Years ago, a few University students walked by an information table in the EMU lobby that would change their lives forever.
This week, those former students are back to recruit others for Teach For America, a two-year program that sends college graduates to teach in low-income, rural and urban communities nationwide.
University graduate and Teach For America alumnus Quinton Vance, who walked by the Teach for America information table seven years ago, is now the principal of a South Bronx middle school in New York City.
“It takes a very open-minded person to go into teaching as a young person and make the kind of changes you want to make,” he said.
Currently, 24 University graduates are in the Teach For America program, working throughout the country to help underprivileged children get a good education. A total of about 3,200 corps members work in 20 low-income, rural and urban communities.
Teachers are paid a salary through the school district where they are located and generally receive health benefits and insurance.
University graduate Sam Myers, one of the program’s campaign coordinators on campus, said the goal for the 2004-2005 school year is to hire 2,000 new teachers nationally, including 20 from the University.
“They look for people with leadership experience (and) volunteer experience.
Basically, they’re looking for people who like a challenge,” Myers said.
The application deadline is Feb. 15, and the minimum requirements are a 2.5 GPA and a bachelor’s degree. Myers said the average GPA for last year’s corps was 3.5. Students from any major can apply, he added.
According to Teach For America, 77 University students applied in 2003 and 13 were hired. Myers said the program is competitive, but there isn’t a maximum number of acceptances.
“If you apply, and you’re exactly what they’re looking for, you’re going to get in,” he said.
University graduate Acasia Wilson is now in her second year of the program, which she said has helped her to grow as a leader, a teacher and a person dedicated to a cause.
“It’s not just a program because there aren’t enough teachers,” she said. “It’s a movement.”
She said the overall purpose of the program is to address America’s inequalities. She said children in areas where the program is centered tend to have bad home lives and live in school districts with textbook shortages and weak administrations.
Wilson, who has been teaching fifth grade in Phoenix, said she’s worked with a lot of Native American students, adding that she continues to learn more about other cultures every day.
Wilson said she made sure to locate Native American University students to tell them about the program.
“We’re always looking for more diversity in the program,” she said, adding that a diverse group of teachers can relate better to a diverse group of students. She said her goal as a teacher is to instill a sense of cultural awareness in her students.
Myers said one reason he decided to apply for the program is he wanted to be a part of a “civil rights movement.”
“I thought it sounded like a great opportunity,” he said.
Myers graduated fall term with a degree in journalism and will teach English at a middle school in Philadelphia next fall.
He said teaching is a different story, although he has worked with children through other programs.
“The biggest stress comes from not knowing what it’s going to be like entering the class,” he said.
Vance said the program gives people the opportunity to help others, and those who want to make a difference should apply.
“It helps you to help individuals,” he said. “They truly have the ability to change someone’s life.”
Students who want to learn more about the program can attend an alumni panel discussion today at 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the EMU Walnut Room. The Teach For America information table will be in the EMU lobby from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Friday.