History | Growth plan | Regions | Donors | Our team | Boards | Special initiatives | Job listings 
|
Contact: Sara Blasing | Teach For America
212-279-2080 x152 | sara.blasing@teachforamerica.org
For Immediate Release
JACKSONVILLE, April 23, 2007 - In partnership with Duval County Public Schools, Teach For America today announced its expansion to Jacksonville, Fla., with plans to bring 50 teachers to the region’s highest-need schools for the 2008-2009 school year.
Teach For America is the national corps of top college graduates who commit two years to teach in under-resourced public schools and become lifelong leaders in the pursuit of educational equity. In its 17-year history, Teach For America has recruited and trained nearly 17,000 teachers, impacting more than 2.5 million students. In addition to Jacksonville, Teach For America places corps members in 26 urban and rural regions across the country, including some 100 in Miami-Dade.
Duval County Public Schools is the 19th largest school district in the nation, with over 160 schools, more than 120,000 students, and over 14,000 employees. Most recognized for its continuous leadership role as home to four of the nations best high schools (two in the top 10), Duval County continues its commitment to academic rigor and high-quality learning opportunities. In 2006, Duval County revised its graduation requirements, making the district a national leader in rigorous graduation requirements. This commitment to academic rigor has earned the district national recognition and selection for partnerships that promote a college-going culture in large urban school districts and increase graduation and college readiness rates. With high-quality and supportive academic programs for all students, professional development opportunities for teachers and faculty members, and data-driven assessments, Duval County Public Schools will create academic excellence and equity for all students.
“I want to thank Teach For America for placing their confidence in Jacksonville by designating it the first affiliate city named for the 2008-2009 school year. Teach For America provides us with a wonderful opportunity to bring new leaders to the community who are passionate about educational reform,” said Dr. Joseph Wise, superintendent of Duval County Public Schools. “These young educators share our commitment to and vision to eradicating the achievement gap, and they will be placed in some of our most critical schools.”
The opening of a Jacksonville site is part of Teach For America’s natural growth plan, which calls for the organization to expand from its current 4,400 corps members to 7,500 across more than 30 sites by 2010.
“We have been touched and tremendously gratified by the incredible welcome that we have received from the city of Jacksonville and the Duval County Public School system,” said Wendy Kopp, founder and president of Teach For America. “The support and perseverance of Dr. Wise, the Duval County School Board, Mayor Peyton, the City Council, and of course, Wayne and Delores Weaver, the Chartrand Foundation, and the rest of our early key financial supporters made our decision to expand to Jacksonville an easy one.”
Teach For America received a $1.2 million challenge grant from Delores Barr Weaver and J. Wayne Weaver, owners of the Jacksonville Jaguars, and a $1 million grant from the Chartrand Foundation in a charge to bring the organization to Jacksonville.
“Wayne and I are proud to call Jacksonville home, however, we are concerned that many of our children are not receiving the quality education they deserve,” said Delores Barr Weaver. “Much work is already being done to assure that all children receive the opportunity for a good education, and we are confident that the young people who represent Teach for America will enhance that work.
“We are very proud to welcome Teach for America to our great community. Thank you for the faith and trust your early designation implies.”
Said Jeff Chartrand, executive director of the Chartrand Foundation: “Teach For America corps members have a well-earned reputation of elevating school culture as well as a proven methodology in closing the achievement gap. We are thrilled that they have chosen to come to Jacksonville and believe their presence will be invaluable to our overall goals of education reform.”
Teach For America selects its corps from outstanding recent college graduates of all majors. In 2006, incoming corps members earned an average GPA of 3.5, and 96 percent held leadership positions in their schools or communities. Eleven percent of the senior classes at Notre Dame and Amherst applied, as did 10 percent of those at Dartmouth, Spelman, and Yale. Nearly 100 seniors and recent graduates of the University of Florida applied, as did more than 50 members of the graduating class of Florida State University. Teach For America also received more than 100 applications from graduating seniors at the University of Georgia.
In addition to receiving intensive training at Teach For America’s summer institute, Jacksonville corps members will receive ongoing professional development from both Teach For America and Duval County Public Schools.
After completing their two-year commitment, Teach For America corps members join an alumni force that is working from all sectors to expand educational opportunity. With 66 percent remaining in the field of education, Teach For America alumni are starting schools, becoming principals and district administrators, and winning accolades as teachers, including the 2005 National Teacher of the Year Award.
About Teach For America
Teach For America is the national corps of outstanding recent college graduates who commit two years to teach in urban and rural public schools and become lifelong leaders in expanding educational opportunity. Currently, 4,400 corps members are teaching in over 1,000 schools in 25 regions across the country; more than 12,000 Teach For America alumni continue working from inside and outside the field of education for the fundamental changes necessary to ensure educational excellence and equity.
Press releases
Corps and Alumni
