Perspective | We need AmeriCorps so students can thrive

AmeriCorps is a vital engine for progress in our state and across the country. The decision in April to eliminate $400 million in AmeriCorps funding nationwide represents a major setback. Specifically, these cuts disrupt support for our very own students who need it most.

For organizations like Teach For America (TFA), where I began my teaching career five years ago, AmeriCorps funding is foundational. These grants enable the organization to bring thousands of passionate, capable individuals into classrooms where the need is greatest; just this past school year, I supported the recruitment of 28 educators into the program who will start in classrooms next year. TFA corps members, who consistently drive strong outcomes for students, count on the AmeriCorps education award to offset costs associated with teacher training, certification, and continued learning. 

Indeed, for me, AmeriCorps funding was one of the main reasons I originally accepted my Teach For America offer. The funding allowed me to pay back my undergraduate student loans in full and use the remaining funds to cover my residency teaching license program at East Carolina University. AmeriCorps funding brought me into the classroom and has allowed me to stay as a fully licensed teacher. 

Plans to eliminate this funding will jeopardize the placement of approximately 2,500 new teachers nationwide — including hundreds in North Carolina — at a time when communities are already grappling with serious educator shortages. This is especially critical in northeastern North Carolina, where recruitment is more difficult due to our rural setting and proximity to Virginia. For our region, AmeriCorps funding is a vital incentive that helps attract high-quality educators who may not otherwise consider serving in our schools. Without it, many classrooms may go unfilled, leaving students without the dedicated teachers they deserve.

Personally, this brings back memories of my second year of teaching in 2021, when my school, Wellcome Middle, lost nearly two-thirds of our staff by the end of the year due to the overwhelming burden of the teacher shortage. That same year, I was responsible for teaching the entire social studies curriculum to both 6th and 7th grade students — nearly 300 students on one second-year teacher’s roster. It was exhausting and disheartening, and I seriously considered leaving the profession.

Cutting AmeriCorps funding risks recreating those conditions — fueling the teacher shortage and pushing already exhausted educators to the brink.

While Teach For America is working to mitigate the immediate impact on current corps members and their classrooms, these stopgap measures are not a long-term solution. The loss of AmeriCorps funding creates serious concerns for future corps members — many of whom are navigating student debt or are the first in their families to attend college.

Termination of these grants doesn’t simply impact our educator pipeline — it jeopardizes the entire local education system, including critical programs like CareCorps. In a state like North Carolina, where 78 of our 100 counties are classified as rural by the NC Rural Center, these programs are essential. They not only strengthen the educator pipeline but also play a vital role in expanding student achievement and providing much-needed support in under-resourced communities.

Without these programs, children in rural areas will suffer the loss of individualized support, and the already limited staff will face an even greater burden in trying to meet students’ academic and emotional needs. Eliminating this funding means stripping away both opportunity and stability from the students and schools that need it most.

At a broader level, AmeriCorps serves as a powerful gateway to public service, especially for younger generations motivated by purpose and impact. It doesn’t just support individuals — it uplifts communities and strengthens our civic fabric.

Every dollar invested in AmeriCorps returns $17 in economic value. Far from being a financial drain, national service is a cost-effective force for economic and social good. The program empowers local communities to lead on the issues that matter most to them.

Cutting AmeriCorps undermines our ability to solve problems together. If we care about the future of education, we must protect and expand national service opportunities. Let’s ensure that those ready to serve have the support they need to answer the call by calling our elected representatives and asking them to preserve AmeriCorps funding. I know I wouldn’t be here today without it.