Teach For America Week 2015

Were excited today to share with you the launch of 2015 TFA Week. This is
an annual event in which leaders from all walks of life take time out of their
busy schedules to teach students in classrooms around the country. The
event is designed to help us engage community influencers and business
leaders in Teach For Americas mission.
I.

Overview: What is Teach For America Week?

Teach For America Week is an annual event in which leaders from all
professions take time out of their busy schedules to teach children in our
corps members classrooms. Teach For America Week is designed to help us
engage community influencers and business leaders in Teach For Americas
mission. The relationships established with these leaders during Teach For
America Week can help us meet our fundraising and program objectives,
which in the end, help optimize the impact of our movement. The
participation of these leaders helps shine the spotlight on the need to
expand educational opportunity for all children and inspire them to pursue
academic success.
Over the next few months, we will be matching guest teachers with corps
member classrooms based on the guests subject/grade/location preferences
and scheduling availability. Thanks in advance to corps members who will
host guest, and to all corps members for your willingness to hare our work
with external constituents. Teach For America Week is an important event
that brings much-needed and well-deserved attention to the important work
all of you are doing with your students every day.
II.

What is expected of corps members?

As a participant in Teach For America Week you will represent Teach For
America in a public forum, so its critical that you take this role seriously.
This is an exciting opportunity for you and your students, but requires a
commitment on your part. As a corps member host, you will need to sign
the Corps Member Commitment Statement in which weve outlined what is
expected of you before, during, and after your guest teachers visit. It
includes items such as filling out the necessary paperwork, participating in

any future orientation meetings, being flexible and accommodating in the

scheduling of your guest teacher, preparing your students for the visit,
preparing a dynamic lesson that actively engages your students if you are
asked to be observed, participating in media opportunities if they arise, etc.
More information will be given in the Corps Member Commitment
Statement.
III.

Process
o Corps Member Bio Form (If you are in SAT, then you already
completed this step)
o Confirming Matches
o Explaining Teach For America Week to Colleagues
o Publicity Release Forms
o Packets and Preparation
o Getting in Touch with your Guest Teacher
o Corps Member Checklist and Guidelines for a Successful Visit
o Teach For America Week Speaking Points

IV.

The Big Week!

Guest Arrival staff will be present to greet the guest and walk
them to your class.
Sample Schedule In order to be respectful, corps members who
have guest teachers in their classrooms should be prepared to help
out if the guest teacher is having a hard time. You also will need to
find a place to hang the Teach For America Week banner. Please be
aware that pictures will be taken of the class and the guest teacher
so the banner should be hung in a position where it is most likely to
be captured in photos. We recommend that you have your students
practice lining up in this area before the guest arrives. In addition,
you will need to decide when to present the guest teacher with the
gift. This is also outlined in the Corps Member Checklist and
Guidelines document.

V.

Thank You Letters

Prompt thank-you letters are really key to the success of Teach For America
Week and the level of future engagement of participants. As outlined in the
commitment statement, these should be sent out within a week of your
guest teachers visit.
VI.

Some of our Guest Teachers during TFA Week 2014

Last year, we had a great group of guest teachers signed up last year for
Teach For America Week. Participants include: State Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.,
Representative Eddie Lucio III, State Representative Oscar Longoria, County
Judge Carlos Cascos, KGBT Channel 4 News Anchor Marcy Martinez and Ryan
Wolf, and US District Attorney (and TFA-RGV Board Member) Ana Cano.

If you have any questions about Teach For America Week, please feel free to
e-mail Rogelio Chanes at rogelio.chanes@teachforamerica.org.