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Teach for America

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Teach for America reviews

3.8

75% would recommend to a friend

(1,870 total reviews)

Elisa Villanueva Beard

84% approve of CEO

60% positive business outlook

Teach for America has an employee rating of 3.8 out of 5 stars, based on 1,870 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The Teach for America employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Educación industry (3.7 stars).

Reviews by job title

2K reviews
2.0
Apr 12, 2015

Good benefits, long hours

Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Benefits, work location flexibility, working towards a cause that matters

Cons

Hypocritical environment - say they aren't hierarchical but everything depends on your status. Long hours and you won't do the job you're hired for - well, not ONLY the job you're hired for anyway. Each person ends up doing what seems like 2-3 jobs, especially the lower you are on the totem poll.

4.0
Mar 24, 2015

Intense and constantly changing

Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

bright people, personal and organizational values are part of the conversation, never gets boring, encourages learning, lots of feedback, most folks are nice, great place to work for 20- and 30-somethings, strong female leadership everywhere, still has the start-up vibe 25 years later

Cons

folks are intense in a way that doesn't necessarily lead to increased productivity or innovation, the hiring profile is seriously type-A even though the mission is shifting towards listening and valuing collaboration, corporate feel and approach (could also be a plus depending on who you are), while diversity gets a lot of attention the white & middle class culture remains dominant, re-orgs happen every year or so, high results are expected with bare bones headcount, still has the start-up vibe 25 years later

3.0
Mar 18, 2015
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Likely the smartest people with which I've worked. Ever. These people believe whole-heartedly in doing what's right for kids, and it drives so many of them to work themselves to the bone. It's a well-established, well-funded non-profit (for better or for worse), and it operates like a corporation on many levels. Benefits are really solid for a non-profit. Incredibly cheap healthcare options, great 403b with 5% match after 1 year (and immediately vested) and an extremely generous time off policy with the ability to roll over unused days (because, let's face it, many people don't end up taking them). Office spaces are well-designed, and provide for easy collaboration with colleagues.

Cons

Be prepared to be second-guessed with everything you do. Everyone gets to give feedback at TFA, even if they really don't need to have an opinion. It causes unnecessary holdups in processes, and you'll encounter delays upon delays in getting things done just so more people can give their two cents. Even though one of the organization's core values is Leadership, everyone doubts that exact quality in each other as it relates to their ability to make solid decisions. It's a classic case of an company that believes everyone is a jack of all trades, masters of none. Major issue with their "personal-professional alignment." Everyone will say they respect it, but they also expect you to answer emails at midnight. When you call them out on it, it's not received well. Promotions are a double-edged sword at TFA, and they often go to those that are part of the echo chamber. Fall in line, or be prepared to be a part of middle management for years to come.

Viewing 10 - 12 of 1,870 Reviews

Glassdoor has 2,067 Teach for America reviews submitted anonymously by Teach for America employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if Teach for America is right for you.