Teach For America To Bring A Record 10,000 Teachers To Nation’s Highest-Need Classrooms In 2012

70 New South Louisiana Teachers Part of a Record National Corps

For Immediate Release

Contact: Becky O’Neill | Teach For America
646.369.9374 | becky.oneill@teachforamerica.org

BATON ROUGE, La., June 26, 2012—Teach For America announced last week that it has reached a milestone, as this fall marks the first time more than 10,000 first- and second-year corps members will be teaching in high-need classrooms nationwide. This includes 5,800 teachers in Teach For America’s 23rd incoming corps, a group notable for its diversity and talent. Of these, 70 new corps members will join local education efforts in South Louisiana.

Nationally, thirty-eight percent of incoming corps members identify as people of color, including 13 percent who are African American and 10 percent who are Hispanic. Thirty-five percent received Pell Grants, and 23 percent are the first in their families to earn a college degree. Ninety-eight served as student-body presidents at their alma mater. Twenty-three percent are graduate students or professionals from a wide range of backgrounds, including veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, financial analysts, nonprofit staffers, and consultants. Together, the 10,000-member corps has an average GPA of 3.55 and includes alumni of more than 600 colleges and universities across the country.

This fall, a total of 145 first- and second-year Teach For America teachers will teach in South Louisiana’s highest-need public schools this fall. Collectively, they will reach upwards of 8,000 students.

“We’re excited to bring this year’s corps of committed educators to local schools,” said Michael Tipton, executive director of Teach For America in South Louisiana. “Our teachers come from all over the country and a diverse set of backgrounds to make a meaningful impact on the lives of students here in Louisiana.”

A rigorous and growing body of independent research demonstrates that Teach For America teachers are well-prepared and effective in the classroom. The latest report, released in February by the University of North Carolina, identified Teach For America as the most effective source of early-career teachers (less than five years of experience) among 12 teacher-preparation programs in the state. Recent studies in Louisiana and Tennessee also found Teach For America to be the most effective new-teacher-preparation program statewide

"It's inspiring to think about cities and towns like ours welcoming Teach For America corps members committed to partnering with parents, families and local organizations to give kids the kinds of opportunities they deserve,” said Raymond Allmon of Stand for Childrenin Baton Rouge. "The 70 Teach For America teachers joining us this fall are part of a broader movement for educational justice, but they'll also be part of our communities – neighbors and friends dedicated to serving the children in their classrooms in the place they'll call home."

In addition to its 10,000-strong teaching corps, Teach For America’s nearly 28,000 alumni work across a range of sectors to effect change. Two-thirds of them have made education their career—one-third as classroom teachers and one-third in other roles including principals and superintendents. More than 130 Teach For America alumni are living and working in South Louisiana, including Megan Phillips, principal at Jackson Elementary School in East Feliciana Parish, and Chris Myer, founder and CEO of New Schools for Baton Rouge. A 2011 study by Harvard professor Monica Higgins and the American Enterprise Institute’s Rick Hess found that Teach For America is creating more founders and leaders of education organizations than any other organization or program.

Additional Remarks from Supporters

“I am pleased that Teach For America will be bringing some of our nation’s top college graduates into Louisiana classrooms this fall. Our state strives to offer a quality education to our future generation of leaders. Innovative programs, such as this, are one more way that we can ensure our students receive the educational opportunities they so deserve.” –Congressman Rodney Alexander

"It's exciting to see such a growing commitment to educational excellence here in Louisiana. Teach For America is one of the many critical programs leading the way towards a bolder, brighter vision of what is possible in public education and we look forward to the energy, enthusiasm and talents these newest teachers will bring." –Representative Steve Carter

“Teach For America’s mission is to eliminate educational inequity by attracting dedicated, talented college graduates to teach and make a lasting impact in underserved communities across the country. I am thrilled that this new class of Teach For America corps members will be joining our teaching force in South Louisiana this fall. These smart and enthusiastic teachers will help to ensure that Louisiana’s students receive the educational opportunities they deserve.” –Senator Mary Landrieu

“Louisiana is leading the way on education reforms, and committed teachers make all the difference.I’m glad that Teach for America continues working to positively impact the lives of Louisiana children, and I welcome the new TFA teachers as they join the effort to improve education throughout the state.” –Senator David Vitter

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. This fall, more than 10,000 corps members will be teaching in 46 urban and rural regions across the country, while nearly 28,000 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. 

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