Texas Philanthropic Institution’s Gift to Support the Recruitment, Training, and Professional Development of Valley Teachers
For Immediate Release
Contact: Kaitlin Gastrock | Teach For America
646.315.1396 | kaitlin.gastrock@teachforamerica.org
McALLEN, TX, May 22, 2012—The Meadows Foundation today announced a $250,000 gift to Teach For America in the Rio Grande Valley in support of the nonprofit’s efforts to ensure that all students in the region receive an excellent education. The Foundation’s funding will support Teach For America’s work in the Valley to recruit, train, and support top college graduates and professionals who commit to teach for two years in under-resourced schools and become lifelong leaders in the pursuit of educational equity and excellence.
“We’re honored to have The Meadows Foundation’s continued support in our work to level the playing field for all students growing up in the Valley and prepare them for lifelong success,” said Robert Carreon, executive director of Teach For America in the Rio Grande Valley. “Their partnership will help us grow our efforts to expand educational opportunity for students in our highest-need schools.”
A Teach For America supporter since 1993, The Meadows Foundation funds work in the fields of arts and culture, civic and public affairs, education, health, and human services. Its mission is to assist the people and institutions of Texas to improve the quality and circumstances of life for themselves and future generations.
“We are pleased to support Teach For America’s work to increase the number of effective teachers working to give all South Texas students the excellent education they deserve, regardless of their zip code or family income,” said Linda Perryman Evans, president and CEO of The Meadows Foundation. “A great education will empower students in the Rio Grande Valley to shape the future they choose, regardless of their current socio-economic status,” Evans added.
This school year, more than 130 corps members are teaching in Valley schools and reaching some 12,000 students. Another 160 Teach For America alumni call South Texas home and continue to work from inside and outside the classroom to expand opportunities for children growing up in low-income communities.
A growing body of rigorous research demonstrates that Teach For America corps members are effective teachers. Between 2009 and 2011, the three statewide studies on teacher-preparation programs and teacher effectiveness conducted in North Carolina, Louisiana, and Tennessee conclude that Teach For America teachers have a positive impact on student achievement. The most recent study, released by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, found that, for the second year in a row, Teach For America is the top teacher preparation program in the state.
About Teach For America
Teach For America works in partnership with communities to expand educational opportunity for children facing the challenges of poverty. Founded in 1990, Teach For America recruits and develops a diverse corps of outstanding individuals of all academic disciplines to commit two years to teach in high-need schools and become lifelong leaders in the movement to end educational inequity. Today more than 9,000 corps members are teaching in 43 urban and rural regions across the country, while nearly 24,000 alumni are working across sectors to ensure that all children have access to an excellent education. For more information, visit our website and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
About The Meadows Foundation
Algur Hurtle Meadows established General American Oil Company in 1939, and grew it into one of the largest independent oil and gas companies in the country. He and his wife, Virginia S. Meadows, were generous philanthropists during their lifetime, and created The Meadows Foundation in 1948 to share the joy they found in giving with present and future generations of their family. To date, the Foundation has awarded grants in excess of $700 million to nonprofit agencies and public entities serving people in all regions and in every county of Texas. For more information, visit the Meadows Foundation website.
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