Lifelong Charlotte Philanthropists Launch Fundraising Effort to Expand Educational Opportunity
For Immediate Release
Contact: Emily Del Pino | Teach For America
646-584-1625 | emily.delpino@teachforamerica.org
CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 14, 2010—Teach For America announced today that philanthropists Johnny and Deborah Harris will donate $50,000 to launch a fundraising effort that will help the organization deepen its local impact. Teach For America is the national corps of top college graduates who commit to teach for two years in urban and rural public schools and become lifelong leaders in the effort to end educational inequity.
The Harrises’ gift will serve as the foundation of a collective campaign by local philanthropists to raise a total of $250,000 for the recruitment, selection, training, and ongoing support of Teach For America corps members working in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. To date, the campaign has attracted eight supporters with investments of $10,000 and seeks seven additional investors at the $10,000 level and one additional supporter to match the Harrise’s $50,000 gift. This year, 230 Teach For America corps members are reaching more than 14,000 Charlotte-Mecklenburg students. In the 2010-11 school year, Teach For America aims to recruit 150 new corps members in Charlotte, placing a total of 250 first- and second-year teachers in the highest-need local schools to reach more than 15,000 students.
“We are so grateful to Johnny and Deborah Harris for supporting our commitment to ensuring that all children have the opportunity to learn at the highest level,” said Tim Hurley, executive director of Teach For America in Charlotte. “We hope their donation will inspire additional support for our teachers, who are working tirelessly every day to provide students with the educational opportunities they deserve.”
In 2009, Teach For America in Charlotte raised nearly $3.5 million with support from local donors, including a $25,000 gift from Johnny and Deborah Harris. This year, the organization has set an ambitious goal to raise $4.75 million, and the Harrises have provided an additional gift to help Teach For America meet this funding target.
“Deborah and I have seen the impact that Teach For America is having throughout Charlotte,” said Johnny Harris. “This campaign will empower Teach For America to continue recruiting and training outstanding leaders to teach in Charlotte schools and ensure that children in our city receive an excellent education. We are proud to partner with Teach For America in this effort and look forward to reaching the fundraising goals of this essential campaign.”
Johnny Harris is a trustee on the board of the James J. Harris and Angelia M. Harris Foundation, which recently pledged $1 million to name the new University of North Carolina Charlotte Alumni Center. The family’s foundation was established by Johnny’s grandparents, who worked throughout their lives to promote public good in Charlotte. Deborah Harris has a long history of civic involvement and leadership in her hometown of Charlotte and in the state of North Carolina. She developed and edited the “I’m Special” educational material, a third and fourth grade primary prevention program that promotes self-worth, healthy living skills, and effective group cooperation. The program is used in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and in other school systems in 38 states.
A growing body of research on Teach For America demonstrates the effectiveness of corps members in the classroom. A new study from the University of Carolina that compared the effects on student achievement of teachers from various teacher pathways found that Teach For America corps members outperformed UNC graduates in teaching middle school math and high school science, math, and English. The study also found that middle school math students in Teach For America teachers’ classrooms received the equivalent of an extra half-year of learning. These results are consistent with those of a 2008-09 Urban Institute study examining the impact of Teach For America corps members on high school students in North Carolina; the study found that corps members have a positive effect on student achievement relative to other teachers, including experienced teachers, traditionally prepared teachers, and those fully certified in their field.
Beyond their impact in the classroom, Teach For America alumni are working as teachers, principals, and leaders who continue to advocate for children and families in low-income communities. Of the 17,000 Teach For America alumni across the country, nearly 450 serve as school principals or superintendents, more than 500 work in government or policy, and more than 25 serve as elected officials.
About Teach For America
Teach For America is the national corps of outstanding recent college graduates who commit to teach for two years in urban and rural public schools and become lifelong leaders in expanding educational opportunity. Today, 7,300 corps members are teaching in 35 regions across the country while 17,000 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.
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