Teach for America not a temporary fix
I am writing in response to Lara Loewenstein’s column
(“Band-Aids won’t seal education divide,” Jan.
11).
I joined Teach For America in 1991 and, more than 15 years
later, am still as dedicated to education as ever, guided by Teach
For America’s philosophy that all students ““ regardless
of race or income level ““ deserve access to an excellent
education.
I decided to become one of the organization’s first
teachers in Los Angeles because I wanted to have an impact on
kids’ lives, probably the same reason that many of us go into
education.
Today, as the executive director of three independent public
schools in the MacArthur Park/Mid-Wilshire neighborhoods of Los
Angeles, I am doing just that.
As a TFA corps member, I know I had a direct impact on the
quality of education my students received during my first two years
as a qualified bilingual teacher in South Los Angeles.
That impact continues today.
As a school leader, I make a difference in the lives of more
than 1,300 students by providing them with high-quality schools in
their neighborhood.
Our high school’s API score ranked 10th among all LAUSD
high schools, proving that schools in historically underperforming
areas can perform at high levels.
I’ve hired a large number of TFA corps members and alumni
because they share my burning passion to learn, teach and
serve.
Being a TFA alumna means being committed to positively
influencing public education ““ whether that is in the
classroom, in a school district office or in a corporate boardroom
pushing to make access to education equal across the nation.
By recruiting some of the brightest college graduates to teach
in areas of high need for two years, TFA is not only addressing
teacher-shortage needs, it is reforming communities.
It is not a temporary cure for the educational divide in our
nation.
I am proud to be among the many Teach For America alumni across
our nation who are addressing our public education crisis.
Ana Ponce
UCLA Class of 2002
Teach for America 1991