About IDEA Public Schools: Winner of the 2009 Peter Jennings Award for Civic Leadership

IDEA Public Schools started in 1997 as an after-school program run by two Teach For America corps members. Today, as IDEA’s CEO and COO, Tom Torkelson (R.G.V. ’97) and JoAnne Gonzales (R.G.V. ’97) lead a network of 10 thriving public schools across the Rio Grande Valley.

In a community where only 11 percent of adults are college graduates, 100 percent of IDEA graduates enroll in four-year colleges. IDEA’s flagship campus has marked several recent milestones under the leadership of principal Jeremy Beard (L.A. ’95): The state of Texas recognized it as the top school in the Rio Grande Valley, it was ranked as one of the top 10 charter schools by U.S. News & World Report, and it acquired International Baccalaureate authorization, making it one of very few IB schools in the world to serve primarily low-income students.

"While we often focus on the extent of the problems in American education, the achievements of Tom, JoAnn, and Jeremy show that these problems are solvable," said Wendy Kopp, founder and CEO of Teach For America. "By pursuing high standards and college preparation for students who live in some of our nation’s poorest counties, IDEA schools are demonstrating that all children can achieve at the highest levels when they are given the opportunity to do so."

"JoAnn, Jeremy, and I are deeply honored by this recognition of our efforts to continue the impact we had as Teach For America corps members changing educational outcomes for students in the Rio Grande Valley," Torkelson said. "Seeing all of our graduates head off to four-year colleges is rewarding in itself, but by sharing their achievements more broadly, we can help to transform public perception of what is possible with education in low-income communities."

This is the first year that multiple honorees will receive the award. Torkelson, Gonzales, and Beard will share the $10,000 prize.