Teach for America week kicks off today

In 1989, Teach for America had only a handful of active members. Now, 14 years later, the organization has more than 3,100 corps members in more than 20 locations across the nation. That evolution is thanks in large part to recruitment efforts at universities like IU, where TFA week begins today, looking to enroll new volunteers.\nThroughout the week, events will highlight participation in the national organization to prepare future graduates interested in TFA for the final application deadline, Feb. 15.\nChuck Salter, director of IU recruitment for TFA, said he anticipates the upcoming week will bring in more students to participate in the organization.\n"Twenty seniors have already been accepted into the 2004 corps," Salter said. "We're hoping to get many more from IU for our second deadline on Feb. 15."\nSalter said, out of all the schools involved in applying to TFA, IU provides the second-highest number of applications.\n"IU is definitely a top TFA school," he said.\nTFA calls upon recent college graduates to dedicate two years to teach in low-income communities, according to their official Web site, www.teachforamerica.org.\nGraduating senior Mamie Doyle has been accepted into the first deadline for the 2004 TFA corps. She will be teaching in Philadelphia this fall and is excited to begin her experience. \n"I just think it's a great program to give children a chance at an excellent opportunity and a great way to get into the issue (of bettering America's education system)," said Doyle. "I want to obviously do the best I can for them (the schools and children) and learn as much as I can about education in low-income places. I hope to eventually work on policy changes." \nWith a mission to rid America of educational inequity, TFA is particularly selective in choosing college graduates, Salter said.\n"It's based on a vigorous criterion and is open to all majors," Salter said. "We look for students who show academic achievement and leadership -- it's a fairly complex rubric."\nThe search for TFA educators focuses on a specific type of graduate to fit the position. \n"Essentially, we expect corps members to be highly capable people who can be teachers and teacher-leaders," Salter said. "They have to go the extra mile to help teachers in the district face a lack of resources, sometimes a lack of health care and other issues that plague socio-economic people."\nAs hard as the organization works to find ideal teachers coming out of college, applicants work just as hard. Doyle said though it's a long, hard process, it's very rewarding. \n"It's a rigorous process -- first there's an online application with essays, then they review the application and set up interviews. The interview process is the most intense part -- I had to plan a lesson, read articles, talk about education issues -- then there's a one-on-one interview." \nThe application process, although selective, pays off in the end, Salter said. TFA aids graduates in job placement after their commitment in the corps is completed.\n"They're being hired because they're Teach for America teachers," he said. "They (employers) hire them because of (their involvement) and knowing they did it."\nA CNN Screening and Alumni Panel will take place from 8 to 9:30 p.m. tonight in Woodburn Hall, Room 120. Information sessions will be held from 8 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday in Morrison Hall, Room 007.\nFor more information about TFA, go to www.teachforamerica.org, or to schedule a meeting, contact Salter at chuck.salter@teachforamerica.org.