start of summer training, which is typically in June, but this can vary by region.

The application process consists of a brief online application and an interview. The online application requires you to convey basic information, upload documents, and share your experiences through 300-400 word reflections. You can also submit a simple resume and a short-answer essay. If you are invited to an interview, you will complete a special circumstances form, where you can indicate your preferred region and any details about your circumstances that might make it difficult to relocate.

Teach For America has aligned its deadline windows with important campus events and other employers' timelines, so you can make an informed decision. You will have ample time and support to determine which of the 53 regions is right for you. You can select your top region and one or two alternatives. Your regional selections do not impact your chance of acceptance.

After your interview, you will receive your regional and subject assignment about two weeks after finalizing your regional selections. You will then have about two weeks to consider and accept your offer. You will receive your acceptance, placement, and subject notification through email and the applicant center. If admitted, you will receive your offer for location at the same time as your admissions decision. You will then have around 10 days to make your decision about accepting your offer.

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Benefits and support for corps members

Teach For America offers a range of benefits and support for its corps members. Firstly, in terms of placement, corps members are given the opportunity to choose their preferred regions during the application process, and Teach For America strives to accommodate these preferences. While the availability of teaching positions and subject and grade-level needs of school districts are also considered, Teach For America aims to ensure that corps members do not have to relocate if possible.

Corps members also receive salaries ranging from approximately $33,000 to $72,000 per year, along with vacation and health benefits provided by their school district. The organization emphasizes the meaningful impact that corps members will have on children's lives, the relationships they will build, and the skills they will gain that can be applied to leadership roles.

Additionally, Teach For America provides comprehensive support for its corps members throughout their teaching journey. This includes guidance during the hiring process, assistance with settling into their new community before their first day of school, and ongoing development opportunities to enhance their leadership skills and systems thinking. The organization also values the connections formed between corps members, fostering a collaborative alumni network that provides a sense of community and lasting relationships.

During the application process, Teach For America offers flexibility with application windows and the option to change regional selections after the interview. The organization also considers special circumstances, such as providing extensions for accepting offers and accommodating specific region requests if feasible. Overall, Teach For America is committed to supporting its corps members and ensuring their success in the classroom and beyond.

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Frequently asked questions

Teach for America considers special circumstances when assigning placements, such as the need to remain in a specific region due to personal or family reasons.

During the application process, you will complete a special circumstances form, where you can specify your preferred region and any details that may make relocation difficult.

The Assignment Team at Teach for America will review your request and consider your circumstances when making their placement decision. They will work with you to meet your needs while also balancing the needs of your preferred region and your eligibility to teach there.

Yes, you can change your regional selections after your interview if needed. You can also indicate your preferred regions on your Special Circumstances page.

Yes, you must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university by the first day of summer training. Additionally, you must provide legal documentation verifying your identity and citizenship status.

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