ARMENIAN EDUCATION CRISIS
Armenia is facing an educational crisis. Every year there are more than 600 teaching vacancies across the system, especially in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Some schools, particularly in rural communities, have gone without STEM teachers for years on end.
More than ever, Armenia must invest in STEM, and we must start with our public school students. The future of our nations depends on it.
WHAT IS TECH4ARMENIA?
Tech4Armenia (T4A) is a collaborative initiative between Teach For Armenia and Armenia’s leading technological companies. In short, we are working together to provide tech sector staff members at partner companies the opportunity to work remotely with flexible hours so that they can also teach in Armenia’s rural public schools with Teach For Armenia.
In addition to attracting existing talent from the tech sector into our two-year Teacher Leadership Program (a.k.a. “Program”), Teach For Armenia is also partnering with the Armenian Code Academy to train our alumni to become programmers who aspire to work in educational technology.
WHY SHOULD TECH COMPANIES JOIN T4A?
TALENT PIPELINE
Your ability to grow as a tech company depends on a scarce talent pool. Instead of importing talent from abroad, you can help build a pipeline of homegrown professionals.
REGIONAL REACH
Teach For Armenia places in more than 100 communities across the country. By placing your staff in our partner schools, you will have direct access to potential talent.
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Amid the pandemic and the aftermath of the war, your organization will play a critical role in elevating Armenia’s position in the world. As a partner to Teach For Armenia, you will attract talent that not only has the right skills but also cares about the development of the country.
WHY SHOULD I JOIN AS A T4A TEACHER-LEADER?
The T4A experience provides you with the unique opportunity to grow as a leader, contribute to the development of Armenia, while continuing to develop your skills as a tech professional. Through the Program, you will:
Be given the opportunity to work remotely by your current employer with flexible work hours;
Continue to receive a salary from your current employer;
Receive additional financial assistance from Teach For Armenia in order to teach in one of Teach For Armenia’s partner communities;
Earn additional payment for your teaching hours;
Remain engaged in the tech sector through your current employer;
Participate in ongoing professional and leadership development through Teach For Armenia;
Receive one-on-one coaching from a Leadership Development Manager;
Have the opportunity to apply for funding through Teach For Armenia's Innovation Accelerator, including Káits (Armenia's first incubator dedicated to education).
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
I am a tech professional interested in joining Teach For Armenia’s Program & my company supports it. How many hours will I be expected to teach?
In regard to their commitment to Teach For Armenia, T4A Teacher-Leaders can expect to teach 7 hours per week while spending 2 hours on training as well as professional development. Regarding extracurricular activities as well as lesson preparation, T4A Teacher-Leaders will be provided the flexibility to determine how best to manage their time. Each participating company will then work with their participating staff members to determine how best to balance their company-related duties.
Will I be expected to live in the community where I teach?
Yes, all Teach For Armenia Teacher-Leaders are expected to live in the regions where they teach. We believe that in order to spark innovation that is truly meaningful, it is important to work and live alongside the community and your students.
Do I need teaching credentials to join?
Through Teach For Armenia’s intensive summer training program called Teacher Leadership Academy, we aim to provide you with a certificate that would qualify you to teach in a public school setting.
What can I expect in terms of the summer training program?
Typically, Teacher Leadership Academy (which happens during the summer prior to the start of the Program) spans 7 weeks, with 3 of the weeks requiring a full-time commitment and the others average 4 hours a day. For the T4A Teacher-Leaders, the Teacher Leadership Academy is expanded to 9 weeks so that only 1 week is full-time. In this scenario, the T4A Teacher-Leaders start their training 2 weeks ahead of the remaining Teach For Armenia cohort. It is important to note that all sessions during the half-time weeks occur in the mornings so that the T4A Teacher-Leaders can concentrate on their work in the afternoons as well as Program-related tasks. Out of the 9 weeks, only the full-time week (known as Regional Orientation) is done in person; The remainder of Teacher Leadership Academy is conducted online.
What is the time commitment for the ongoing training program?
Throughout the first year of the Program, the T4A Teacher-Leaders will complete a series of self-guided modules that can be done remotely. The modules cover pedagogy as well as training in community innovation. Each module consists of a 25-minute video, as well as a task that typically takes 2 hours to complete. Each month, Teacher-Leaders can expect 2 modules focused on pedagogy, and 1 module focused on community innovation. In addition to the self-guided modules, all Teacher-Leaders convene four times a year for regional and national gatherings, which typically take place during holidays or the weekend.
What types of extracurricular activities can I run?
As T4A Teacher-Leader, you are encouraged to create opportunities for your students to connect with the work that you do with your employer. For example, if you are a coder, you can teach an after school coding course. Additionally, Teach For Armenia’s Teacher-Leaders are also encouraged to support their students to implement tech-focused Student-Led Innovation Projects through Change-Based Learning.
Can I apply for funding to launch ideas through Teach For Armenia?
During your first year in the Program, you will get the opportunity to apply for a microgrant to implement a small scale Student-Led Innovation Project (i.e. AMD 200,000). At the end of your first year, you can then build on this and apply to the Community Innovation Fund for a larger award of $1,000. By the time you complete the Program and become an Alumni-Ambassador, you can then be considered for Káits, Teach For Armenia’s Social Innovation Incubator, through which you can receive seed funding of approximately $10,000.
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I already completed the two-year Teacher Leadership Program and I am interested in learning how to code. How do I join the courses with the Armenian Code Academy?
Please contact alumni@teachforarmenia.org.
