Our 12,000 alumni are a leadership force - working from within education and from every sector to effect fundamental change.

Teach For America Chicago Alumni Summit

Saturday, May 8, 2010
Henry Ford Academy: Power House High
931 South Homan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois

Chicago alumni gathered together on Saturday, May 8, 2010 to hear and learn from each other in addition to other leaders in education, policy, and a variety of professional arenas. The day provided a forum for alumni to reconnect with colleagues, access skills and knowledge in specific fields of expertise, and network with hundreds of professionals who are deeply committed to our mission and education reform in Chicago and Northwest Indiana.

Program at a glance
12:30 - 1:30 p.m.	Registration
1:30 - 2:45 p.m.	Welcome and Opening Panel The day began with a celebration of the impact our corps members and alumni have made in Chicago and Northwest Indiana, including a reflection from a second-generation corps member. In the morning panel, education reform leaders discussed the current state of education in Chicago and shared their views about what is working now, the conditions that have made this change possible, the barriers that are preventing success at scale, and what they think are the most important steps for us to take to ensure every child in the Chicago region can attain an excellent education.
3:00 - 4:15 p.m.	Breakout sessions Sessions provided alumni the opportunity to explore topics central to closing the achievement gap and access leadership development opportunities. We engaged important, diverse perspectives - from each other and from other leaders in education, academia, politics, community activism, and beyond.
4:30 - 5:45 p.m.	Closing Session The closing session explored how far we’ve come in the ten years since we began placing corps members in the Chicago region, the critical questions facing us, and the road ahead for each of us to make an impact. An alum kicked off the session with a reflection on how her corps experience transformed her perspectives and continues to influence the work she does. Two alumni were presented with the Distinguished Service Award, which is given annually to Teach For America alumni whose work is making the deepest and/or broadest contribution to educational equity within our region. The day concluded with a call to action, pushing our thinking about what our alumni base can do to collectively to make an impact now and in the years to come.
5:45 - 7:30 p.m.	Reception Fellow alumni and guests joined together to network and celebrate the progress and potential of our collective impact.

Questions? Email jessica.borchert@teachforamerica.org.