Teach For America Phoenix (TFA) announced their newest cohort of 2019 corps members, and recognizes Thunderbirds Charities for their gift of $265,000 and the critical role this investment makes in building the leadership pipeline here in Phoenix for the 2019-2020 school year.

In sponsoring the local recruitment and training of 25 promising leaders, Thunderbirds Charities’ donation of $265,000 provided TFA Phoenix with an opportunity to welcome additional corps members into the Phoenix community. The incoming corps size increased significantly, as TFA welcomed 76 corps members for the summer program.   As a result of Thunderbirds’ investment, the TFA Phoenix 2019 corps will increase educational access and opportunity for over 5,700 students across the valley. In addition, corps members will begin their two year commitment with a rigorous six-week training program to develop the instructional skills needed to be ready for the first day of teaching.

TFA Regional Board Chair Jim Swanson said, “I’m already so impressed with this group of leaders. They’re bright, ambitious and driven. With the support of Thunderbirds, they’ll now have the opportunity to serve in the communities that need it the most, and to change the lives of students growing up in Arizona.”

“Thunderbirds has always been an organization committed to educational excellence and providing opportunity to those that need it most.” said Chance Cozby, President of Thunderbirds Charities. “It’s great that two dynamic organizations are partnering together to make an even bigger impact here in the community,” he said.

Teach For America is a leadership development organization that recruits remarkable, diverse college graduates and professionals to teach for at least two years in low-income communities, and supports them as lifelong leaders and advocates working from every sector and field to increase educational opportunities for students. The organization has been a community partner in Phoenix since Teach For America launched locally in 1994. Currently, there are nearly 500 Teach For America corps members and alumni teaching in Arizona’s schools with over 1,000 alumni working across numerous communities to expand opportunities for children and families.

Visit www.teachforamerica.org

This grant is part of the Spring 2019 cycle. View a list of all Recent Grantees.