Call me jaded but it takes a lot to impress me. However, I was more than impressed when I ran across Teach for America. Their mission statement is: Teach For America is growing the movement of leaders who work to ensure that kids growing up in poverty get an excellent education.
Specifically the organization recruits new college graduates to commit to teaching in a low-income community for two years. The organization aspires for these "corps members" to gain the insight and added commitment to tackle the root causes of America's achievement gap throughout their lives.
Reminds me of one of my favorite books turned television series, Christy. I know... old school but definitely heartwarming and inspiring.
I personally applaud passionate, caring teachers throughout the United States – I just wish that our colleges and universities better prepared them to teach. It’s always sobering to learn that most teachers are never given the tools, strategies, and methodology to actually teach a child to read.
Teaching students to read is more than a practicum or syllabus. Do you think that our colleges and universities are adequately preparing graduates to teach our children?