Contact: Cynthia Robbins| 980-343-1081, 704-634-5136
Kathleen Bell | 980-343-0472, 704-506-1731
Carmen Bray | 980-343-1140, 704-634-7583
     All of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | 980-343-3647 (fax)

 

For Immediate Release

SPANGLER GIFT WILL BRING TEACHERS

Foundation's $4 million gift extends Teach For America in CMS

CHARLOTTE, N.C., October 22, 2007—An initiative to recruit top teachers to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools received a $4 million boost today, thanks to the C.D. Spangler Foundation.

The Charlotte-based foundation announced it will give $4 million to Teach For America, a national corps of outstanding recent college graduates who commit two years to teach in urban and rural public schools. The money will add another 70 Teach For America corps members to the 80 already planned for the next two years in CMS, which has identified teacher recruitment and retention -- especially in high poverty schools -- as one of its most critical needs.

The new teachers will start next school year and will serve in high-poverty schools in CMS that traditionally have struggled to recruit and retain top teachers. Teach For America corps members graduate from many of the nation's most prestigious universities with an average GPA of 3.6 (out of 4.0) and an average SAT score of 1321.

Highly selective, Teach For America also provides rigorous training and ongoing support for corps members, who often serve as leaders within their schools and local communities.

The gift was announced by CMS Superintendent Dr. Peter C. Gorman at a press conference held at the Education Center in uptown Charlotte. The press conference was attended by C. D. "Dick" Spangler, Jr., his wife, Meredith, and daughter, Anna Spangler Nelson.

"The people in this community have always supported its public schools," said Spangler. "A good public school system is an economic asset for the community. Not only does it educate future citizens, but it provides future employees for this growing community."

Spangler also praised Dr. Gorman's leadership of the district: "His role as superintendent is probably the most difficult management responsibility in our community, and he is doing it well."

Spangler, a nationally recognized business and civic leader, is a passionate advocate for public education at all levels. He has served as chairman of the North Carolina Board of Education and president of the University of North Carolina.

Spangler also served as a member of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education during the historic integration of the school system during the 1970s and advocated successfully statewide for mandatory public school kindergarten programs. Spangler attended Dilworth Elementary and A.G. Middle School; his daughters are graduates of West Charlotte High School.

"A dedicated, determined teacher can make a world of difference in the classroom," said Gorman. "Teach For America has a strong track record of providing CMS with teachers who beat the odds every day by showing that every child can achieve at high levels when given the right opportunities. We are very grateful for the generosity of the Spangler family and deeply appreciative of what they're doing to support our schools and our children."

The nation's 21st largest school district, CMS currently serves more than 135,000 students in 167 schools. Nearly half -- 45.5 percent -- meet federal standards for poverty (approximately $20,400 in annual income for a family of four).

Teach For America is the national corps of outstanding recent college graduates who commit two years to teach in urban and rural public schools. CMS currently has 128 corps members teaching in 30 schools. Three corps members since 2003 have received the district's Outstanding First-Year Teacher award.

The district's Strategic Plan 2010 calls for increasing teacher effectiveness in meeting the needs of high poverty students and expanding the district's partnership with Teach For America.

"We know that outstanding teachers, coupled with sound and passionate district leadership, make permanent and positive differences in the lives of young people," said Aaliyah El-Amin, executive director of Teach For America-Charlotte. "We're truly honored that with their generous contribution, the Spanglers are supporting the union of these two forces for change and demonstrating the critical impact that funding our efforts can have on students' success."

About Teach For America
Teach For America is the national corps of outstanding recent college graduates who commit two years to teach in urban and rural public schools and become lifelong leaders in expanding educational opportunity. This year, more than 5,000 corps members are teaching in over 1,000 schools in 26 regions across the country, and more than 12,000 Teach For America alumni continue working from inside and outside the field of education for the fundamental changes necessary to ensure educational excellence and equity. For more information, visit www.teachforamerica.org

About Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) in Charlotte, NC, educates nearly 136,000 students in 167 schools, from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade. The nation's 21st-largest school district, CMS is also one of the most diverse, with students from more than 150 countries who speak 97 different languages. Focused on making students globally competitive, CMS has a $1.17 billion annual budget and has more than 18,000 employees.

SOURCE: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

Web site: http://www.cms.k12.nc.us/