Building the Next Generation of Leaders

Teach For America’s mission is to build the movement to eliminate educational inequity by enlisting our nation’s most promising future leaders in the effort.

1.Placing outstanding corps members in the classroom 2.Providing a transformative experience 3.Developing and supporting alumni Accomplishing Our Mission A three-fold approach:

Teaching As Leadership (TAL) Teach For America’s leadership theory is embedded in all organizational practices: Developing Alumni Training & Supporting Recruiting & Selecting

A history of leadership and achievement Perseverance in the face of challenges Strong critical thinking skills The ability to influence and motivate others Organizational ability Desire to work relentlessly in pursuit of educational equity and excellence TAL: Recruitment & Selection Teach For America selects corps members who demonstrate:

“Our principals will line up to get a Teach For America teacher. They know from experience Teach For America teachers are consistently good instructional personnel. They are … highly committed to student success. Like all new teachers, they sometimes find the classroom a real challenge, but instead of succumbing, they rise to the opportunity, work through their problems, and come to a solution that will benefit the student, the teacher, and the school.” Dr. Carl Harris Former North Carolina Superintendent and Broad Fellow Current Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Strategic Initiatives Department of Education

TAL: Training & Support Teach For America’s training & support focuses on: Setting an ambitious vision Investing students and families Planning purposefully Executing effectively Working relentlessly Continuously reflecting and improving

“ Many of my students just needed a teacher to set high expectations and push them to succeed. On their final exam, my students met their class goal of an 80% class average, and many of them even finished above grade level.” Silvio Delgado Phoenix Corps ’07 Teaches 6th – 8th grade mathematics

Through their work as teachers of record in low-income classrooms, our corps members gain: Perspective and insight into the problem and how it can be solved Leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills Self-awareness and inner strength Lifelong network of colleagues and friends TAL: Training & Support

TAL: Developing Alumni Source: 2008 Teach For America Alumni Survey, capturing data on 57% of alumni. Law Nonprofit (outside education) Business Education Medicine Full-time Graduate School (outside education) Science, Math, Technology, Engineering Communications, Media, and Journalism Politics, Policy and Government Other Teach For America alumni work in every sector

“My corps experience honed my interest in law and public service and helped me realize I want to have a career where I can make a real difference in the lives of children today.” Maureen Milligan Metro D.C. Corps ’99 Assistant City Attorney and Community Prosecutor City of Dallas

TAL: Alumni Development Teach For America develops alumni leadership in the following fields: School Leadership Initiative Teaching Leadership Initiative Political Leadership Initiative Policy and Advocacy Leadership Initiative Social Entrepreneurship

"In some sense I have been part of Teach For America since the sixth grade when I sat down for my first class at KIPP in the Bronx. I am very proud to be part of the first graduating class of KIPP and it was not until recently that I realized how much my teachers sacrificed to give me a better education. Most of my teachers then were Teach For America alumni; they were the best teachers I've ever had. Their hard work and dedication helped me decide to apply to join Teach For America. Every child deserves the opportunity to achieve.” Laura Reyes KIPPster 2007 NYC Corps Member Inspiring the Next Generation of Leaders Full Circle: Student to Corps Member

1.Power of experiential learning 2.Core values & mission inform the model 3.Using reflection to integrate inner and outer work 4.Setting expectations and measuring outcomes 5.Self-sustaining impact 6.Promoting a lifetime of service Common Themes Across the four models: