22 Teach For America Teachers Heading To Big Island's Highest-Need Public Schools This Fall

Press Release

Teach For America announced today that 22 of the organization's new teachers will come to the Big Island this fall to teach in the some of the area's highest-need public schools. These teachers are among more than 4,500 new Teach For America corps members nationwide, the largest incoming corps in the organization's 20-year history. They were chosen through a highly selective process that attracted a record 46,000 applicants. At more than 120 colleges and universities, more than 5 percent of the senior class applied to Teach For America, including 12 percent of all seniors at Ivy League universities.

"Teach For America will bring some of our nation's brightest college graduates to teach in schools across the islands again this fall," said Senator Daniel Akaka. "This outstanding organization works to eliminate educational inequity nationwide, and I am very pleased that Hawai'i's children benefit from their effort."

The 22 new teachers will join an additional 18 Teach For America corps members currently serving in Big Island schools, more than doubling the number of local students impacted. Teach For America began placing corps members in West Hawai"i schools in the 2009-10 school year and will expand to the Kau area in the coming school year. The incoming Big Island teachers are part of a total corps of more than 120 teachers across Hawai'i who will reach upwards of 9,000 students in the coming school year. Two are local Kama"āina who graduated from Hawai"i public schools.

"I have only the best things to say about Teach For America. The two teachers I have had this year are remarkable, competent, focused, dedicated and committed. I know our school has benefited as much from their presence at our school as they have gained in knowledge and experience. Our students have been positively impacted by these teachers," said Nancy Soderberg, principal at Konawaena Middle School.

"We are thrilled to be able to expand our impact by welcoming our largest corps of teachers to Hawai'i and by doubling our impact on the Big Island," said Jill Baldemor, executive director of Teach For America in Hawai'i. "Our 22 new teachers on the Big Island will join corps members and alumni across Hawai'i working relentlessly to make a difference in the lives of students today and for generations to come."

Teach For America, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, will place more than 8,200 first- and second-year corps members in 39 regions across the country this fall.

This year's incoming corps members have an average GPA of 3.6 and 89 percent held a significant leadership position. The fastest-growing segments of the corps are graduate students and professionals seeking to have an immediate impact in education. Twenty-eight percent of incoming corps members received Pell Grants. Almost one-third are people of color, including nearly 7 percent who are Hispanic and 11 percent who are African American, which is more than double the percentage of African American graduates at the colleges where Teach For America primarily recruits.

A growing body of rigorous research demonstrates the effectiveness of Teach For America teachers. A new study from the University of North Carolina compares the effects on student achievement of graduates from the UNC teacher-preparation system with teachers from other pathways, including Teach For America. At every grade level and subject studied, students taught by Teach For America corps members did as well as or better than those taught by traditionally prepared UNC graduates. Middle school math students of Teach For America teachers received the equivalent of an extra half-year of learning.

Teach For America's track record of achieving results for students has earned the organization support from a wide range of political and community leaders across Hawai'i.

"Teach For America recruits talented and dedicated individuals to serve as teachers in our most challenging schools. I've met with a number of these teachers on my visits to schools on Oahu and am pleased that Teach For America will be sending more of their new teachers to the Big Island as well," said Congresswoman Mazie Hirono. "Our children's future success depends on the education they receive today, and innovative programs like Teach For America are helping us ensure that our students are well-prepared to meet the challenges ahead."

The new corps members on the Big Island will join approximately 80 Teach For America alumni in Hawai'i who are working from within education and every other professional sector to expand opportunities for students and families in low-income communities. Of the 20,000-plus Teach For America alumni nationwide, two-thirds remain in education, including 450 who are school principals or superintendents.

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