ONE DAY all children in this nation will have the opportunity to acquire an excellent education. One day, perhaps. Today, however, children in our country's urban and rural areas do not share the same opportunities as those children in wealthier areas. As a result, children in low-income areas have academic achievement rates far below children of high-income areas. The difference is visible in the students' respective test scores, grades, course selection and college completion rates, and the gap gets wider each day.
What explains this gap? For the last several years, I tried finding the answer to that question. Many of my friends continued their education by attending law school or medical school. Others became management consultants or systems analysts. I chose to join Teach For America. For three years, I taught fourth and fifth graders in Washington, D.C.
My students were bright. Their parents were loving and caring. My colleagues were hard-working. However, the students in my school face tremendous challenges that students in high-income areas simply do not. While we all should agree that all children deserve the same opportunities, the structure of our educational system is not currently set up to meet this goal.
This is where Teach For America steps in. Teach For America recruits individuals who have the energy and commitment to do whatever it takes to level the playing field for children in low-income areas. After an intensive summer training session, new teachers enter our country's under-resourced schools for a two-year commitment and join the valuable educators already present in the community to help reach our mission.
|
A second goal of Teach For America is to create a network of such individuals all across the country within different career fields who are committed to improving our nation's education system. After your two-year commitment, some corps members continue teaching. Others return to professional schools, and many secure opportunities in other career fields. I chose to enter law school. However, among us is a common thread. We all have the experience of being a classroom teacher for at least two years. Therefore, those of us who continue to become attorneys, business owners, doctors, consultants, professors or politicians take with us our experience as educators.
Some of you might be contemplating other career opportunities, as did I. After serving as president of Student Council, and after having completed internships in different branches of our government, I was on the "track" to law school and politics. Though my goal was to eventually become an attorney, I knew that I needed some perspective. I needed to take a couple years off from school before continuing that goal. What better way to spend those years than to fulfill a passion and serve the country at the same time?
If you have any doubts as to the impact Teach For America corps members can have on the children, let me share with you the experiences of a several corps members.
One teacher in Louisiana was able to lead 85 percent of her fourth grade class to read at or above grade level. A teacher in rural North Carolina was able to guide 70 percent of her seventh grade language arts class pass the eighth grade writing assessment test.
A corps member in California is currently being considered for a Teacher of the Year award given by Disney. He was nominated by his students, parents and colleagues for the award. During the school year, he was able to have his fifth grade class raise $35,000 through grants and fundraisers in order to take a trip to Washington, D.C.
We are looking for students who possess qualities such as responsibility, commitment, integrity, sensitivity, as well as good writing, thinking and speaking skills. We are looking for potential corps members who share our vision and our mission. Furthermore, we are looking for students who have the passion it takes to be an effective leader and teacher.
Teach For America was perfect for me. In fact, there are many "untapped" passionate teachers among the community here at the University. Those individuals usually know their own passion. Follow it. Our children need you. Our society's future very much depends on you.
We will be having an information session on Monday, Oct. 1, at Madison House from 7-8 p.m. In addition, we will be visiting different organizations and classes on Grounds. In the meantime, if you have questions, please feel free to contact Teach For America at 1-800-832-1230 or at our Web site, www.teachforamerica.org.
(Scot Fishman is a second-year law student. He is an alumni recruiter for Teach For America.)
Read More
UPADHYAYA: The Great and not-so-Good sides of U.Va.’s 2030 housing plan
By Apal Upadhyaya | YesterdayInstead of improving the dire state of existing infrastructure, however, the University has shifted attention away from it and chosen to expand.
EDITORIAL: Support low-barrier shelters in Charlottesville
By Editorial Board | YesterdayInvesting in low-barrier shelters now will pay off in increased stability for the homeless, which will undoubtedly improve the safety of shelters and the community writ large.
SHRAUGER: McIntire’s three-year model limits opportunities for first-year students
By Alex Shrauger | 3 days agoBy pigeonholing students into commerce so early, the University violates its own mission of providing a holistic education that produces students capable of succeeding in a variety of fields.
