Washington Week: Student Voices (O)

Teach for America helping low-income communities
By Kara Romagnino
The Lantern (Ohio State U.)
05/22/2006

(U-WIRE) COLUMBUS, Ohio — Seventy-four percent of all teachers participating in the Teach For America program are ranked more effective than other beginning teachers, according to the TFA Web site. This research might help explain why more than 3,500 people are currently participating in the program at more than 1,000 schools across the country.

TFA was established in 1990 as a grassroots campaign by Wendy Kopp, then a Princeton University undergraduate. The national corps dedicates two years to teaching in rural and urban public schools, particularly in low-income communities.

Phil Maher, an Ohio State University student in chemistry, said the statistical evidence in support of the program was a strong motivator for his decision.

"Just noticing the trends they mention was helpful," he said.

According to a study conducted by Mathematica Policy Research Inc., TFA corps members gain more in math than other teachers while achieving equal gains in reading. In addition, a study done by Kane, Parsons & Associates concluded that a majority of principals rated TFA members as good or excellent on 18 indicators of good teaching.

According to the TFA Web site, there are no specific degree requirements to apply to the program, except that a bachelor's degree must been earned. Students from all academic and personal backgrounds are welcome to join the program.

"Although Teach For America is selective, there is not one mold that every corps member fits into," said Ohio State Campaign Manager Ann Zarick in an e-mail.

Ann Foisy, a corps member finishing her second year in Las Vegas, said she joined TFA because she was looking for a way to benefit others after college.

"I wanted my post-graduate experience to be one where I had a huge impact," Foisy said.

Foisy, who graduated from OSU with a psychology degree in 2004, said TFA applicants should be self-motivated toward personal goals. She also said strong leadership skills are valued by the program.

"It suits you very well in a classroom if you've led a student organization because you already know how to lead a group toward a goal," Foisy said.

Foisy said TFA helped her gain insight into the problems facing the education field, adding that the experience was one of the most rewarding things she has done.

Maher said he hopes the program will help him develop his teaching skills.

"It seems like good teachers are ones who are constantly driven and motivated by the prospect of a student eventually learning difficult material or something they hadn't previously understood," Maher said. "Teach For America is a good balance of everything I was looking for."

For more information on Teach For America, visit the national Web site at teachforamerica.org.

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