Teach for America

As the deadline of November 7th quickly approaches, I've been struggling to complete my application for Teach For America. Because the acceptance rate is so low and the selection process so tedious, I want to be certain that all of my submission materials are looking prime and in tip top shape before I make the plunge. Although the task is daunting, and I'm entirely unsure as to whether or not I'll even be accepted, I know the cause is worthy and one that would allow me to in some way give back to the education system that provided me, unlike so many underprivileged  kids in the United States, endless opportunities to thrive.

If you're unfamiliar with the program, Teach for America aims to eliminate the achievement gap that persists in many low-income communities around the nation. It is certain that this among one of our nations greatest social injustices:

"In America today, educational inequity persists along socioeconomic and racial lines. 

• Fourth graders growing up in low-income communities are already three grade levels behind their peers in high-income communities.
  
• About 50 percent of them won't graduate from high school by the time they're 18 years old.
  
• Those who do graduate will perform on average at an eighth-grade level.
  
• Only 1 in 10 will graduate from college.

These educational disparities unfairly limit the life prospects of the 13 million children growing up in poverty today, impacting their earning potential, voter participation, civic engagement and community involvement. Moreover, these disparities disproportionately impact African-American, Latino/Hispanic, and Native American children, who are three times as likely to live in a low-income area" (www.teachforamerica.org).

TFA places qualified college graduates into over 29 urban and rural areas and provides them the tools necessary to combat these inequalities in education. Nationally, the acceptance rate is only 20% with thousands of applicants applying each year. Interestingly, during the previous year at Pepperdine , 40% of students who applied were accepted. I think my chances are solid.With sites all over country, I look forward to the prospect of making the move to somewhere outside of the Southern California bubble, with the Bay Area, Philadelphia, Denver, and Chicago being sites that I'm highly considering. I'll be sure and provide updates on my application process, and hope that I get the chance to positively impact the lives and communities of those whose educational opportunities are far from equal. For more info, visit Teach for America's website, at www.teachforamerica.org.  

It's Me, I'm a Blogger...

Well, I never thought this day would come. I have my own blog (it is the 21st century, right?). In retrospect, if ever there was a time to create a site to keep friends and family updated on my current events, thoughts, pictures, and videos, it probably would  have been three years ago when things seemed to be a little simpler and I had yet to be swallowed by my collegiate years. Better late than never I suppose...