By joining Teach For America you can use your academic background and perspective to have a significant impact on students, and build a critical foundation for a career pioneering technology innovation in our society. There is an urgent need in our schools for individuals who have a comfort level with mathematics and science—particularly expertise in technology—that enables them to bring these subjects to life for students. Teach For America alumni who pursue careers in technology say that the skills they gained in the corps have given them the leadership, communication skills, and confidence necessary to excel in dynamic work environments. Moreover, they bring a unique and valued perspective on how their companies and academic institutions can leverage their technological and financial resources to help address the educational disparities that persist in our country. For those interested in pioneering new frontiers in technology that make a massive societal difference, Teach For America is a perfect first step; technology innovation is a resource that could revolutionize our schools, yet it remains virtually untapped.
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Alumnus perspective | |
Graduate school and employer partnerships |
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In college, I volunteered as a tutor at several under-performing
local elementary schools. I was very lucky to go to high-performing
schools throughout my life, and tutoring was the first time I faced
the realities of low-income schools. I had received a generous
scholarship to Carnegie Mellon, and I felt the need to give back
to the community. Immediately upon graduation, I went to work
in the high-tech arena, but after three years in the industry, I
began to lose my focus and inspiration. I always knew I wanted to
share my love of science, and that love combined with my tutoring
experience motivated me to join Teach For America.
My school had two half-day sessions where we taught mathematics and science to a range of students from the top magnet schools and the highest-need public schools. We expected them all to do highlevel work. I worried about being effective in the classroom, but other corps members and teachers at my school were very helpful in sharing material and discussing what was and wasn’t working. Because of my science background, I was able to explain the material in multiple ways so that everyone could understand it. The teachers who taught my students the following year said my kids were much better prepared than the previous class had been. Upon reaching the 11th grade, my students took the required state test, and 90 percent passed the science portion.
I also served as the computer resource teacher at my school, and I dealt with a lot of bad software and had difficulty finding teaching materials. I knew I could use my computer skills to help fix these problems, and that’s why I went to work at Google. We’re improving education by making information more accessible, and we do a great deal of work with educators. Because of my teaching experience, I can clearly communicate ideas, which is extremely important in the technology field.
I definitely have a sense of being part of a broader movement. I
attended the first Amgen-Teach For America Mathematics and
Science Summit, and it was so good to talk about education and
flesh out ideas with other alumni. It’s rewarding and inspiring to
hear all the things alumni are doing within the education field and
in other fields to work toward the Teach For America mission.
My Teach For America experience was life-changing. The
achievement gap became a core part of my understanding of
the world, and it’s something I now see everywhere I look. I’m
constantly thinking about what I can do to push for change.
Because of the kids in my classroom, I feel personally invested in
seeing that all kids have the opportunity to succeed.
Learn more about alumni effecting fundamental change
Teach For America corps members exhibit the creativity, leadership abilities, and civic consciousness that we place such a premium on. Providing these grads with the opportunity to spend two transformative years teaching in low-income communities across the country is not only the right thing to do, but the smart thing to do, as they will arrive at Google with an excellent skill set developed in a demanding work environment and a greater commitment to the larger world.
- Laszlo Bock
Vice President of People Operations, Google
A growing number of engineering graduate programs partner with Teach For America to offer special benefits for corps members and alumni. These partners recognize that alumni have gone through a highly selective process and have engaged in a challenging professional experience. Click here to search our complete database. For employer partnerships, click here.
The following schools allow two-year deferrals to individuals considering programs in a technology-related field:
Our alumni
Career services
Alumni Summits
