Corps Member Personal Health, Safety,

and Wellness Packet

Table of Contents:
1. Institute Emergency Toolkit for Corps Members
2. Institute Emergency Response Plan
3. Mental Health at Institute One-Pager
4. Corps Member Global Waiver: Assumption of Risk, Release, and
Participation Agreement & Anti-Harassment Policy
5. Corps Member Requirements, Policies, and Procedures
 Copyright © 2012 by Teach For America
No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted
without prior written permission from Teach For America.
 Preparing for Emergencies

School Site University Site

Phone Tree Emergency Messaging
Emergencies Emergencies
Your IMT will create a Follow all instructions Follow any and all Our institute dedicates
phone tree and will given by the school directions provided by a bulletin board as an
communicate this personnel (if students the Director of Institute emergency information
information to you. are present) or Operations (DIO), board. Should an
instructions given by Senior Managing emergency happen,
There will most likely
the school director or Director of Institute check this board and
be a test of this system
other Teach For (SMDI), and first TFANet for up-to-date
at the start of institute,
America staff. responders. information. This
so it is important to
answer phone calls Follow any and all board is located across
Stay together as much
from your school team. instructions by first from the front desk in
as possible.
responders. MSV.
The phone tree will be Staff and CMs should
activated by your IMT Stay together as much follow fire exit signs out of In some cases we may
in times of emergency. as possible. the building and wait for use IIT’s Text Alert
instructions from IIT staff System. Sign up at:
members.
http://www.iit.edu/iital
As a corps member, you may be required to play a role in ensuring the general ert/
welfare and safety of other corps members and/or staff members. If there is an emerg. at
a school site, school
This toolkit is not a substitute for good judgment and common sense; it should district emergency
procedures are in
be used as a supplement when responding to whatever situations may arise.
effect when students
are present. 1
 What should I do in major emergencies?

Call 911 and your DIO

Ensure everyone’s safety, including yours
Remain calm and gather information
Stay until professionals arrive
Stakeholders Phone Number When to loop in
Emergency Number: (312) 606-6363
Campus Police In all major emergencies
Non-Emerg Number: (312) 808-6300
Emergency Number: 911
Local Police In all major emergencies
Non-Emerg Number: 311
In all major/minor emergencies/incidents
Incident Report Phone (917) 715-7381
(e.g. accidents, injuries, sicknesses, absences)

2
 What should I do in these situations?

Minor Injury Possible Communicable Illness

(i.e. twisted ankle, allergic reaction to bug bite, etc.). You must visit a doctor, nurse, health clinic, urgent care or
the ER immediately and obtain a doctor’s note – specifically
If at school site… noting if you are contagious and if so, for how long.
Let your CMA or SD know

If at university site… If you are going to miss any part of institute to visit the doctor
Call your CMA, SD, or the Director, Institute Operations and once you know your diagnosis after being seen…

If you want to visit a nearby hospital or urgent care facility, a

list can be found in the university operations manual

Call the incident report phone to report any and all of the following:
absences to visit medical facilities, and/or for recovering,
and/or to report a minor injury you incurred
(see“Follow Up and Documentation” on the next page for details)

Never hesitate to involve trained
professionals in any situation; it is
their job to respond to emergencies,
big and small
The Institute Management Team will work with you to
determine the best course of action given the diagnosis.*
* Per the corps member Requirements, Policies, and Procedures that you agreed to upon
matriculation, if you miss more than 3 days of institute for any reason, including illness, you
will not be able to complete the requirements of institute needed for you to teach in the fall,
and will therefore need to apply for an emergency release from the corps. 3
 Follow Up and Documentation

National Emergency
Emergency Contacts Incident Report Phone Reporting Child Abuse
Number
Every corps member It is important that If a large-scale emerg. The well-being and
provided two EVERY incident be occurs at institute safety of the children
emergency contacts to recorded in the (e.g. hurricane, we work with is
Teach For America incident log, including earthquake, etc.) a number one priority. If
prior to institute in the all calls to the incident dedicated extension at a CM or staff member
Personal Information report phone. the National Office will suspects a student is
Form. be activated. being abused, s/he has
The number will be
These contacts will be posted on signs around If the number is an obligation to report
notified should a corps campus, as well as on implemented, the IMT that suspicion right
member be involved in page 2 of this toolkit. will alert the institute away to the summer
an emergency community. school staff and
Incidents that may be request that s/he
situation, which may
reported include: theft, The extension will not follow the school
include a physical or
mugging, car accident, be available to receive district protocols for
mental health incident.
illness, injury, or incoming messages responding to such
If you need to update similar. and will have a concerns. In all cases,
your emergency recorded message we follow the abuse
The phone will not be
contacts, reach out to with the most up-to- reporting procedures
answered; messages
your DIO. date information. of our partners.
will be checked
multiple times per day. (212) 279-2080 x84911

4
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AT IIT
Teach For America has worked with IIT to map out a disaster preparedness plan to help assure the safety of
institute participants when there is a threat of tornadoes or severe weather. Severe weather should be taken
seriously, as it can cause serious injury, inflict costly damages to buildings and structures, and disrupt our daily
lives.

IIT TEXT ALERT SYSTEM

Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) has a mass email system that can notify you of emergencies and other
appropriate university announcements. Staff and Corps members are encouraged to also sign up for IIT Alert.
This is a text based service for campus wide emergencies, and you had the opportunity to sign up fro this during
registration, however you can sign up at anytime at: http://www.iit.edu/iitalert/.

IIT EMERGENCY EVACUATION PLAN POSTINGS

To ensure all building occupants (faculty, staff, students and visitors) are able to exit the building in the event
of an emergency, emergency egress plans are to be posted in the following locations:
• All exterior doors
• All dorm room doors
• Classrooms.
• Building laboratories with general access.
The emergency plans will contain the emergency routes as well as the locations of fire extinguishers (in
public/corridor areas), fire alarm pull stations, and user (“you are here”).

IN THE EVENT OF A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM

A severe thunderstorm warning is issued when a severe thunderstorm has been sighted and is approaching our
area. Please take immediate shelter.

Preparing for a Severe Thunderstorm

Downbursts and winds associated with severe thunderstorms can produce 100-150 mph winds. The resulting
damage can equal that of most tornadoes. If a severe thunderstorm warning is issued:
• Take immediate shelter.
• Pay attention to local weather forecasts and bulletins issued by the National Weather Service on local
radio stations or Teach For America staff.
• Shutting off power to all electronic devices is recommended in order to prevent or limit possible
damage.

Lightning and Thunderstorm Safety Tips

Head indoors: The safest place to be during a thunderstorm is indoors. Postpone outdoor activities if
thunderstorms are imminent.

30/30 Rule: Remember the 30/30 Rule.. If you see lightning, count the seconds before you hear thunder. If it's
less than 30 seconds, take cover. Once indoors, wait 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder before venturing
back out.

At the University Site

If you are in a Residence Hall or Campus building:
• Do not use the telephone or any electrical appliance connected to the building's electrical wiring.
• Do not use showers, sinks, or any object, machine, or device connected to the building's plumbing
system. If lightning strikes the building, the current will likely flow through either the electrical wiring
or the water pipes, and you could receive a fatal shock.

2012 Chicago Institute Emergency Response Plan

 • Indoors means indoors. Structures like bus shelters or any small non-metal structures do not provide
sufficient lightning protection.
• If evacuation is necessary, please follow the evacuation procedures located in the University Operations
Manual if you are at Illinois Institute of Technology or those in your School Operations Manual if you are
at your school site

If you are caught outside during a thunderstorm:

• Stay away from tall, isolated objects like trees, flagpoles or posts, and avoid large open areas like fields
or parking lots where you are the highest object.
• Stay away from fences and tents, which could carry current from a distant lightning strike.
• If there is no shelter, crouch down, grab your ankles and bend forward, so that your head is not the
highest part of your body and your head does not touch the ground. Do not lie flat on the ground.
• If lightning is about to strike you or something extremely close, you may experience a tingling feeling on
your skin and/or your hair may stand on end. If this occurs, quickly assume the position described
above.
What to do if someone is struck by lightning:
• Call for help. Call 911 and once emergency services are on the way, call the Illinois Institute of
Technology Campus Safety, 312.606.6363. Get medical attention as quickly as possible.
• Give first aid. If the victim has stopped breathing, begin rescue breathing. If the heart has stopped
beating, a trained person should give CPR. If the person has a pulse and is breathing, address any other
injuries
• Check for burns in two places. The injured person has received an electric shock and may be burned,
both where they were struck and where the electricity left their body. Being struck by lightning can also
cause nervous system damage, broken bones, and loss of hearing or eyesight. People struck by
lightning carry no electrical charge that can shock other people. You can examine them without risk.

At the School Site

If a sever storm should occur while you are at your school site, please follow the individual school’s emergency
protocol and procedures.

IN THE EVENT OF A TORNADO

A tornado watch is when tornadoes are possible in your area. Remain alert and listen for updates. A tornado
warning is issued when a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar; seek shelter immediately.

A. Preparing for a Tornado

• Know your evacuation routes for buildings you are frequently in, such as your dorm and your school
site.
o Buildings have exit signage and directory signage identifying safe areas.
o Evacuation routes from your dorm room can be found on the back of your door.
o It is beneficial to know at least two ways to exit any building you are in.
• Know safe areas in the building to which you can retreat.
o A cement structure with no windows is considered a safe location in the event of a tornado.
o All buildings on campus with the exception of State Street Village, have a basement. This is the
suggested secure location that you should retreat to in case of a tornado.
o Inside State Street Village, you are instructed to seek shelter in your bathroom.
o When at your school site, you should reach out to your school administration to determine the
safest location on your school campus in case of a tornado.
• Keep your vehicle at least half-full of gas at all times.
• Know the location of fire extinguishers, first-aid kits, flashlights and portable radios.
• Keep emergency items nearby (first-aid kit, flashlight, battery-operated portable radio).

2012 Chicago Institute Emergency Response Plan

B. During a Tornado
• Seek Shelter.
o As soon as you become aware of a tornado, seek safe shelter immediately.
o Go to the basement of a building, a bathroom without windows, an interior hallway, closet, or
stairwell.
o If outside, lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression and cover your head with your hands.
o If in your car, get out of the car immediately and take shelter in a nearby building. If there is not
time to get indoors, get out of the car and lie in a ditch or lo-lying area away from the vehicle.
o Avoid windows, exterior walls, and areas with large ceiling spans (gyms, auditoriums).
• Cover your head.
o Get under something sturdy, such as a work bench or heavy table, hold on and stay there until
the danger has passed.
o Use one arm and hand to protect your head and neck from falling or flying objects.
• Remain calm and patient.

C. After a Tornado
• Move carefully after the tornado, watching for items that may have fallen or broken. Put on sturdy shoes
before investigating further to prevent potential injuries from broken glass.
• Call 911 for help.
• If power is out, the emergency campus lighting should illuminate. If available, use a flashlight to
illuminate your path. Do not use candles or open flame as a source of light.
• If you smell gas, leave immediately and call 911 and/or alert Campus Safety on the emergency line at
312.606.6363.
• Teach For America staff will initiate a phone tree if necessary to ensure all institute staff and CMs are
accounted for and medical needs addressed.
• Look for a Campus Safety vehicle or officer if you need assistance or help.
• Call the Non Emergency Public Safety line at 312.808.6300 to report any damage such as flooding toilet,
fire, mass electrical outage, etc. This phone number is answered 24 hours a day, every day.
• Turn on the radio or television to get the latest emergency information:
o AM Radio: 670 (WMAQ), 720 (WGN), 780 (WBBM), 890 (WLS)
o Television: Local channels 2, 5, 7, 9
o National weather service: www.nws.noaa.gov
o Emergency Closing Center: www.emergencyclosings.com

D. Communication
• When at the university campus check the Teach For America bulletin boards and your email for any
updates before and after an emergency
• Please keep your cell phones on and clear in the case that a phone tree is initiated. and your CMA calls
you to confirm your safety.
• At the university site, call public safety at the following phone numbers to report emergencies.
o Public Safety Emergency Number: 312.808.6363
o Public Safety Non-Emergency Number: 312.808.6300
• When at a school site, please follow the instructions of the school officials, and/ or your school director
o Please notify a school site administrator if you encounter an emergency.

IIT FIRE ESCAPE PLAN

If the fire alarm sounds, institute participants MUST immediately exit the residence halls or other campus
building. Do not tamper with the fire alarm control panel, hall boxes, pull stations, smoke detectors, or
electrical conduit – IIT campus security, and designated campus personnel are the only authorized persons to
silence the system. Institute participants must remain outside until an authorized individual gives you
permission to return to the building.

2012 Chicago Institute Emergency Response Plan

Fire escape procedures are posted in all buildings. Individuals should make themselves aware of the closest
exit routine. If the fire alarm sounds, all individuals MUST immediately exit campus buildings and remain 100
feet away from buildings. Everyone should remain outside until an authorized individual gives permission to
return to the building.

IIT LOCK-DOWN OR DISTURBANCES PLAN

In the event of a lock-down or other disturbance, institute participants should go directly to their rooms, lock
doors and windows, lower blinds, turn out the light, and not shout from the windows or doors. The IIT campus
police and residence hall directors will notify the campus of a raid or disturbance and when the danger is over.
In the event of a serious raid or disturbance, the text alert system will be utilized.

INSTITUTE DESIGNATED MEETING LOCATION

In the event that technology systems are down after an emergency, you should report to our designated meeting
location on campus. The designated meeting location is located on Wabash Avenue in the busing lane. You
should report to the location where your bus picks you up every morning and report to your CMA so that we can
account for everyone’s well being.

2012 Chicago Institute Emergency Response Plan

Mental Health at Institute
All corps members should carry this handout with them in an easily accessible place throughout institute.

Resources Available During Institute

ProtoCall Telephone Counseling Service – (877) 457-8551

Teach For America contracted with an independent tele-counseling company called ProtoCall for the
duration of institute. ProtoCall will:

Provide a 24 hour, 7 days-a-week toll-free hotline that is staffed by professional counselors, who are
somewhat familiar with Teach For America.

Keep all phone conversations confidential unless ProtoCall is concerned about imminent danger and
deems it necessary to involve local authorities. ProtoCall will ask for your name in order to provide
ongoing support (see below), but no information you provide will be shared with TFA. This is a
resource solely intended for your personal use.

Provide ongoing support as needed, by offering to have a follow-up call.
o The follow-up call may not be from the same counselor you called the first time, though
the person who calls you will have notes from the previous counselor.

Have locations and numbers of local resources and provide these to the caller as appropriate.

Provide a TTY/hearing impaired line - 866-892-7165.

Reasons that you may want to call ProtoCall:

• you are feeling stressed or anxious about institute or another issue
• you have something happen in your personal life and need to talk to someone
• you need to find a local resource or service provider
• you are having thoughts of hurting yourself
• any other reason where a counselor’s services could be helpful to you

Corps Member Advisors (CMAs) and Other Staff

CMAs want what is best for you, care about your well-being and are a great resource for corps
members.

If you are concerned about another corps member, you should talk to your CMA or another trusted
staff member.

Although CMAs can be a great resource to corps members, our CMAs are not counselors and,
therefore, have limitations to what support they can provide or what advice they can offer. Your CMA
may refer you to professionals should the need arise, as CMAs are invested in finding support for
corps members who need it.

TFANet Blog – Wellness and Self Care

Written by Chris Brownson, a former corps member (LA '93) and a licensed psychologist, this blog
intends to give support, information, resources, and encouragement related to the stressors, habits,
behaviors, and personal issues involved in being a corps member. Blog site:
http://www.tfanet.org/net/myportal/tfanet/teachinglearningcenter/mentalhealthmatters
(copy and paste link into your browser after logging into TFANet)

Responsibilities of All Corps Members

We all want what is best for each other, throughout institute and beyond. You also have a responsibility to
yourself and should discuss any concerns you are having, either with ProtoCall, your CMA, or another
trusted staff person. You should not ignore signs or symptoms and hope they go away. It is also
appropriate and encouraged to come forward with concerns about the safety or well-being of others.
Assumption of Risk, Release, and Participation Agreement & Anti-Harassment Policy

Teach For America

Corps Member Assumption of Risk, Release, and Participation Agreement &
Anti-Harassment Policy

Definitions
Note: key terms and descriptions include all eventualities and alternatives, whether or not listed.

Emergency Contact The person(s) who should be notified in the event of an emergency involving a corps
member.

Loss Including, but not limited to, the following: destruction or theft (or the like) of personal
property, including luggage and personal effects; additional expenses due to Travel Risks;
inconvenience, delay, or embarrassment, bodily illness, personal injury; lawful or
unlawful detention (i.e. jail or kidnapping); deprivation, disappearance, or damage,.

Corps member Corps member named on page 1 hereto and sometimes identified in the document as
"I/me/my/mine".

Travel Transportation or excursions by any means of conveyance (e.g., airplane, school bus,
minivan, taxi, train, public transportation) as part of your participation as a Teach For
America corps member.

Travel Risks Risk of Loss, delays, changes in the means of transportation or in the performance of
other services; or sickness, weather, vehicle accidents, natural disasters, or other
unforeseen causes or outcomes.
Assumption of Risk, Release, and Participation Agreement & Anti-Harassment Policy

1. Basic Acknowledgments
1.1. While Teach For America has taken reasonable and prudent steps to reduce foreseeable risk, significant
risk may exist for personal injury, death or property damage related to my participation as a Teach For
America corps member including, but not limited to, your attendance at a Summer institute (the
“institute”). I fully understand that my signature means that I am accepting all risks related to my
participation as a Teach For America corps member.
1.2. I have read, or will read, this document thoroughly, and am responsible for knowing and understanding all
relevant policies and procedures related to my participation as a Teach For America corps member,
including the Anti-Harassment policy and the Corps Member Rules, Policies, and Procedures.
1.3. I have participated in, and/or will participate in, with full attention, all sessions and meetings offered in
connection with my participation as a Teach For America corps members.

2. Travel & Transportation Matters

2.1. If any Loss due to Travel Risk occurs, I will accept full responsibility for such Loss and understand that
Teach For America has no liability for such Loss.
2.2. I understand that I am responsible for any parking or moving violations received while traveling to and
from any Teach For America institute activities or otherwise.

3. Medical Matters
3.1. I am aware of my personal medical needs. Whether or not I have exercised my opportunity to consult with
a health care practitioner of my choice, I assure Teach For America that there are no health-related
reasons, physical or psychological impairments or problems that in the exercise of reasonable care would
preclude or restrict my participation in the institute, or would put myself or others in danger by my
participation.
3.2. I grant all relevant Teach For America staff members full authority to take whatever action is warranted
under the circumstances regarding my physical and mental health and safety, including placing me, at my
own expense, in a hospital at any point for medical services and treatment. I understand that in the case of
a medical emergency, Teach For America staff will take reasonable efforts to contact my Emergency
Contact.
3.3. I understand that I am individually responsible for maintaining health insurance coverage throughout the
course of the institute and Teach For America does not provide health insurance for corps members.
3.4. Ultimately, I assume all responsibility for the cost of any medical care or treatment I might need while at
institute or at any point in my two-year commitment to Teach For America.
3.5. I am aware that if I miss more than three days of the institute due to a medical matter, I will be required to
take an Emergency Release from the institute and will not be eligible to accept my assigned placement, as
successful completion of the institute is a pre-requisite to placement.

4. Personal Property and Laptop Use

4.1. I understand that Teach For America is not responsible for any Loss related to my personal property;
including, but not limited to, clothing, automobiles, and electronics such as my personal laptop. I will not
hold Teach For America liable for and release Teach For America from any and all claims of liability for
any losses or damages of any nature in connection with my personal property, including my personal
laptop.
4.2. If I choose to use a personal laptop in connection with my participation in the institute, I assume any and
all risk for my personal laptop and any associated equipment, including but not limited to personal
printers, peripherals, cables, removable media and technical support. I assume any and all risks of loss of
and damage to my own equipment.
4.3. I understand that Teach For America may provide limited technical support for my personal laptop. This
support will be limited to software and files that are required for use in your participation with institute.
4.4. If I elect to receive technical support for my personal laptop, I agree to give Teach For America custody of
the computer hardware, software, data files, and necessary cables and cords so that the technical staff
can inspect and attempt to diagnose or repair the specified problems I have been experiencing with the
Assumption of Risk, Release, and Participation Agreement & Anti-Harassment Policy

Equipment. I understand that it is my sole responsibility to have made backups of any data files, and that
Teach For America has no liability for any loss of or damage to hardware, software, data, content, or
information, including any and all personal data and content.

5. Institute Attendance and Participation

5.1. I agree to fully participate in all summer institute activities unless they are specifically noted as optional. I
understand that failure to successfully gain the necessary skills and knowledge, and/or failure to meet
expectations for professional conduct, and/or missing parts of the institute without proper authorization
leaves me subject to dismissal from Teach For America.
5.2. I understand that more than twenty-four hours/one day of absence may jeopardize successful completion
of the summer institute.
5.3. I understand that during the course of the institute Teach For America may make available various
activities for my enjoyment. These activities are specifically noted as optional activities and are purely
voluntary. I understand that Teach For America shall not be liable for any loss, damage, or bodily injury
that result from my decision to participate in an optional activity.
5.4. I understand that as a condition of my participation at the institute, I may be required to undergo a
criminal background check and sex offender check mandated by the participating school district, and that
the results of such check may be provided to the participating school district. Furthermore, I understand
that I may need to provide photo identification at the school's main office in order to complete this
registration. Finally, I understand that this information is confidential and will not be released to any other
governmental entity.

6. Waiver of Liability; Other Matters

6.1. I ACKNOWLEDGE that I could experience significant and uncompensable Loss during my participation as a
Teach For America corps member.
6.2. For and in consideration of my participation as a Teach For America corps member, I (on behalf of myself
and my heirs, successors, personal representatives and assigns) voluntarily RELEASE, DISCHARGE,
WAIVE AND RELINQUISH any and all actions or causes of action against Teach For America, its officers,
employees, agents, and volunteers, for any and all Losses arising in connection with as a Teach For
America corps member, wherever or however such Losses may occur.
6.3. I agree that this agreement is meant to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by, and will be construed
under, the law of the State of New York. New York will serve as the venue for any legal proceedings
incident to my participation as a Teach For America corps member. The terms of this agreement are
severable, such that if a court of law holds any term to be illegal, unenforceable, or in conflict with law, the
validity of the remaining portions will not be affected. This agreement supersedes any earlier written or
oral understandings or agreements between Teach For America and corps member.

7. University and Institute Property

7.1. I understand that I am responsible for, and agree to pay for, any losses or damages of university or Teach
For America property entrusted to my care, including but not limited to, damages to my dorm room and
common area, replacement of lost residence hall keys, replacement of lost university identification,
replacement of lost university meal cards, rental technology and replacement of items I have checked out
from the institute’s resource room and subsequently cannot account for due to loss, misplacement, or
theft.
7.2. I agree to pay for any losses or damages of university or Teach For America property entrusted to me
within thirty (30) days after notice of such loss or damage. I will be notified of my collected charges after
institute is completed.

8. Media Policy Matters

8.1. I acknowledge that during the course of my two-year commitment Teach For America may record my
image, voice or likeness at any time while I am engaged in any Teach For America related activities or
attending Teach For America related events without notice or my specific consent. I grant Teach For
America permission to use and reproduce my image; likeness; or voice, in any medium for any purpose it
Assumption of Risk, Release, and Participation Agreement & Anti-Harassment Policy

deems appropriate in perpetuity. I understand that I will have no editorial or preview rights regarding any
of these materials.
8.2. I am aware that I may not record and/or subsequently share students’ images, voices or likenesses at any
time without a signed release from the students’ guardian. This includes photos, names, and other
identifying characteristics and includes posting such materials in any public place including classrooms,
dormitory doors or the internet, e.g. blogs, chat rooms, etc.

Anti-Harassment Policy
Teach For America is committed to maintaining an environment that is free from discrimination, including sexual
harassment and any other form of unlawful harassment, such as harassment based on race, color, ethnicity,
religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, veteran status,
pregnancy, parenthood, or any other characteristic or status protected by law. In keeping with this commitment,
Teach For America has zero tolerance for unlawful harassment (or related behaviors that do not rise to the level of
unlawful harassment but are nonetheless a violation of the professional standards we expect all corps members
and staff to uphold or are otherwise inconsistent with our core values), whether by a fellow corps member, a staff
member, or other people with whom we do business, especially when such harassment interferes with an
individual’s performance or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment.

Harassment may include derogatory remarks, epithets, offensive jokes, the display or circulation or broadcast of
offensive printed, visual or electronic materials, or offensive physical actions. Sexual harassment deserves special
mention. Sexual harassment may include such actions as: sexually-oriented verbal “kidding,” “teasing,” or jokes;
subtle pressure for sexual activity; physical contact such as patting, pinching, or brushing against another’s body;
or demands for sexual favors. Other forms of unlawful harassment may include similar conduct or derogatory
remarks based upon any protected characteristic or status.

Complaint Procedures
Corps and staff members are responsible for maintaining a discrimination-free environment. Anyone who has been
the victim of unlawful harassment or believes that they have witnessed such harassment should take the following
steps:
• Document, or otherwise record each incident of alleged harassment, including the date, time, place, what
was said or done, the surrounding circumstances, and the identities of all individuals present, including any
witnesses.
• If you feel comfortable (and the setting is conducive to a private discussion), approach the individual or
individuals responsible for the offensive behavior, inform them that you find their conduct to be offensive
and ask that they immediately stop the offensive behavior.
• You should also report the incident to the most appropriate senior staff member. During your time at
institute, it should be the most appropriate Institute Management Team member, e.g. the SMDI, or your
manager and after institute, it should be the Executive Director of your region.
• If you are uncomfortable filing the complaint with anyone on-site, you may file a written complaint with
Laura Moodey at Laura.Moodey@teachforamerica.org.

Once made aware of the grievance, Teach For America is committed to commencing an immediate, thorough
investigation of the allegation. Confidentiality will be maintained throughout the investigative process to the
maximum extent possible. Violation of this policy is considered a serious offense and could result in a staff member
being placed on an improvement plan or in cases where the behavior is egregious, immediate dismissal. Please
note that Teach For America can and will respond to allegations of harassment by a corps member or staff person
that fail to rise to the level of unlawful harassment.

Appeal Process
If you strongly disagree with a decision that directly involves you, you may file an appeal to have the decision
reviewed. To appeal a decision, please take the following steps:
• Follow any directions provided by the senior staff member to comply with the current decision. Failure to
comply with the current decision will negate any possibility of over-turning the decision.
Assumption of Risk, Release, and Participation Agreement & Anti-Harassment Policy

• Compose a letter addressed to Tracy-Elizabeth Clay, Teach For America General Counsel, detailing why the
decision should be reviewed. Include as many specifics as possible, as well as your contact information.
Please send the letter to the following address:
TEACH FOR AMERICA
ATTN: LEGAL AFFAIRS
300 West Adams Suite 1000
Chicago, IL 60606
• All evidence will be reviewed and you will be provided a decision and/or available next steps.
• If you are still in disagreement with the decision, you may contact the Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission at 800-669-4000.
Corps Member Requirements,
Policies, and Procedures
INTRODUCTION
COMPLIANCE WITH TEACH FOR AMERICA’S
REQUIREMENTS, POLICIES, AND PROCEDURES
As you prepare to be a member of Teach For America for the
2012-13 year, please take the time to read this Requirements,
Policies, and Procedures document carefully. Your rights and
responsibilities as a corps member for the 2012-13 year will
be based on the terms of this document which supersedes
any prior documents, policy statements, or information you
may have received to date.
You will be required to confirm that you have read,
understood, and agreed to comply with all Teach For America
policies by electronically signing the commitment statement
on the Applicant Center when you accept your offer, and again
in hard copy format at the beginning of each year. These
policies may be amended and/or supplemented by Teach For
America over the course of the year. In addition, your region
may notify you of additional policies and procedures which
you are expected to follow.
Failure to follow any Teach For America policies and/or
procedures – those introduced below and those provided to
you during the course of your corps commitment – will
subject you to the consequences set forth in this document.
This document is not an employment contract between you
and Teach For America and does not bestow any other rights
or guarantees other than what is set forth in these policies.
This document includes the following policies:
I. Policies Related to Corps Commitment
Emergency Release
Dismissal
Resignation
II. Corps Member Improvement Policies
III. Institute Policies
Institute Attendance and Participation
University Policies
Dismissal Policy
IV. Assignment and Placement Policies
District and State Hiring Requirements
Placement and Teaching Requirements

1
V. General Policies
Non-Discrimination/Non-Harassment Policy
Accommodations Policy
Media and Publicity Policy
Third-Party Communication Policy
VI. AmeriCorps Policies
AmeriCorps Member Position Description
Prohibited Activities for AmeriCorps Members
Education Awards for Corps Members Who Fail to
Complete Commitment
Criminal Charges and AmeriCorps Participation
Compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act
VII. Grievance Policies
I. POLICIES RELATED TO CORPS
COMMITMENT
EMERGENCY RELEASE
It is the expectation of Teach For America that you will
complete your two-year commitment in your originally
assigned region and placement school. However, in rare
instances, if you have a compelling personal circumstance
arise, such as a serious illness or injury to yourself or a
family member, you may request an emergency release from
your two-year commitment. Emergency release requests
during the institute should be submitted to the senior
managing director of institute and regional staff. The institute
and regional teams will work together to make a joint
decision. If you need to request an emergency release during
your placement in the region, the request should be
submitted in writing directly to the executive director in your
regional office and your manager, teacher leadership and
development.
If your emergency release request is granted, you may
subsequently request, within two years, to rejoin Teach For
America in the region to which you were originally assigned,
or request an official transfer to another region. Regional
assignment or transfers cannot be guaranteed. The request
to re-enter is contingent upon satisfactory review by a senior
vice president of the Teacher Preparation, Support, and
Development team. You may be required to re-attend the
training institute in order to re-enter the corps. Additionally, if
you choose not to return within two years, we will consider
your emergency release as a resignation from the corps. In
the event you do not return to the corps, you may be eligible
for a partial AmeriCorps education award.
DISMISSAL
Teach For America reserves the right to dismiss you at any
point during the two-year commitment if your behavior casts
doubt on your ability to have a positive impact on children in
the classroom, on the communities in which we work, or on
Teach For America itself. This can include, but is not limited
to, the following circumstances:
x If you do not meet stated expectations during the
summer institute and/or if you fail to meet stated
expectations after being placed on a corps member
improvement plan (as described below);
x If you falsify, have previously falsified, omit, or have
previously omitted any information you provide to
Teach For America, your placement site or any
individual or organization affiliated with Teach For
America;
x If you do not meet any of the state or district hiring
requirements necessary to be hired or the
certification requirements necessary to remain
employed by a partner school;
x If you are dismissed from your placement school for
performance or behavior reasons;
x If you engage in activities or behavior that indicates
a lack of respect for the students we work with, our
communities, our district partners, our
funders/supporters, or Teach For America;
x If you fail to adhere to any of the policies,
procedures, or expectations (including adherence to
the core values) of Teach For America during your
two-year commitment including institute;
x Any serious breach of AmeriCorps policies of which
you are or should be aware, as determined by Teach
For America in its sole discretion; or
x If you do not abide by Teach For America’s non-
discrimination and non-harassment policies.
Teach For America reserves the right to make such a
determination in its sole discretion.

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If you are dismissed from your two-year commitment by
Teach For America, you will receive a letter to that effect from
your executive director (or another regional staff member) or,
if during institute, from the senior managing director of
institute. This letter will serve as the sole documentation
from Teach For America of your dismissal. If you are
dismissed, you are not entitled to any financial assistance to
exit the program, any reimbursements for expenses incurred
while in the program or in anticipation of continuing in the
program, and will remain personally liable for any
outstanding debts such as loans undertaken to finance the
certification coursework, as well as any unpaid balance of
your transitional loans. If you are dismissed, you may also
need to repay a portion of your transitional grants, depending
on the time of your dismissal, and will be responsible for
repaying any loans received from Teach For America in
accordance with the loan terms. As a dismissed corps
member, you automatically become ineligible to receive an
AmeriCorps education award. Any individual who is
dismissed by Teach For America will not be permitted to
rejoin the corps. It is Teach For America’s policy to inform our
school district partners whenever a corps member is
dismissed from the program regardless of whether you elect
to remain in your teaching position. In some regions,
dismissal from the Teach For America program may result in
losing your teaching position. Finally, dismissal from the
corps means that you will not be considered an alumnus of
Teach For America and will not be granted access to
resources such as TFANet or other privileges and benefits
that are reserved for alumni of Teach For America.
The policies and procedures for dismissals which take place
during the summer institute are noted in the section of this
document which addresses institute policies.
RESIGNATION
If you resign for any reason, Teach For America will treat your
decision to resign in the same manner as a dismissal and you
will have the same responsibilities and rights as set forth in
the Dismissal section of this document. If you resign from
Teach For America you are not entitled to any financial
assistance to exit the program, any reimbursements for
expenses incurred while in the program or in anticipation of
continuing in the program, and will remain personally liable
for any outstanding debts such as loans undertaken to
finance certification coursework, as well as any unpaid
balance for transitional loans. You may also be responsible
for repaying any other loans received from Teach For America
in accordance with loan terms.
If you resign during institute, you should submit a resignation
in writing to the senior managing director of institute, copied
to your corps member advisor, school director, and regional
staff. Any individual who resigns from Teach For America
during institute will be required to complete the official
institute checkout procedures prior to departure and depart
the university site within 24 hours of submitting the
resignation letter. If you resign during your two-year
commitment, you should submit a resignation in writing to
your regional executive director, copied to your manager,
teacher leadership and development.
II. CORPS MEMBER IMPROVEMENT
POLICIES
REGIONAL IMPROVEMENT PROCESS
Teach For America’s vision is to end educational inequity and
provide transformational educational opportunities for all
children. In certain instances, a corps member may act in
ways that interfere with the learning and progress of
students, behaving in such a way as to give rise to concerns
that s/he is not demonstrating our core values, or his or her
performance is not aligned with achieving stated
performance goals. In such vases, your manager, teacher
leadership and development and/or executive director may
determine that your behavior does not merit dismissal and
the most effective means in aligning your behavior or
performance concerns is to place you on a corps member
improvement plan (CMIP). The purpose of a CMIP is to
provide a corps member with concrete expectations for
performance, agreed upon strategies for improving
performance, clear benchmarks for determining if those
expectations are met, and a structured process to help you
improve. In cases where a corps member does not
demonstrate sufficient progress on the CMIP or fails to
demonstrate commitment or effort in following the
improvement plan, as determined by the regional staff, you
may be dismissed from the corps as outlined above. As corps
members are not automatically entitled to a CMIP, Teach For
America reserves the right to immediately dismiss corps
members if the manager, teacher leadership and
development and/or executive director believes that such
action is warranted.
INSTITUTE IMPROVEMENT PROCESS
If you are acting in ways that interfere with the learning and
progress of students or other corps members during
institute, you and your corps member advisor will have a
formal conversation about what areas of improvement are

3
needed. If adequate improvement is not seen, you may be
placed on a written improvement plan. The main purpose of
this plan is to explicitly state expectations and provide a
structured process to help you improve. The improvement
plan will articulate specific areas for improvement and
strategies and resources that may help you improve. You
may remain on the improvement plan throughout the
institute, or until you have demonstrated adequate
improvement in the areas identified, as determined by
institute staff. In cases where you do not demonstrate
sufficient progress on the improvement plan, or fail to
demonstrate sufficient commitment or effort in following the
improvement process, as determined by institute staff, you
may be dismissed from the corps. As corps members are not
automatically entitled to an improvement plan, in egregious
situations, Teach For America reserves the right to
immediately dismiss corps members if the senior managing
director of institute or senior vice president of the Teacher
Preparation, Support, and Development team deems it is
warranted. The dismissal will be effective immediately and
you will be required to depart the university site within 24
hours of dismissal.
In either instance, Teach For America’s performance or
disciplinary actions can include, but are not limited to, the
following:
x Requiring you to enter into a corps member
improvement plan that sets clear expectations and
consequences for failure to meet expectations up to
and including dismissal.
x Prohibiting you from participating in certain corps
activities or professional development activities.
x Finding that you have not met our program
requirements and therefore are not eligible to
receive an AmeriCorps education award for your
year of service.
III. INSTITUTE POLICIES
INSTITUTE ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION
You are required to fully participate in all summer institute
activities, both day and evening, unless an activity is
specifically noted as optional. If you fail to attend any portion
of the institute, you risk missing important knowledge and
skills and leave yourself in jeopardy of not successfully
completing the institute. Due to the intensive nature of the
institute, you are expected to be at the institute for the total
duration, and be in attendance every day the program is
running. Failing to successfully gain the necessary skills and
knowledge or to meet expectations for professional conduct
by missing parts of the institute without proper authorization
means that you would not meet the standards we expect for
our corps members to be ready on day one to successfully
lead a classroom. Therefore, if you miss any days at institute
without proper authorization, you may be dismissed from the
corps. You will receive guidance regarding how to obtain
authorization for missing days when you join the corps. You
should note that when you are at institute over a national
holiday (such as July 4), that holiday will be considered a
workday unless you are notified otherwise.
UNIVERSITY POLICIES
Each summer institute is located on the campus of a local
college or university. As a guest of the university, you must
adhere to any and all of the host university’s policies and
procedures for dormitory residents. Such policies vary by
location and usually include rules around alcohol possession
or consumption, overnight guests, security, and the
allowance of pets. You will receive additional information
about the policies at your university in the spring and upon
your arrival at the institute. If you choose not to comply fully
with any university policies and procedures to which you are
subject as residential guests of the university during the
institute, you may be dismissed from the corps.
DISMISSAL POLICY
If you do not adhere to any of the policies, procedures, or
expectations of Teach For America during the institute, you
may be dismissed from the corps. Among the reasons for
dismissal:
x An overall lack of professionalism or violation of the
core values of Teach For America (e.g. unexcused
absences from school or sessions, dishonesty, etc.).
x A serious violation of norms of conduct expected of
a professional teacher (e.g. assaulting a student,
criminal behavior, intentional degradation of a
student or co-worker, etc.).
x Failure to adhere to any and all policies of the
institute’s host school district and university,
distributed to corps members upon their arrival at
institute.
In the case of a particularly severe violation of the above
standards, you can be dismissed after an investigation
conducted by the senior managing director without being
placed on an improvement plan. Following dismissals under
those circumstances, the senior managing director of

4
institute will send a letter notifying you of your dismissal and
indicating the reasons for the dismissal. Upon dismissal, a
corps member will have 24 hours to depart from the
institute.
IV. ASSIGNMENT AND PLACEMENT
POLICIES
DISTRICT AND STATE HIRING REQUIREMENTS
Required Standardized Tests
You are legally required to take and pass standardized tests
in order to teach in most of the placement partners in which
Teach For America places teachers. The tests vary according
to regional and subject/grade-level assignment. You are
responsible for paying for any tests required by your
assigned district and state for your particular teaching
position. You are also fully responsible for passing all
required standardized tests. Failure to pass may result in a
change of subject assignment, regional assignment, or
dismissal from the corps.
In some instances Teach For America may require corps
members to take additional standardized tests to facilitate
placement in the event that a teaching position in the
originally assigned subject is not available. In rare instances,
the required additional standardized tests may be for a
possible contingency placement in a different region than the
region originally assigned. You are fully responsible for
passing any additional standardized tests. Failure to pass
may result in a change of subject assignment or regional
assignment, or you may be dismissed from the corps.
District Hiring Requirements
In addition to standardized test passage, you are responsible
for successfully completing district hiring requirements.
These can include, but are not limited to:
x State paperwork
x Principal interviews
x Drug testing
x Fingerprinting for child abuse clearances
x Medical examinations
x Criminal background/security checks
Failure to meet the district or state requirements (for
example, by failing a required test or failing a criminal
background check) may result in having your teaching
subject matter or regional assignment change, or in being
dismissed from the corps. Teach For America will determine
on a case-by-case basis if reassignment is feasible and
appropriate. Under certain circumstances, even if you are
otherwise ineligible for reassignment, you may receive the
option of taking an emergency release and returning to the
corps within two years. Corps members are responsible for
meeting any extra costs under these circumstances.
Teach For America is not responsible for finding an
alternative placement for you if you fail a drug screening test,
medical examination, or criminal background check.
Moreover, Teach For America is not responsible for finding a
teaching placement for you if you have participated in several
principal interviews and have not received any offers. While
we will provide interview coaching and support, you are
ultimately responsible for successfully interviewing with a
principal and securing a teaching position.
Criminal Records and Background Checks
Teach For America is not responsible for finding alternative
placements for you if you cannot be hired or if you are fired
by your assigned school districts because of your criminal
records or involvement in criminal proceedings. We reserve
the right to inform the school district in which you are
teaching or planning to teach of any criminal convictions or
your ongoing involvement in criminal proceedings that we
are aware of. If, through background checks conducted or
commissioned by a state, placement partner, or Teach For
America, it is found that there is a charge against you other
than a minor traffic violation, and you did not disclose it in the
application; this may be treated as falsification or
misrepresentation, and you may be emergency released or
dismissed from the corps.
Based on past experiences, Teach For America has found
that although corps members have an expunged or sealed
criminal record and the corps member does not disclose the
criminal proceeding on the partner’s application, many
background checks conducted or commissioned by a state or
placement partner still reveal the expunged or sealed
criminal record. Moreover, because the records are either
expunged or sealed, many corps members experience
difficulty in obtaining supporting documentation which may
even further delay the processing of his/her application.
Teach For America suggests that corps members with sealed
or expunged records be forthright about these past criminal
proceeding and be prepared to present documentation from
a probation office, courthouse, etc. that the criminal record is
indeed sealed, expunged, or has been reconciled prior to
submission of his/her application so as not to delay
placement in their regional assignment.

5
Required District Documentation
Your school district employment is often contingent on
presentation of required documentation. You will need to
have copies of your official transcript from your
undergraduate degree-granting school sent to your regional
office which states “degree conferred.” If you have also
completed a graduate degree, you will need to send your
regional office copies of your final graduate institution
transcript if requested. Failure to provide documentation
reflecting “degree conferred” may result in your being
dismissed from the corps.
Initial Salary
Corps members are not Teach For America employees.
Therefore, Teach For America cannot guarantee corps
members a particular salary as placement partners are
responsible for paying teacher salaries and assignments and
pay scales may change. Also, please note that salaries can
vary widely between regions, and even vary significantly
within a region, based on the specific teaching placement.
Teach For America will not consider corps member salary
preferences in the placement process.
Certification and Certification Providers
You may be required to enroll in an alternative certification
program, sometimes through your school district and
sometimes with a university partner, to earn the
license/permit/certification that enables you to be employed
as the classroom teacher of record at your school or site. If
you enroll in a certification program through a university, you
will be considered a student of that university or program
and will be subject to all rules, responsibilities, and fees that
are required of other students. You are solely responsible for
doing whatever is required to maintain your certification
during your two-year commitment. This may include
attending required courses, maintaining any state- or
district-mandated GPA, and completing any student teaching
requirements. You are required to remain in good standing
with your certification provider. Teach For America is not
responsible if you run afoul of university or program policies
and are suspended, are placed on academic probation, or fail
to pay outstanding tuition and fees in a timely manner and as
a result have your certificate or license suspended. If your
actions have resulted in the loss of your teaching certificate
or license and you are unable to teach in your current
assignment, you may be dismissed from the corps.
In some instances, certification providers offer corps
members a discount on tuition, financial aid, or other
benefits that lower certification costs. While Teach For
America is pleased to facilitate such arrangements whenever
possible, please note that we are not responsible if a
certification provider elects to discontinue such benefits for
any reason, raise tuition or other fees, alter scheduled
classes, etc. These decisions are solely up to the certification
provider. In any event, you are responsible for the costs
associated with obtaining certification and meeting any
district and state requirements, including tuition for a
certification program, books, lab fees, and other associated
costs.
PLACEMENT AND TEACHING REQUIREMENTS
Regional and Subject Matter Assignment
The assignment to a particular region that you receive upon
acceptance is considered final and may only change due to
extraordinary, unforeseen circumstances as determined in
Teach For America’s sole discretion. However, due to
recurring factors that affect our partner districts, such as
difficulty projecting needs accurately, last-minute budget
cuts, and late teacher retirements and transfers, the subject
and grade level assignment you receive upon acceptance
may change.
Placement Commitment
Teach For America strives to guarantee every corps member
an initial teaching placement (though due to unanticipated
factors such as layoffs or other budgetary constraints on our
district partners, placement may be in a different grade
level/subject matter, or in some instances, in a different
region than originally assigned), provided you meet all
district and state requirements for teaching in your assigned
site and for remaining in your position for two consecutive
years. While Teach For America works to inform you about
these requirements, you are ultimately responsible for
taking all of the necessary steps to find out about and
complete district and state requirements. Teach For America
will not request individual waivers for any district or state
requirements for corps members who fail to meet necessary
requirements. If you do not meet the state or district
requirements necessary to remain in your position for two
consecutive years you may be dismissed from the corps. In
the unlikely event that a corps member cannot be placed in a
teaching position at the beginning of the school year due to a
lack of teaching placement availabilities, Teach For America
will work with the corps member to find a placement for a
reasonable period of time either in the original assignment
region or in another region, if the corps member qualifies to
teach in another region and there are placement possibilities
in the other region. Although we will strive to honor your
preferences during reassignment, we cannot guarantee

6
reassignment to a particular region or in a particular grade
level/subject matter as our first consideration will be
securing a teaching placement for you. If you are reassigned,
you are expected to immediately begin preparing for, living
in, and meeting the requirements of the new region. Only if
you have compelling personal circumstances preventing you
from teaching in the new region may you request a second
change in assignment or an emergency release. Teach For
America reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to release a
corps member from his or her commitment in the highly
unlikely event that a teaching placement cannot be secured
within a reasonable timeframe as determined solely by
Teach For America. In such extremely rare instances, the
corps member will be eligible to rejoin the corps within two
academic years, and the corps member may request to be
re-assigned to the same region to which the corps member
was originally assigned, although Teach For America cannot
guarantee placement in the same region. In the event that a
corps member is unplaced at the start of the year due to the
lack of available teaching placements and not on district or
school payroll, he/she will be eligible to apply for financial
assistance from Teach For America while awaiting
placement or release, though that assistance may be less
than a full teaching salary.
Changing Placements During the Two-Year Commitment
Teach For America firmly expects you to uphold your
commitment to teach for two years in the school and/or
region in which you are placed. This is non-negotiable. If
there are extraordinary personal circumstances and you
wish to change your placement, you should immediately
contact your regional office. Please note that Teach For
America grants requests to switch to other schools or
regions only in rare circumstances. Requests for transfer to
another region are reviewed by the regional team and then
by Teach For America’s senior vice president of the Teacher
Preparation, Support and Development team and are only
granted under very serious circumstances. Regardless of the
circumstances, transfers are not guaranteed. In the event
you are transferred, you are ultimately responsible for taking
all of the necessary steps to find out about and complete
district and state requirements. If you initiate an assignment
or placement change on your own, with school or district
personnel, or resign from your school, you will be dismissed
from the corps.
Public Charter School/Community-Based Organization
Placements
In many regions, you may receive a placement in a public
charter school or a community-based organization (CBOs)
such as a local Head Start center. Teach For America
partners with numerous charter schools, charter
management organizations (CMOs), and CBOs that work with
the same or similar communities and students as our
traditional district partners. In addition, in some regions, the
local school district has entered into arrangements with
educational management organizations (EMOs) such as
Edison Schools, Inc. which are responsible for the day-to-day
management of a particular school. You are not permitted to
refuse to accept a placement on the grounds that the
placement is with a public charter school, a CMO, an EMO-
managed school, or a school setting within a CBO. As is the
case with corps members placed in a traditional school
district, you will be subject to all of the rights and
responsibilities of any other employee of that school and are
likewise held to the same expectations as corps members in
traditional district placements.
Layoffs or Other Disruptions of Employment
In certain instances, you may lose your teaching position
after placement due to state, district, or school budgetary
reasons. In the event that you are laid off or otherwise
released from their employment for reasons other than
performance or behavior, Teach For America will work with
you to attempt to re-place you in a different school within the
same region. If Teach For America is unable to find another
placement for you in that region, you will be given the option
of being reassigned to another region if there are
reassignment options available. While every attempt will be
made to secure employment in a reassignment region, Teach
For America cannot guarantee placement in a new region, as
securing a teaching position in a different region will depend
upon a number of factors such as availability of vacancies,
passage of required tests, and other district requirements. If
no such option is available or if you cannot relocate to a new
region, Teach For America reserves the right, in its sole
discretion, to release you from his or her commitment in the
highly unlikely event that a teaching placement cannot be
secured in a reasonable timeframe as determined solely by
Teach For America. In such extremely rare instances, you
will be eligible to rejoin the corps within two academic years,
and you may request to be reassigned to the same region to
which you were originally assigned, although Teach For
America cannot guarantee placement in the same region. If
you experience financial hardship as a result of losing your
initial teaching placement due to a layoff or other budgetary
reason, you may be eligible to apply for emergency financial
support. Teach For America will evaluate such requests on a
case-by-case basis.
District Disciplinary Proceedings

7
On rare occasions, you may find yourself involved in
disciplinary proceedings within your placement school or
school district. If you are involved in a disciplinary proceeding
at your school, you should contact your union representative
or seek other support, such as an attorney, as our regional
staff is not equipped to provide legal counsel. In very rare
circumstances, regional staff may elect to provide more
formal support, up to and including providing letters of
support or speaking with school or district leadership
regarding the disciplinary matter. Please note that Teach For
America reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to
determine whether or not to become involved in any fashion
whatsoever in any disciplinary proceeding involving a corps
member, but under no circumstance is Teach For America
obligated to do so.
Dismissal by the School District/Charter
School/Community-Based Organization
If you are dismissed or suspended from your teaching
position for reasons having to do with your performance as a
teacher or behavior as member of the school community, you
will not be re-placed by Teach For America, and you will be
dismissed from the corps. This holds true even if poor
performance was not the sole reason for the suspension or
dismissal. If you have reason to believe that your situation
warrants an exception to this policy, you may submit a
request, in writing, to the regional executive director and
request that Teach For America find you another teaching
position. Teach For America reserves the right to deny this
request and to dismiss you from the corps. If you are
dismissed or terminated from your teaching position due to
poor performance or personal behavior; upon dismissal, you
will be personally responsible for repaying any loans made by
Teach For America to you while you were a corps member. In
addition, you may have incurred tuition expenses with a
certification.
V. GENERAL POLICIES
NON-DISCRIMINATION/NON-HARASSMENT POLICY AND
PROCEDURE
Teach For America is committed to a policy of equal
treatment and opportunity in every aspect of its relations with
its corps members, without regard to race, color, ethnicity,
religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual
orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status,
military status, pregnancy, or parenthood. Teach For America
considers discrimination or harassment of any type
unacceptable and does not condone such behavior. If you
believe that you have been subjected to discrimination and/or
harassment by someone directly employed by or otherwise
involved with Teach For America, we encourage you to take
the following steps. If it is appropriate and possible for you to
do so, we encourage you to try to resolve the matter directly
with the person who allegedly conducted the offensive act. In
instances where this type of informal intervention is not
appropriate or sufficient in resolving the matter, you may file
a written complaint with your senior managing director of
institute or regional executive director.
The written complaint must include the following
information:
x The name of the person filing the complaint
x The name of the accused individual
x An explanation of all events surrounding the act(s)
of discrimination or harassment
x Any supporting documentation and/or witnesses to
the alleged act(s) of discrimination or harassment
An informal investigation will begin immediately after a
written complaint is filed. The senior managing director of
institute or the regional executive director (or a designated
representative) will review the complaint, interview both the
person filing the complaint and the accused party, and
interview other individuals as necessary. The corps member
filing the complaint will be asked to respect the
confidentiality of all parties, including the accused individual,
during the investigation.
After all interviews are finished, the investigating staff
member will make a decision based on the information
presented in the complaint and gathered during the
investigation. If it is determined that the evidence does not
substantiate the accusation of discrimination and/or
harassment, the accused individual will retain full status as a
corps member or staff member in good standing and will be
notified immediately of the decision. If it is determined that a
corps member or staff member has discriminated against
and/or harassed another, that person will be subject to
disciplinary action up to and including dismissal or
termination from Teach For America. If either the accusing or
the accused corps member disputes the outcome of an
investigation, that individual may file to appeal the decision
by filing a grievance as described in the Grievance Policy at
the end of this document.
ACCOMMODATIONS POLICY
Teach For America strongly believes qualified individuals with
a disability are strong contributors to our efforts. Teach For

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America is committed to providing equal access and
opportunities to candidates with legally recognizable
disabilities, and prohibits discrimination on the basis of
disability in the application process in accordance with the
Americans with Disabilities Act and similar state laws. We
will make our reasonable best effort to provide reasonable
accommodations for our applicants with disabilities at every
stage of the application process. Disclosing a disability or
requesting a need for accommodations is a separate and
distinct process from admissions and will have absolutely no
bearing on a candidate’s application status. If you have any
questions regarding our disability accommodations policy,
please contact our disabilities accommodations officer at
dao@teachforamerica.org.
Please note that while Teach For America is committed to
providing reasonable accommodations to corps members
with disabilities through the application process and in the
training we provide during the corps experience, Teach For
America is not the ultimate employer of any corps member.
Therefore, we are not responsible for the accommodations
provided at any placement site or the decision by a placement
site to grant or deny a specific accommodations request.
MEDIA AND PUBLICITY POLICY
Teach For America works proactively to gain media attention
on a national and local level to support our recruitment,
fundraising, and general outreach efforts. In the process, we
strive to generate publicity that emphasizes the importance
of transformational teaching in the classroom and focuses
positive attention on students and schools. As a result, corps
members are often the subject of print and broadcast media.
At the same time, as our organization grows in visibility and
impact, individuals, organizations, and the press occasionally
may approach you as a corps member to obtain a statement
which can then be shared in a variety of formats including
news articles and press statement. You should immediately
contact your regional office and/or institute leadership team
if approached by the press (including inquiries from college-
based media), or any organization seeking your input as a
corps member.
Teach For America frequently uses photographs, film,
videotape, and/or biographical information of corps members
in publicity efforts, promotional materials, directories, and
other similar projects, and you may appear in these materials
without your prior knowledge, although Teach For America
makes reasonable efforts to secure your permission to
publish your image, likeness, or other information, whenever
feasible.
THIRD-PARTY COMMUNICATION POLICY
Teach For America values your participation as a corps
member and your engagement as a professional teacher in
the Teach For America program. We also recognize and
value the ongoing support provided by your family members
and other individuals as you undertake your commitment.
However, due to privacy considerations, Teach For America
will not discuss your status as a corps member, employment
with our placement partners, performance aspects, etc. with
any individual other than placement or programmatic
partners without your express acknowledgement that we may
do so.
VI. AMERICORPS POLICIES
It is very likely that as a corps member you will be eligible to
be concurrently enrolled as an AmeriCorps member. As
such, you may be eligible to receive an AmeriCorps education
award, forbearance on qualified student loans, and payments
for interest accrued during your two-year commitment.
Please note that Teach For America cannot guarantee these
benefits, given the nature of the AmeriCorps grant renewal
process, its dependence on congressional funding, and
current AmeriCorps regulations.
In the event that Teach For America secures the necessary
AmeriCorps grants to provide corps members with these
benefits, the following policies will apply to all corps
members who are enrolled as AmeriCorps members, and
you must fulfill these requirements in order to receive
benefits associated with AmeriCorps:
x You must establish a My AmeriCorps portal account
when directed to do so by regional staff.
x You must submit all required AmeriCorps
paperwork by required deadlines, as communicated
by your regional staff.
x You must complete a minimum of 1,700 hours of
service per year of service, with at least 80 percent
of your service consisting of direct service hours,
and must submit service verifications to your
regional office as required and communicated by
regional staff by required deadlines
x You must fulfill all requirements of your particular
AmeriCorps program, in this case Teach For
America.
If you have served as an AmeriCorps member prior to joining
Teach For America, you should discuss your eligibility for
additional AmeriCorps terms with your regional staff.
AmeriCorps places strict limits on the number of terms for

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which an individual may receive AmeriCorps benefits, so
prior AmeriCorps service may preclude you from receiving
education awards or other benefits that are provided by
AmeriCorps.
AMERICORPS MEMBER POSITION DESCRIPTION
Position Description:
Teach For America corps members commit two years to
serve as full time teachers in urban and rural public schools
and become lifelong leaders in the effort to expand
opportunity for children. Corps members are placed in pre-
K through high school teaching positions. Eligible corps
members concurrently serve as AmeriCorps members and
as such, must adhere to the AmeriCorps policies outlined in
this Corps Member Requirements, Policies, and Procedures
agreement and any regional supplemental contract (if
applicable).
Standards of Conduct:
As a Teach For America AmeriCorps member, you will:
x Assume a tremendous leadership role and
overcome immense challenges to make an
immediate impact on the lives of low-income
children.
x Gain the insight, credibility, and network to effect
meaningful long-term change.
x Acquire concrete skills that will position you for
success regardless of the profession you ultimately
pursue.
x Participate in the required professional development
and licensure coursework outlined by your region.
AmeriCorps Term of Service:
As an AmeriCorps member you are required to abide by the
standards of conduct outlined above and in the Corps
Member Requirements, Policies, and Procedures agreement
and any regional supplemental contract (if applicable) and to
serve a minimum 1700 hours in your teaching position. Upon
successful completion of the terms of service you will be
eligible to earn an education award of $5,550. AmeriCorps
terms are served on a yearly basis. Thus, the education
award amount listed above is only for the 2012-13 service
term.
PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES FOR AMERICORPS MEMBERS
Because AmeriCorps is supported by public funds, as an
AmeriCorps member you must refrain from engaging in
certain activities while charging time to an AmeriCorps
program, accumulating service hours toward an education
award, or otherwise engaging in activities supported by the
AmeriCorps program. A full list of prohibited activities
follows, but in general, you may not (1) attempt to influence
legislation or (2) participate in or endorse political events or
activities.
However, you may exercise your First Amendment rights and
participate in the political process on your own initiative, on
non-AmeriCorps time and using non-AmeriCorps funds and
resources. Time spent on such activities may not be included
on AmeriCorps timesheets, and you may not wear the
AmeriCorps logo or identify yourself as an AmeriCorps
member while participating. The following activities are
prohibited while charging time to an AmeriCorps program,
accumulating service hours toward an education award, or
otherwise engaging in activities supported by the AmeriCorps
program:
x Attempting to influence legislation
x Organizing or engaging in protests, petitions,
boycotts, or strikes
x Assisting, promoting, or deterring union organizing
x Impairing existing contracts for services or
collective bargaining agreements
x Providing abortion services or referrals
x Engaging in partisan political activities or other
activities designed to influence the outcome of an
election to any public office
x Participating in or endorsing events or activities that
are likely to include advocacy for or against political
parties, political platforms, political candidates,
proposed legislation, or elected officials
x Engaging in religious instruction, conducting
worship services, providing instruction as part of a
program that includes mandatory religious
instruction or worship, constructing or operating
facilities devoted to religious instruction or worship,
maintaining facilities primarily or inherently devoted
to religious instruction or worship, or engaging in
any form of religious proselytization
x Providing a direct benefit to:
o a business organized for profit
o a labor union
o a partisan political organization
o a nonprofit organization that fails to comply
with the internal revenue code section
501(c)(3)

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o an organization engaged in the religious
activities described in the preceding sub-
clause, unless grant funds are not used to
support the religious activities
o a nonprofit entity that fails to comply with
the restrictions contained in section
501(c)(3) of U.S. Code title 26
x Voter registration drives held by AmeriCorps
members are unacceptable service activities. In
addition, Corporation funds may not be used to
conduct a voter registration drive.
x Writing grant applications for AmeriCorps funding
or for any other funding provided by the Corporation
for National and Community Service
x Writing grant applications for funding provided by
any other federal agencies
x Other activities as the Corporation for National
Service determines will be prohibited, upon notice to
organizations receiving Corporation funds
EDUCATION AWARDS FOR CORPS MEMBERS WHO FAIL TO
COMPLETE COMMITMENT
If you leave prior to completing your commitment for
“compelling personal circumstances,” you may be eligible
for a partial education award, prorated by the percentage of
your term that you have served and documented to date.
Compelling personal circumstances are urgent reasons for
leaving that are outside of your control and prevent you from
completing your term of service. These could include serious
medical conditions or the need to care for a seriously ill
family member. Please note that AmeriCorps policy states
that in order to be released from AmeriCorps enrollment for
compelling circumstances, a corps member must have been
performing satisfactorily and completed at least 15 percent
of their term (each year counts as a separate AmeriCorps
term). Anyone who leaves for reasons other than compelling
personal circumstances mid-year is considered by
AmeriCorps to be released for cause and will not be eligible
for any portion of the education award. This could include a
corps member leaving to pursue another opportunity (such
as graduate study or another job), resigning due to
dissatisfaction, wanting to be near family or significant
others, or being dismissed by Teach For America for any
reason.
CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD CHECKS AND AMERICORPS
PARTICIPATION
As required by AmeriCorps, criminal history checks will be
performed on all Teach For America corps members. These
will include both FBI and state background checks and
National Sex Offender Public Registry (NSOPR) checks.
Enrollment as an AmeriCorps member is contingent upon
review of your criminal history check. Persons convicted of
murder or are registered sex offenders will be automatically
ineligible to serve. By initialing this page, you are authorizing
Teach For America to conduct these criminal history checks
and acknowledging that Teach For America will use the
results to determine your enrollment into the program as an
AmeriCorps member.
An AmeriCorps member who is officially charged with a
violent felony or with the sale or distribution of a controlled
substance during a term of service will have his or her
service suspended without a living allowance and without
receiving credit for hours missed. You may be reinstated into
AmeriCorps service if you are found not guilty or if the charge
is dismissed. If you have been cleared of such charges but
are unable to complete your term of service within one year,
you may accept a pro-rated education award as long as you
have completed at least 15 percent of your service.
An AmeriCorps member who is convicted of a criminal
charge as described above must be terminated for cause
from the program, and will not be eligible for any portion of
an education award.
COMPLIANCE WITH THE DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE ACT
(U.S.C, 401 et seq.)
Corps members must not possess or use any illegal drugs
while participating in Teach For America, and must not
consume or be under the influence of alcoholic beverages
during the performance of service activities for Teach For
America. If it is determined that you possess, have
possessed, or have used illegal drugs during your two-year
commitment and/or were under the influence of alcoholic
beverages during service activities, you will be subject to
dismissal from Teach For America. A corps member who is
convicted of a drug offense during his/her two-year
commitment must notify his/her regional manager, teacher
leadership and development or, if occurring during the
summer institute, the senior managing director of institute
immediately.
VII. GRIEVANCE POLICIES
Teach For America has established the following procedure
for settling grievances and/or disputes between our

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organization and any corps member that occur during a
corps member’s service as an AmeriCorps member (while
enrolled in AmeriCorps). In the event that informal attempts
to resolve the dispute fail, or if the grievant chooses not to
pursue informal attempts, the following procedure will be
available. Please note that this grievance procedure is
available to any corps member enrolled and serving as an
AmeriCorps member wishing to contest a program’s ruling of
unsatisfactory performance.
INTERNAL GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
A. Timing. With the exception of grievances alleging fraud
or other criminal activity, grievances may be filed no
later than one year after the date of the alleged
occurrence. However, it is preferred that you file no later
than 60 days after the date of the alleged occurrence.
B. Initiation. The grievant should notify the general counsel
of Teach For America of the dispute in writing, setting
forth the facts of the situation, the Teach For America
policy or procedure involved, and suggestions for
resolution of the problem. The grievant should also
include with the written document any other relevant
documents and the names and phone numbers of other
parties related to the dispute. The general counsel will
communicate with the grievant to discuss the grievance
within a reasonable period of time from the date of
receiving the written document. The general counsel or
an officer of Teach For America appointed by the general
counsel will render a decision on the grievance and will
notify the grievant within a reasonable period of time.
C. Informal Dispute Resolution. If after receiving the initial
determination of a grievance, the grievant remains
unsatisfied, a grievant may elect to resolve the matter
through informal dispute resolution. Dispute resolution
proceedings must be initiated within 45 calendar days
from the date of receiving the original written document.
to the general counsel. Upon receipt of such a request,
the general counsel will appoint an officer of Teach For
America to serve as a neutral party who functions
specifically to aid the parties in resolving the matter
through a mutually achieved and acceptable written
agreement. At the initial session of the dispute
resolution proceedings, the party must be advised in
writing of the right to file a grievance and right to
arbitration. If the matter is resolved, and a written
agreement is reached, the party will agree to forego
filing a grievance in the matter under consideration.
NOTE: This process will not apply to complaints relating
 to occurrences during the institute. Please reference
Section F.
D. Formal Dispute Resolution Proceedings:
1. Proceedings before the neutral party must be
informal, and the rules of evidence will not
apply.
2. With the exception of a written and agreed upon
dispute resolution agreement, the proceeding
will be confidential.
3. If the matter is not resolved within 30 calendar
days from the date the informal dispute
resolution process began, the neutral party
must again inform the grievant of the right to
file a formal complaint. In the event the grievant
files a formal complaint, the neutral party may
not participate in the formal complaint process.
In addition, no communication or proceedings
of the informal dispute resolution process may
be referred to or introduced into evidence
during the formal complaint process or the
arbitration hearing.
4. Any decision by the neutral party is advisory
and is not binding unless both parties agree.
E. Formal Complaint Process. If the grievant is unsatisfied
by the initial decision reached by the general counsel or
appointed officer, or if the general counsel or appointed
officer fails to issue a decision within a reasonable time
period (provided that the failure to reach a decision is not
attributable to a lack of cooperation by the grievant), or if
the informal dispute resolution process fails to yield a
satisfactory result, the grievant may file a formal
complaint with the general counsel in writing within 30
calendar days of receiving the adverse or unsatisfactory
decision. The formal complaint should describe the
grievance, the steps the grievant has already taken to
resolve the matter, and any unresolved issues. The
grievant should also attach prior written submissions,
any written materials received in response, and any
other written materials relevant to the dispute. The
general counsel will designate a senior officer of the
organization to review the formal complaint. This officer
may hold an informal hearing within 30 days after receipt
of the complaint and will render a final resolution of the
complaint within 60 days from the date the grievant filed
the formal complaint.
F. Formal Complaint Process for Grievances of
Terminations Arising During Institute. For grievances

12
that occur during the institute, corps members may file a
formal complaint with the senior vice president of the
Teacher Preparation, Support, and Development team
within 10 calendar days of official termination. The
grievant should notify the senior vice president of the
Teacher Preparation, Support, and Development team of
the dispute in writing, setting forth the facts of the
situation and the Teach For America policy or procedure
involved. The grievant should also include with the
written document any other relevant documents and the
names and phone numbers of other parties related to
the termination. The senior vice president of the Teacher
Preparation, Support, and Development team or a staff
member designated by the senior vice president of the
Teacher Preparation, Support, and Development team
must communicate with the grievant to discuss the
complaint within 15 days from the date of receiving the
written document. The senior vice president of the
Teacher Preparation, Support, and Development team
will render a decision on the complaint and will notify
the grievant within 30 days from the date the grievant
filed the complaint.
ARBITRATION PROCEDURE
A. Selection of Arbitrator. If the outcome of a formal
complaint is adverse to the party who filed the grievance
or if after 60 calendar days of filing a grievance no
decision has been reached (provided that the failure to
issue a decision is not attributable to a lack of
cooperation from the grievant), the grievant may submit
the grievance to binding arbitration before a qualified
member of the National Panel of Arbitrators of the
American Arbitration Association (AAA) who is jointly
selected and who is independent of the interested
parties. Arbitration will be governed by the rules of the
AAA to the extent that such rules do not conflict with the
grievance policy set forth herein. If the parties cannot
agree on an arbitrator within 15 calendar days after
receiving a request from one of the grievance parties, the
chief executive officer of the Corporation for National
and Community Service will appoint an arbitrator from a
list of qualified arbitrators.
B. Time Limits. An arbitration proceeding must be held no
later than 45 days after the request for arbitration. A
decision must be made by the arbitrator no later than 30
calendar days after the date the arbitration proceeding
begins.
C. Cost. In accordance with 42 U.S.C. section 12636(f )(4)(D),
the cost of the arbitration proceeding must be divided
 evenly between the parties to the arbitration, unless the
party requesting a grievance proceeding prevails. If the
grieving party prevails, Teach For America must pay the
total cost of the proceeding and reasonable attorney’s
fees of the grieving party.

D. Remedies. Remedies for a grievance filed under this

grievance policy may include

1. Prohibition of a placement of a participant; and

2. If a grievance is filed regarding a proposed

placement, such placement must not be made
unless the placement is consistent with the
resolution of the grievance.

In grievance cases where there is a violation of non-

duplication or non-displacement requirements and the
employer of the displaced employee is Teach For
America, potential remedies include

1. Reinstatement of the employee to the position

he or she held prior to the displacement;

2. Payment of lost wages and benefits;

3. Re-establishment of other relevant terms,

conditions and privileges of employment; and

4. Any other equitable relief that is necessary to

correct any violation of the non-duplication or
non- displacement requirements or to make
the displaced employee whole.

E. Enforcement of Arbitration Decision. Pursuant to 42

U.S.C. section 12636(f )(7), a suit to enforce an arbitration
decision may be brought in any Federal district court
having jurisdiction over the parties without regard to the
amount in controversy or the parties’ citizenship.


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