Teach for America

Guide Note

Teach for America is a non-profit organization founded by Wendy Kopp that brings teachers to low-income neighborhoods.

Kopp proposed the idea of Teach for America in her undergraduate thesis when she was a senior at Princeton University. She felt that people in her generation wanted a way to assume responsibility that would make a difference in the world. She also felt that most top college graduates would pick teaching as an option over other ideas.

Kopp, at 21-years-old, raised $2.5 million in startup funds. She hired a skeleton crew and launched a campaign. In Teach for America's first year 500 men and women began teaching in six different low-income neighborhoods throughout the United States. Since 1990 the program has grown to include 17,000 individuals. It is the nation's biggest provider of teachers for low-income communities.

Fast Facts

1. Founder: Wendy Kopp
2. 21-year-old when she developed the idea
3. Attended Princeton University
4. Raised $2.5 million to start up Teach for America
5. First began in 1990
6. Started with 500 people but has grown to 17,000
7. Originally helped six low-income neighborhoods
8. Nation's largest provider of teachers for low-income areas