Our Work in Florida
Our commitment to educational opportunity for all students is at the heart of everything we do at Teach For America in Florida. We are a dynamic force for change, dedicated to ensuring that every student receives an excellent education. With a presence in Jacksonville, Miami-Dade, and Central Florida (serving the Tampa Bay area and Orlando), our impact extends across the diverse and vibrant state of Florida.
Teach For America made its debut in Miami-Dade in 2003, driven by the shared vision of community members who united to demand equal access to quality education for every student. Since then, we have expanded our reach, first to Jacksonville in 2008 and later to the Central Florida regions in 2015. This journey has been marked by our unwavering commitment to transforming the educational landscape and empowering future generations.
Today, we proudly partner with more than 150 schools throughout the state of Florida and have impacted over 400,000 students. Our ever-growing network comprises more than 1,700 corps member teachers and alumni leaders who work tirelessly to bridge educational gaps and uplift the prospects of our students. While we’ve seen remarkable progress and transformative impact since arriving in Florida, our mission is far from complete, and there’s still much work to be done. Our journey continues as we expand our footprint, working in partnership with local communities to ensure improved outcomes for all students across the state.
Join us in our mission to ensure that every student in Florida, regardless of their circumstances, has the opportunity to attain an excellent education. Together, we can make a lasting impact and transform the future of education in the Sunshine State.
Jacksonville:
- In Jacksonville, where southern charm meets coastal allure, Teach For America is more than a hub for exceptional education leaders. It’s a tight-knit, vibrant network of alumni leaders, corps members, and fellows, grounded in our mission to provide all students with an excellent education and a future filled with possibility. Jacksonville offers opportunities to make an impact through the Corps, the One Florida Alumni Educator Fellowship, and the Ignite Fellowship.
Miami-Dade:
- Miami–Dade is a warm and vibrant community, thriving with diversity, culture, and possibility. We are a community of innovative educators, alumni leaders, and fellows who are creating opportunities for all students in Miami-Dade. Miami-Dade offers opportunities to make an impact through the Corps and the One Florida Alumni Educator Fellowship.
Central Florida:
- From the picturesque Gulf Coast to the bustling heart of the Sunshine State, corps members and alumni leaders across Central Florida are shaping a brighter future and fostering positive change for students. Tampa Bay offers opportunities to make an impact through the Corps and the One Florida Alumni Educator Fellowship. Orlando offers opportunities for Teach For America alumni to make an impact through the One Florida Alumni Educator Fellowship.
Teacher Corps Sites
Jacksonville
More than just a source of excellent education leaders, we are a tight-knit, vibrant network grounded in our mission to provide all students with an excellent education and a future filled with opportunities.
Miami-Dade
Miami–Dade is a warm and vibrant community, thriving with diversity, culture, and possibility. We are a community of innovative leaders creating opportunities for all students in Miami-Dade.
Tampa Bay
With a steadfast belief in the power of education to transform lives, we are dedicated to cultivating a diverse network of leaders working to create a brighter future for the Tampa Bay area students.
More than
1600
corps members and alumni across the state
Serving
150+
schools in Florida
Impacting over
400K
students in our state
The One Florida Alumni Educator Fellowship
The One Florida Alumni Educator Fellowship
The One Florida Alumni Educator Fellowship is a two-year development program for courageous and talented alumni leaders in education who will change the trajectory of students in Florida.
By committing to teach and lead in Miami-Dade, Orlando, Jacksonville, or the Tampa Bay area, alumni will embark on a reflective odyssey while deeply impacting the lives of the students and families they encounter.
Through job placement assistance, cohort-based learning, mentorship, coaching, and professional development opportunities, alumni fellows will gain transferable skills that can be utilized for upward mobility within the schoolhouse.
Ignite Fellowship in Florida
Ignite Fellowship in Florida
The Ignite national tutoring corps launched in Jacksonville in 2023 with the goal of expanding to Central Florida and Miami-Dade in the following year.
The program is designed to accelerate learning and foster belonging with students by leveraging research-based best practices for high-impact tutoring.
Ignite builds on Teach For America’s 30-year history and core capabilities by recruiting and developing leaders for educational equity, and deepening partnerships and impact with our existing network of school and local communities.
Teach For America Florida Regions Leadership
LaKeisha Wells-Palmer
Executive Director
Teach For America Florida Regions
LaKeisha Wells-Palmer leads Teach For America's efforts as the Statewide Executive Director of Teach For America regions in Florida. With 22 years of experience in education, she serves as a champion for principals, teachers, and students. She has spent the last 11 years at Teach For America, serving as the Executive Director of Jacksonville, Central Florida, and Miami-Dade following five years leading Jacksonville’s programmatic efforts.