Connecticut

Almost everyone is surprised to learn about the size of Connecticut’s achievement gap. In a state known for its tremendous wealth, the heartbreakingly low achievement of students in urban pockets of poverty is shocking. However, the conditions that make this achievement gap so embarrassing also make the prospect of eliminating it entirely feasible. The tangibility of seeing this state move from having the largest achievement gap in the nation to true educational equity, in a matter of years, not decades, fuels a growing movement of education reform and drives the work of a corps committed to being a part of that change.

Quick Stats
Site Since: 2006
Corps Size: 160
Average summer temperature: 72° Average winter temperature: 28°
Car: Access to car is essential

Beginning Teacher Salary : $38,000 (Hartford); $39,000 (New Haven); $42,000 (Bridgeport); $42,000 (Stamford)

Life

Life in Connecticut offers corps members both the vibrancy of a metropolitan area and the distinct pleasures of small-town New England. Residents enjoy exceptional restaurants and unique activities, with legendary pizza and apple-picking as particular specialties. In addition, with New York City and Boston easily accessible by train, even more is just steps away.

Teach For America currently places corps members in Bridgeport, Hartford, New Haven and Stamford schools with nearly half the corps serving Hartford Public School and living in the greater Hartford area. Those in the southern half of the state teach in New Haven, Bridgeport and Stamford.

Regardless of where in the state corps members reside, all enjoy easy access to the many cultural events, sporting activities and academic resources throughout the state, as well as in Boston and New York City.

Corps Culture

Given the current opportunities and challenges in educational reform, being a part of the Connecticut education system right now is very special. The Teach For America • Connecticut corps, now in its fourth year of operation, is 160 strong, working in over 70 schools and reaching over 9,000 (out of approximately 120,000) students from low-income communities.

Connecticut corps members come together often throughout the year for professional development opportunities, including monthly regional conferences, Learning Team sessions, need-based workshops, and biweekly support dinners for first year corps members . Outside the structures of the regional program, corps members regularly plan together, share teaching strategies and serve as each other’s primary source of support. Corps members also come together regularly for social events including happy hours, BBQs, bowling leagues, holiday parties, intramural sports, community service projects, and state explorations.