Teach for America

I have been meaning to write about Teach for America (hence forth referred to as TFA) for quite sometime. Anyone and everyone who spends time with me hears all about it and those closest to me are sick of hearing about it. #nodoubt. I think the reason I have postponed this writing is because I want to do it justice. I want to fully explain this organization that I love so much.

Teach for America is a non-profit organization that recruits college graduates (recent or otherwise) to teach in schools across this country with low graduation rates, low achievement scores, and basically... low budgets. The application process is intense as is the experience. If you are accepted into the program you will be assigned a grade level, a subject, and a location. You will spend the next two years teaching in that school. TFA teachers are hired and paid by the school district they teach in and act in every way as your normal, everyday teacher.

TFA's Mission: We Can provide an excellent education for kids in low-income communities.

Although 15 million American children face the extra challenges of poverty, an increasing body of evidence shows they can achieve at the highest levels.

TFA teachers have done amazing things. They have changed individuals, classes, schools, and entire districts. TFA has teachers in approx. 43 cities across the country. Thousands of children are given a better shot at life because of TFA.

For me, TFA is a chance to make a difference. A chance to give back. A chance to change the world! I believe in those kids, in their potential, in their future.

I love this organization so much. I believe in it. Every year the United States sends thousands of volunteers and millions of aid dollars to foreign countries to help their unfed, poor and uneducated. No one is ever going to send volunteers to our country to help our poor and uneducated: it is up to us. This country depends on its children, they are our future. If we settle for a culture of mediocrity we will continue down this slippery slope.

....

I have a phone interview in about 3.5 days. I am so nervous. I want this SO bad, more than I've ever wanted anything. Last year 11% of applicants were accepted. I pray to be part of that 11%. Please pray for me, I can use all the help I can get (in settling my nerves and portraying myself in the best possible light).