RISE and Teach For America
RISE works with Teach For America because we share the fundamental belief that effective teachers in low-income communities are the key to closing the achievement gap. Our work supports Teach For America’s long-term impact by connecting former corps members with schools where they can be successful in continuing their commitment to helping all students achieve.
5 Reasons Teach For America Alumni Use RISE
1. Quality Schools: Leadership matters. Schools on the RISE Network outscored similar schools nationally in Teaching Conditions Survey results.
“The schools listed on RISE were the kinds of schools I wanted to be working in…My new school is phenomenal. The administration is incredibly supportive, teachers are very empowered, and there’s so much collaboration.”
-Jenny (Ohlson) Kellard, Chicago ’05, Kindergarten Teacher
2. Principal Contact: One hour spent applying to RISE can connect you with more than 100 school leaders who share your commitment to educational equity.
“After being accepted on RISE, principals began reaching out to me and, in the end, I had three offers. It made the process of looking for a job in another city quick and simple.”
-Jenny (Ohlson) Kellard, Chicago ’05, Kindergarten Teacher
3. Job-Seeking Support: Our regional Executive Directors help you identify schools that are a good fit for your needs.
“Thank you and the rest of the staff at RISE. You made this process much easier than it could have been.”
-Sam Berg, D.C. ’01, 3rd Grade Teacher
4. Career Development: Many RISE Partner Schools engage teacher leadership and provide opportunities for teachers to achieve professional goals within the school. Eliza Zamor (LA ’00) found a school where she could move towards administration.
“When I decided that I wanted to go back into the classroom, I contacted RISE because I was looking for a teacher/leadership position…” Read more about Eliza’s experience below.
5. Job Seeking while Moving: Because the RISE application and Network are all online, teachers can connect with a range of schools and principals before their move.
“RISE not only mitigated any employment worries (finding the right school, principal, location), but the Network allowed me to have a job BEFORE I moved to the Bay Area.”
-Michael Mahdi, Miami-Dade ’05, Middle School Science Teacher
RISE-Teach For America School Leadership Case Study:
Eliza Zamor (LA ’00)
Eliza started her teaching career as a seventh grade science teacher for ESL students in South Central LA through Teach For America. In 2003, she found her next teaching position at a RISE Partner School. After a working as a science coach with a non-profit organization, Eliza decided to pursue her goal of leading her own school with the Alliance Charter system. She applied and was accepted into the Ed.D program at USC and turned to RISE to help move in that direction.
"In Spring of 2006, when I decided that I wanted to go back into the classroom, I contacted RISE because I was looking for a teacher/leadership position. I was concerned that I would only be contacted by principals looking for a teacher but not offering other leadership opportunities. The wonderful team at RISE helped note what I was looking for in my RISE profile, and when the principal contacted me, he knew what I was after."
"Since signing on with him not only have I been named as a teacher, but as the science lead at the school, and the curriculum developer for the marine biology program at this and other schools in the Network. The position surpassed my hopes! Simply having RISE as a continual resource is unbelievable. I tell every teacher I know about the program and hope that more and more will sign up. I truly appreciate how RISE looks to keep good teachers in places where they can thrive.”