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Teaching group looks to inspire
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Also by Becky Vevea:
- Lecture explores biblical studies, media portrayals (November 6, 2007)
- UW students take on homelessness (November 2, 2007)
- Authors discuss 'Army of None' (September 26, 2007)
- Teaching group looks to inspire (September 20, 2007)
- Council turns down Greeks (September 13, 2007)
Related Stories:
- Madison aims to top 'Teach' list (October 31, 2007)
- Reaching out to poor America (December 5, 2006)
- Teach for America appeals to UW students (October 16, 2002)
- Students prepare for teaching jobs (March 4, 2005)
- Teach for America founder speaks (October 21, 2004)
by Becky Vevea
Thursday, September 20, 2007
University of Wisconsin students gathered Tuesday night to hear stories from previous Teach for America participants and find out how to become teachers for the nation's low-income communities.
Guest speaker and UW alumnus Garrett Bucks shared his experience teaching a 5th grade class in Gallup, N.M.
After two years with Teach for America, Bucks said he decided to continue teaching in New Mexico. This year he chose to work for the program recruiting new teachers.
Bucks described the experience as life-changing.
"It challenges you even if you are used to challenges," Bucks said.
This year's event was the largest Teach for America kick-off ever on the UW campus, with more than 80 students in attendance.
UW senior Kelli Packard said she is interested in the program because her human development major emphasizes the importance of education.
Since the program began 16 years ago, more than 2.5 million children have been taught by 17,000 Teach for America participants, according to the organization's website.
"Teach for America serves about the same number of students as Chicago schools do, making it the third largest school district in the nation," Bucks said.
Teach for America recognizes educational inequity as the greatest problem facing the nation. According to the organization, only 50 percent of students in low-income communities will graduate from high school.
Teach for America recruits college graduates of all majors to commit to teaching for two years in a low-income community.
The application process consists of online submission of a résumé, letter of interest and a personal essay. After the online portion is complete, applicants must go through a phone interview followed by a face-to-face interview.
There currently are 29 placement regions for volunteers including New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles, as well as more rural areas like the Mississippi Delta. During the application process, interested students are allowed to rank their preference of placement in order to ensure they are committed to and excited about their upcoming experience.
Once admitted, applicants are notified of their placement and given three weeks to accept or decline their participation.
All participants receive full benefits and salary during their two years in the program, as well as help transitioning between graduation and teaching.
Teach for America has graduate school partners in all areas of study, including University of Chicago Law School, Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Master of Business Administration program and Stanford University School of Medicine.
Teach for America is also partners with 20 leading employers in the nation, including Google, General Electric and Wachovia. These partnerships offer such programs as mentorships and summer internships.
Bucks said these partnerships are evidence of changing values regarding education in America.
Correction: Due to a reporting error, this article should not have cited Garrett Bucks as a UW student. We regret the error.
Anonymous (September 20, 2007 @ 8:11am):
As a current TFA teacher and UW alum, I can tell you that this program is nothing what it claims to be. Do your research, talk to actual TFA teachers, and don't believe anything the recruiter says. STAY AWAY
Anonymous (September 20, 2007 @ 7:23pm):
To Anonymous: What have your biggest challenges be? Do you not feel supported by the TFA staff in your region? Where are you located?
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