September 8, 2015
UW seventh-largest driver of Teach for America corps
The University of Washington is the 7th-largest contributor of college graduates to the 2015 Teach For America corps, according to the annual list of top contributors released today by the national nonprofit organization. Graduates who join Teach For America commit to teach for at least two years in under-resourced schools.
Among large schools, the University of California–Los Angeles contributed the highest number of alumni to the corps, with 65 graduates beginning as teachers through the program this fall. The University of Washington’s Seattle campus was the 7th-largest contributor among large schools, with 37 alumni joining the 2015 corps.
“We’re thrilled to see so many students taking this path, as one key focus of the Husky Experience at the University of Washington is helping our students think about how they function as a part of their larger communities,” said Emma O’Neill-Myers, assistant director of the University of Washington Career Center.
“That so many of our students are choosing to pursue leadership and service roles with organizations like Teach For America is great confirmation that we’re supporting our students in being lifelong leaders, learners and educators.”
Three University of Washington graduates were hired by eastern Washington schools this fall, while the others were hired by high-needs schools across the country, said Teach For America–Washington Interim Executive Director Kim Shin. Strong partnerships with student groups and conversations on campus about eliminating educational inequity contributed to the recruitment success.
“University of Washington graduates lead with the courage of their convictions and are committed to tackling the challenges that create opportunity gaps for our nation’s children,” Shin said. “Teach For America is proud to partner with the university’s leaders, teachers and graduates to pursue our goal for every child to receive an education that prepares them to reach their full potential.”
The national incoming Teach For America corps of 4,100 talented individuals is among the most diverse in the organization’s history, according to the nonprofit. Corps members hail from nearly 830 colleges and universities and have an average GPA of 3.4. Sixty-five percent identify as people of color or come from low-income backgrounds.
