PHARR, TEXAS, June 7, 2022—Teach For America (TFA) is welcoming 25 educators to the Rio Grande Valley this upcoming school year, all of whom will be trained through the organization’s new hybrid pre-service model, which includes both a virtual component and in-person teaching experience in partnership with Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District (PSJA ISD). This is the first time in Teach For America’s 30-year history that all of its educators will complete their summer teaching experience in the communities where they will be serving in the fall. Their time in local classrooms at PSJA ISD this summer will offer them an opportunity to learn from other local veteran teachers, and more quickly understand the Valley community, schools and students.

These teachers are part of 245 new TFA educators who will be teaching in Texas schools this fall. They join a growing network of TFA corps members and alumni of the program—over 5,200 in Texas, who are leading classrooms, schools, districts, and working across sectors to impact the education system. TFA corps members make a lifelong commitment to educational equity, and spend at least two years teaching in under-resourced schools in rural and urban areas nationwide; in the RGV, they serve in partner school districts in Cameron, Hidalgo, and Starr Counties. 

“We’re thrilled to be welcoming these outstanding leaders to the Rio Grande Valley, and deeply excited about our partnership with PSJA ISD,” said Ana Gonzalez, Executive Director of Teach For America Rio Grande Valley. “It is no secret that disruptions to schooling during the pandemic have been extremely difficult for students and educators alike. The partnership with PSJA ISD allows our educators to get to know their local education community immediately, and brings critically needed new teachers to local schools.”

“It’s an honor to partner with Teach For America to provide this rigorous training for new educators coming to serve in Rio Grande Valley schools,” said PSJA Superintendent Dr. Jorge L. Arredondo. “At PSJA ISD, we take great pride in providing high-quality training for our teachers. To see them now mentor and train fellow educators this summer shows the caliber of leaders we have serving in our schools.”

Starting June 13th, these TFA teachers, known as corps members, will collaboratively lead classrooms under the supervision of experienced mentors in PSJA ISD. This summer’s programming is a key component of TFA’s multi-part, nationwide intensive pre-service experience, which began in May and will extend through teachers’ first 90 days in the classroom, and which all 2,000 new teachers will experience. Training will focus on instruction, learning environments, diversity, equity, and inclusiveness, and leadership development. There are specific tracks organized by content, such as elementary math, secondary math, and elementary literacy, so that these teachers have the curricular and pedagogical skills to teach these critical subjects to all students in the fall.

Teach For America and PSJA staff and educators are available for interviews. 

ABOUT TEACH FOR AMERICA

Teach For America works in partnership with 350 urban and rural communities across the country to expand educational opportunities for children. Founded in 1990, Teach For America recruits and develops a diverse corps of outstanding leaders who make an initial two-year commitment to teach in high-need schools and become lifelong leaders in the effort to end educational inequity. Today, Teach For America is a force of over 64,000 alumni and corps members working in over 9,000 schools nationwide in pursuit of profound systemic change. From classrooms to districts to state houses across America, they are reimagining education to realize the day when every child has an equal opportunity to learn, lead, thrive, and co-create a future filled with possibility. Teach For America is a proud member of the AmeriCorps national service network. For more information, visit www.teachforamerica.org and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. 

ABOUT PSJA ISD

PSJA ISD is a state and national leader in creating more academic opportunities for all students. As a tri-city public school district offering a Pre-Kinder through 12th grade curriculum, PSJA ISD is focused on preparing students to compete and excel in today's global society to foster multi-generational prosperity.

All of PSJA ISD high schools are designated Early College, which makes them innovative high schools that allow students to attend college and high school simultaneously. Early College High Schools offer rigorous instruction and provide academic, social and emotional support services to help students succeed.

Through PSJA ISD's nationally recognized Early College Program in partnership with South Texas College and other higher-education institutions, high school students can graduate with up to an Associate Degree or 60 college credit hours before their high school graduation.

Approximately 3,500 High School students enrolled in College courses each semester through the PSJA Early College Program. Additionally, some of the district’s most successful programs, such as the Dual Language Enrichment Program, the Early College Initiative and Dropout Recovery Program have been highlighted at both the state and national level for dramatically enhancing post-secondary completion rates for Hispanic students.

For more information, visit https://www.psjaisd.us/whypsja or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @PSJAISD.

Media Contact: 

Teach For America: Rachel Tennenbaum

408.250.2877

Rachel.Tennenbaum@teachforamerica.org



PSJA ISD: Arianna Vazquez-Hernandez

Exec. Dir. Of Communications/Public Info

(956) 354-2027, (956) 279-9420

arianna.hernandez@psjaisd.us

# # #