Students looking to 'Teach for America'

IU students searching for a job may find their answer in Teach For America, which not only provides students with valuable job experience, but gives them a chance to make a difference.\nTeach For America provides graduating students a chance to involve themselves in bettering the academics of today's youths. In the program, students who are accepted work as teachers in inner-city schools. Often the children they teach do not receive equal education opportunities because of their low-income status. \n"The program is inspiring," said Amy Orringer, who became a member of Teach For America after graduating from IU last year. The program looks for recently graduating students from a notable university to devote two years teaching within one of 20 designated national regions. \n"The program provided me with an easy transition into a career," Orringer said. \nApplications are accepted and considered when a student's performance communally meets a 2.5 GPA or higher, in any major. Once accepted, students begin seminars, workshops, discussions and activities to prepare for the hands on fieldwork of teaching within a public school system. Through this program, graduates get a chance to explore career options and continue their education, while helping children grow both intellectually and socially.\nAccording to the Teach For America Web site, thousands of individuals compete for new member positions each year. In 2003, 1,700 applicants were accepted. Next year, Teach For America anticipates 2,000 new members will join the network. \nLora Cover, director of national recruitment and a 1996 member, said the process may be selective, but not competitive. Teach For America looks for students who can set goals and succeed, face challenges, and take on important leadership skills.\nSummer training periods last for an intensive five weeks, preparing graduates to handle classroom situations with proper edict and ease. \n"Through Teach For America participants become part of a team network," Cover said.\nShe said members of the program share ideas and work to become better teachers. "You support one another," Cover said. \nIU's School of Public and Environmental Affairs' graduate school program offers six hours to students who have completed Teach for America requirements, according to the SPEA Web site.\n"Teach For America alums make excellent graduate students," said Richard Nourie, SPEA graduate recruitment coordinator. "They have personal experience in rural and urban communities which suffer from great social and economic inequities. The poise and insight this has given them is a great foundation for further study or in pursuing professional opportunities. SPEA encourages all students who have an interest in making a difference in underserved communities to apply."\nRepresentatives from the program visit many universities throughout the year. They recruit college students, answer questions and offer internships. Teach For America has visited IU this month and will return from 7 to 8 p.m. Nov. 11 at Whittenberger Auditorium in the Indiana Memorial Union and from 7 to 8p.m. Jan. 21. \n-- Contact staff writer Jeanine Murray at jlmurray@indiana.edu.