Without a doubt, Teach For China will be one of the most challenging experiences of your life. It is also an unparalleled opportunity to grow as a leader and make a direct impact on the lives of children who need your help.
As a Fellow, you will be placed as a full-time teacher in an under-resourced school in desperate need of more teachers. You will teach a full course-load, similar to that of other local teachers. All Fellows receive a full monthly salary, commensurate with local teachers’ salaries in the regions where they work.
Fellows are provided housing and international health insurance free of charge. Most Fellows live in dormitory-style accommodations on campus, although some Fellows live in private apartments near their schools. Housing is simple and in line with local standards of living. That means some Fellows may experience periodic power outages, use Chinese-style (“squat”) toilets, or may not always have access to hot water. All Fellows have internet access on campus, and will work alongside other Teach For China Fellows at their schools. Fellows are clustered in counties with other Teach For China schools and frequently meet up on weekends or after class to socialize with their colleagues.
Fellows typically teach 6-12 hours in the classroom a week. Our Fellows also understand that to truly change their students’ lives, they must work many more hours out of class to prepare lessons, meet with students and their families, and develop other opportunities for them. This is an intense workload, but we know it is critical if we want every child to succeed. Classrooms vary greatly in size, but our Fellows generally teach between 35 and 90 students per class.
Each of our Fellows has a unique experience with Teach For China. This is because no team, placement community, or student is alike. Here are some stories about what life is like for our Fellows.