With your academic background and perspective, you could have a significant impact on students and schools, and two years in Teach For America can serve as 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 an expertise in technology-that enables them to bring these subjects to life for students. Your time in Teach For America can make an immediate impact on students and schools, and inform your career in important ways. Alumni who have pursued careers in technology say that the skills they gained as a teacher have given them the leadership, communication skills, and the confidence necessary to excel in dynamic work environments. Moreover, you will bring a unique and valued perspective on how your company or academic institution can leverage its technological and financial resources to help address the educational disparities that persist in our country. Finally, for those interested in pioneering new frontiers in technology that make a massive societal difference, Teach For America is the perfect first step; technology innovation could revolutionize our schools and yet it is virtually an untapped resource. With your technology background and an understanding of the ground-level needs in education, you have the potential to change that.
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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 was faced with the realities of low-performing schools. I had received a generous scholarship to Carnegie Mellon, and I felt the need to give back to the community. At first I wanted to work in the high-tech arena, however after some time in the industry I began to lose my focus. I always knew that I wanted to share my love of science, and so I joined Teach For America.
My school was a half-day math/science program with a range of students from the top magnet schools and the highest-need public schools. We expected them all to do high-level 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 different 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. My students took a state test once they reached the eleventh grade, and 90 percent passed the science portion. I was also the computer resource teacher at my school, and I dealt with a lot of bad software and 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 Math 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 both 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 students have the opportunity to succeed.
Learn more about alumni effecting fundamental change
Teach For America and the Kennedy School at Harvard share a simple yet powerful belief: that each of us can make the world a better place. At the Kennedy School, Teach For America alumni can build upon the insight and experience gained in the classroom to prepare to become leaders in solving our country's most compelling social and public problems.
- David Ellwood
Dean, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
A growing number of graduate schools and corporations in a wide variety of fields partner with Teach For America to offer special benefits for corps members and alumni. They know that alumni have gone through a highly selective process and have engaged in a challenging professional experience. Below is a list of partnerships available for engineering graduate programs. Click here to search our complete database. For employer partnerships, click here.
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