A Teach For America (TFA) information spotlight was held Wednesday night in the Cape Cod Lounge for prospective applicants.
TFA is a program that recruits at universities across America, placing recent graduates in two-year teaching jobs in the country's lowest-income schools.
Wednesday's event featured the University of Massachusetts' TFA Recruitment Director Tim Visser, an alum of Amherst College and TFA. Visser taught in the neighborhood of Little Haiti in Miami, Fla.
The information session had a sizable turnout of prospective applicants. Many who attended asked Visser a broad range of questions on topics from the work environment to the benefits TFA can have on one's future.
The night began with a short video following a typical day in the life of a TFA corps member. The video followed three teachers and their daily routines, spotlighting their effort and dedication through their often long hours at school and how they're noticing the impact they have on the lives of their students.
Visser spoke about his own experiences working in Miami. He highlighted some of his personal triumphs with inspiring stories about his former students, the effect he had on their lives and the life-changing experiences he'll never forget.
"I believe educational inequality is our nation's greatest injustice." Visser said. "This problem is solvable and we can help change it. In New Orleans, for example, one-third of all the students in the recovery area are taught by a TFA corps member."
Throughout the information session, the focus remained on leadership.
"Leadership, past achievements and getting things done, these are all qualities that Teach For America looks for in a candidate," Visser said. "People with respect for the communities we go into, and those who recognize what needs to be done."
TFA looks for leaders looking to make a difference, and the program brings with it a broad range of benefits. TFA hones a candidate's leadership skills in a fast-paced work environment right out of college.
TFA currently has over 6,200 corps members teaching in 29 regions of the country, reaching out to over 400,000 kids. Their mission is to enlist promising future leaders and eliminate the educational inequality in America. Members are fully-paid teachers who are placed in low-income communities across the nation.
TFA has over 14,000 alumni, in all fields and disciplines, working to make a change.
One of their most notable alums is Michelle Rhee, Chancellor of the Washington D.C. public school system. Rhee is making drastic changes to the Washington D.C. teaching system. In her first year in office, test score levels rose drastically.
Two of President-elect Barack Obama's top education advisors are also notable TFA alumni.
TFA places their corps members in classrooms, teaching various subjects in the K-12 level. Visser focused on the crucial subjects needed in the classroom.
"Currently, there's a specific need for math and science teachers in these communities." he said.
Applying for TFA is a three-part process including an online application, a phone interview, and a full-day, in-person interview. Applicants are also reminded to apply during their senior year of undergraduate studies. Applicants can be of any academic concentration and do not need prior teaching experience.
The 2009 TFA application deadline is today, Nov. 7. Those who miss this deadline can apply for the third deadline on Jan. 7.
Applications can be found online at TeachforAmerica.org.
The event was co-sponsored by Phi Sigma Pi National Honors Fraternity, CCEBMS office and the Malcolm X Cultural Center.
Vincent Capone can be reached at vcapone@student.umass.edu.
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