Mixing alumni with potential Boston University recruits, Teach for America drew hundreds to its first New England alumni summit Saturday at the Boston University School of Management.
TFA representatives said they hoped that by connecting the program’s alumni with each other and simultaneously recruiting new college graduates, they would further their goal of providing education to poor communities.
“I think that this is a profound opportunity to bring two groups of people together — both our alumni as well as reformers and leaders of education in the community,” said Boston’s Director of New Site Development Josh Biber. “I think we can come to a point where we can really re-inspire each other and create new solutions.”
Biber, a TFA alumnus, said he encourages college students to join the group after graduation to inspire change.
“We can close the [education] gap,” he said. “Collectively, if we bring people together, we can change the prevailing ideology of this country. We fundamentally believe that all kids can and must learn. We can really make great change.”
TFA trains college graduates to teach children in low-income areas over a two-year period. The program aims to combat educational inequity caused by socioeconomic and racial divisions.
Last year, members of BU’s Black Student Union demanded TFA apologize for posting flyers, which they said were insensitive, in the College of Arts and Sciences that stated facts portraying minorities’ poor performance in education. After the November 2006 incident, the groups reconciled and worked together in future events.
About 300 alumni attended the daylong summit last weekend, which included panel and workshop discussions on topics such as leadership in education reform, social entrepreneurship, politics and policy in education and alumni opportunities.
“We need to become both much bigger and much more diverse,” said TFA founder and CEO Wendy Kopp in her opening remarks. “[We need to] ensure that our core members are all the more successful.”
Kopp spoke about the importance of fostering a strong community of alumni, an attitude echoed by many in attendance.
“This is a very strong network, and it is growing,” said TFA alumnus Greg Santoni. “It’s a pretty powerful base, so I think that through that we can effect change.”
Alumnus Nweusi Willingham said the most memorable part of the day for him was learning how former alumni have committed themselves to public education. He also said the high turnout was “a good indicator that alums are interested in finding a way to support the program.”
“I feel like the workshops are great, but what makes coming to these things great is that there are so many people here,” said alum Terri Ferraguto. “It’s such a nice reminder of how huge it is.”