Teach For America is unique in its ability to channel outstanding leadership into the education sector at an unparalleled rate. Throughout their teaching commitment, corps members operate on a mission to increase student achievement through whatever means necessary. Year after year, their passion and dedication distinguish them as some of our city’s finest teachers. We are proud to support Teach For America’s work in Houston.
- Nancy and Rich Kinder, Kinder Foundation
Teach For America • Houston is playing a critical role in improving schools and communities. This year, a corps of more than 400 of the nation’s top recent college graduates is working in underserved schools across Houston to ensure that students facing the challenges of poverty are given the educational opportunities they deserve. Our alumni are leaders in the classroom, in education more broadly, and across all sectors. Together, they are making educational equity a reality in Houston. Learn about living and teaching in Houston.
 |
Press | |
Corps Impact | |
Alumni Impact | |
Financial Sustainability | |
Regional Supporters | |
Contact Us | |
Executive Director |
Recent press releases
Recent press coverage
During the 2008-09 school year, more than 400 corps members are directly impacting the lives of nearly 30,000 students in Houston. Tai Ingram is one example of the tremendous difference our corps members are making.
|
Tai Ingram (Houston Corps '07) |
Tai Ingram teaches eleventh grade American literature and ninthgrade English at Lee High School in the Houston Independent School District. At the beginning of last year, Tai’s students were more than two years behind in reading and were scoring 50 percent or less on tests for the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS). Tai worked to invest her students by offering around-the-clock tutorials and Saturday TAKS preparation meetings. She also measured their progress and publicly celebrated their growth. In the end, her hard work paid off. Ninety percent of Tai’s students passed the TAKS, growing on average two or more grade levels in reading. Like Tai, our corps members are currently working in 100 schools throughout Houston to ensure their students excel.
Principal Satisfaction
*"Teach For America 2007 National Principal Survey,” Policy Studies Associates, July 2007
Impact on Student Achievement
A growing body of research shows that corps members have a positive impact on their students' achievement. Read more about our impact.
Student Profile
*Percentages vary depending on school district
Houston: Corps Member Placement
| Assignment | % of Corps |
|---|---|
| Pre-K, Kindergarten | 11% |
| Elementary School, Lower (1-2) | 10% |
| Elementary School, Upper (3-5) | 22% |
| Secondary Math | 13% |
| Secondary English | 20% |
| Secondary Science | 15% |
| Secondary Social Studies | 7% |
| Secondary Other | 2% |
| Bilingual | 3% |
| ESL | 5% |
| Special Education | 4% |
*Percentages are rounded and do not add up to 100 percent; corps members who teach bilingual, ESL, or special education are also accounted for in the grade-level/subject placement percentages
Characteristics of the 2008 Corps
| Corps Profile | Top alma maters by market share* |
|---|---|
| Average GPA: 3.6 | Spelman College: 16% |
| Average SAT: 1320 | Morehouse College, Williams College, Yale University : 11% |
| Held leadership roles on campus: 95% | Duke University, Georgetown University, University of Chicago, Wake Forest University, Wesleyan University: 10% |
| People of color: 29% | Amherst College, Harward University, Haverford University, Notre Dame University, Princeton University, Rice University: 9% |
*Percentage of senior classes who applied to Teach For America
Fostering Alumni Leadership for Systemic Change
As the number of corps members grows, so does our alumni base. By 2010, we will have over 765 Teach For America • Houston alumni pursuing professional careers and impacting educational reform from every sector.
Teach For America alumni are playing critical roles in leading schools and school
networks in Houston, demonstrating that closing the achievement gap is possible.
An Efficient Program: Cost Breakdown
Growing Our Impact: Funding Needs, 2007-2010
Each additional recruit is another dedicated teacher for children growing up in low-income communities in Houston, and another talented leader with the insight and commitment necessary to sustain the reform efforts underway, which is critical to the ongoing vitality of our region.
| Year | Corps Size | Revenue Needs |
|---|---|---|
| 2007-08 | 406 | $6.9 million |
| 2008-09 | 450* | $8.4 million* |
| 2009-10 | 500* | $8.9 million* |
*projected |
||
We are grateful to have many supporters who generously contribute to our movement in Houston. The foundations, corporations and individuals listed below have made it possible for Teach For America to continue to recruit, select, train, and support teachers who are working to eliminate educational inequity in our city.
| Houston Regional Board |
|---|
| Michael Dee (Chair) Retired Managing Director Morgan Stanley |
| Laura Arnold President Arnold Family Foundation |
| Prabha Bala Community Volunteer |
| Bill Berry Retired Executive Vice President, Exploration & Production ConocoPhillips |
| Leslie Blanton Community Volunteer |
| Robert C. Collins Partner, Investment Services Management Group PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP |
| Martyn Goossen President, Houston Division JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. |
| Robert Graham Retired Chairman AIM Investments |
| Ann Kennedy Former Executive Director/CEO Houston Symphony |
| Neda Ladjevardian Community Volunteer |
| D. Mark Leland Executive VP and CFO El Paso Corpoaration |
| Sultana Mangalji Community Volunteer |
| Lisa Mathis Community Volunteer |
| Sherea McKenzie Executive Director Joint City/County Commission on Children |
| Anne Mendelsohn Associate to the President M.D. Anderson Cancer Center |
| Bonnie New, MD Director Beacon Medical Management for Industry |
| Jim O’Shaughnessy Regional Director/Managing Director Morgan Stanley |
| Eric Pulaski Chairman and CEO Lightbulb Technology Partners Inc. |
| Shawn Raymond Partner Susman Godfrey, L.L.P. |
| Douglas M. Selman Retired Vice President, Research and Development ExxonMobil Chemical Company |
| Josephine Smith Community Volunteer |
| Y. Ping Sun University Representative Rice University |
| Lori Vetters Regional President, Houston Gulf Coast Wachovia |
To support Teach For America • Houston with a gift or to request additional information about our impact or finances, please contact:
Teach For America • Houston
Ann Best, Executive Director
Jessica Like, Manager, Corporate & Foundation Relations
4669 Southwest Freeway
Suite 600
Houston, Texas 77027
p 713-523-4100, f 713-523-5454
ann.best@teachforamerica.org
jessica.like@teachforamerica.org
Ann Best is the executive director of Teach For America • Houston. Ann graduated from Oakwood College in 1996 with a bachelor's degree in communications. Upon graduation, Ann was accepted into Teach For America and assigned to teach kindergarten at Ed White Elementary School in Houston. She taught for four years and, while teaching, held several leadership positions. She was the grade level chairperson, a critical friends coach, and a member of the school decision making committee. Ann moved on from the classroom to join Teach For America staff in 2000. She began her work at Teach For America as a program director, where she worked directly with Teach For America corps members to support them in the classroom and ensure they reached their ambitious goals for students. Ann was the region's first managing director of program and was promoted to the role of executive director in 2004. She has a passion for ensuring that children growing up in low-income communities have the opportunity to attain an excellent education. Her work with Teach For America in the Houston community allows her to work toward making that vision a reality on a daily basis.
History
Regions
Corps and Alumni
