Nevada
About Us
Teach For America is a leadership development organization dedicated to co-creating a more just world alongside young people in their communities. In Nevada, we benefit from a robust alumni network of over 800 teachers, school leaders, advocates, non-profit founders, and systems leaders committed to transforming educational outcomes and reimagining what is possible in education.
While Las Vegas is often associated with bright lights and entertainment, there’s a different narrative that highlights the pressing challenges our students face. More than half of students in Las Vegas and the surrounding area attend Title I schools and qualify for free and reduced-price lunch—a clear indicator of the economic hardships many families endure. Nevada also has the lowest percentage of children enrolled in early childhood programs and has struggled with low high school graduation rates for African American, Latino, Special Education, and English Language Learner students. These challenges present an urgent opportunity for transformative change.
Together with parents, educators, and community leaders, we are innovating solutions to strengthen the education system, recognizing that education is the key to greater opportunities in college and beyond. As we work to tackle these disparities, we invite you to join our broader national alumni network of nearly 70,000 leaders who are dedicated to expanding educational opportunities and creating a better future for all children in Nevada and beyond.
There are
81
corps members teaching in the 2022-23 school year.
And more than
50
partner schools we work with in Nevada.
And over
660
alumni living and working in our region.
Living Here
Corps members have the freedom to live anywhere in the Las Vegas Valley. Many choose to live near their school sites in North Las Vegas, east Las Vegas, or downtown Las Vegas, while other choose to commute from Henderson and Summerlin.
Las Vegas is more than it seems, and while the world-famous Strip offers plenty of exciting things to do, you’ll also have the opportunity to get to know the close-knit and growing community. You can join corps members, alumni, and school and business leaders at community dinners where people often build lasting friendships, or take part in live and virtual education town halls where challenging topics are discussed and resolved. Living in Las Vegas truly means having the best of both worlds—the amenities of a world-class city and the comforts and camaraderie of a small town.
Las Vegas is part of the beautiful Mojave Desert, which offers stunning landscapes and views. Spend time hiking mountains, including Red Rock Canyon and Mount Charleston, or horseback riding, snowboarding, and mountain biking. At the same time, Las Vegas remains a destination for people from around the world because of the fantastic restaurants, live shows, and entertainment.
Getting Certified to Teach
TFA Nevada has a mandatory certification pathway with the University of Nevada Las Vegas (1-2 years) and the option to pursue a Master's degree.
Total certification costs approximately $12,000. Up-front certification costs include:
- Degree-conferred transcript (2 copies): $0 - $75
- UNLV Application Fee: $60
- Background Check: $60
- License Application Fee: $180
Eligible subject areas:
- Elementary
- Early childhood education
- Special education
- Secondary Math, English
Total Tuition: approximately $12,000 with the opportunity for multiple grants and scholarships to minimize costs
Out-of-pocket costs with AmeriCorps Award: $0
*Tuition must be paid upfront, but corps members can apply AmeriCorps funding to qualified loans once they've received these funds following each year of successful completion in the corps.
Eligible subject areas:
- Elementary
- Early childhood education
- Special education
- Secondary Math, English, Science
Total Tuition: approximately $12,000 with the opportunity for multiple grants and scholarships to minimize costs
Out-of-pocket costs with AmeriCorps Award: $0
*Tuition must be paid upfront, but corps members can apply AmeriCorps funding to qualified loans once they've received these funds following each year of successful completion in the corps.
Many corps members use their AmeriCorps Education Award to help offset out-of-pocket costs for certification. For 2025, this award is anticipated to be $7,395. Additional grants through our university and state exist to potentially cover the full cost of certification.
Local Leadership
Tim Hughes
Executive Director
Teach For America Nevada
As a third-generation Nevadan, graduate of the Clark County School District, alumnus of Teach For America, elected member of the State Board of Education, and nonprofit leader, Tim Hughes brings a wealth of experience to his role as Teach For America Nevada's incoming Executive Director.
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Thank you for reimagining learning, expanding opportunities, and inspiring systemic change. Our kids are counting on us.