Baltimore

As a relatively small city of just over 630,000 residents, Baltimore offers corps members and alumni the opportunity to make a major impact in urban education reform. In 2009, corps members made up 32 percent of all new teacher hires in Baltimore County Public Schools – a percentage that affirms Teach For America’s place as a major player in the city’s reform movement. Teach For America’s 17-year history in Baltimore lends corps members the credibility necessary to quickly become leaders in their schools.

Quick Stats
Site Since: 1991
Corps Size: 244
Average summer temperature: 86 ° Average winter temperature: 42 °
Car: Access to car is preferable; public transportation also available

Beginning teacher's salary : $44,280

The schools superintendent is a reform-minded champion of Teach For America, and has repeatedly asked the Baltimore region to grow its corps size. The fruits of those reforms can be seen in real time: over the past year, school enrollment, graduation rates and test scores have all risen. In 2009, the city was removed from a state list of failing systems.

Life

Baltimore ranks third on MSN’s 2009 list of “Top Cities for New Grads,” thanks in part to its high concentration of young adults and low rents. As a smaller city, Baltimore offers the advantages of city life with a neighborhood feel. Baltimore corps members live in row homes, apartments and lofts in various eclectic neighborhoods throughout the city, each with its own unique personality.

• In Charles Village, corps members can rent Victorian row homes, often shared by several corps member. These homes feature front porches and small backyards in walking distance to grocery stores, restaurants, bars and coffee shops.
• Mount Vernon, a National Historic District and once home to Baltimore’s high society, now features an independent theatre district and many nightlife options.
• Federal Hill, located just beyond Baltimore’s famed Inner Harbor, is home to the city's aquarium and science center, and is in walking distance to Camden Yards and Ravens’ Stadium.

Corps Culture

The Baltimore region has a tradition of fostering a close-knit community with a very strong corps culture. The phrase “One Cause, One Corps!” - the region’s call to arms - can often be heard arising from an All Corps’ event in Baltimore.

• Corps members have formed buddy programs to help plan and prepare for classroom instruction and provide additional support for first-year corps members.
• “Corps ambassadors,” a group of first and second year corps members, act as liaisons with the regional office organizing social events including a boat cruise around the Baltimore harbor and an end-of-year celebration for first-year corps members.

Because the Baltimore corps culture is so strong, the region is also home to a highly active alumni base of more than 430. Many alums from other regions have matriculated to Baltimore to become principals and school leaders.

• 180 Teach For America alumni live in Baltimore and work in the field of education.
• 14 alums are school leaders in Baltimore, serving as principals, assistant principals or key administrators for the school district, including the deputy chief of staff for the BCPS superintendent.