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FRESH OUT OF WILLAMETTE AND READY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD! THESE SIX NEW GRADUATES WILL DEDICATE TWO YEARS TO HELPING CHILDREN IN UNDERPRIVILEGED COMMUNITIES THROUGH THE TEACH FOR AMERICA PROGRAM.
Choy
Smith
Smyth
Underdahl
Wenger
Zhen
DEANNA CHOY ’15
COLLEEN SMYTH ’15
JON WENGER ’15
Music education major, specializing in percussion
History major, American ethnic studies minor
Psychology and economics major
Placement: Elementary special education in Oahu, Hawaii
Placement: Seventh-grade math in Nashville, Tennessee
Why I joined the program: “I’m excited to give back to my community. I’ve had great teachers who helped me become my best, and I hope to do the same for the next generation. I’m excited to work in special education because I can use music to connect with students and help them learn.”
Why I joined the program: “My parents and grandparents are current/former teachers, so I’ve been interested in teaching since I was very young. In college, I became passionate about education equity and creating a school system that works for all students. I’m excited to continue learning about and begin implementing culturally responsive and anti-oppressive teaching methods.”
LIZZY SMITH ’15 English major, American ethnic studies minor Placement: Eighth-grade English in New Orleans Why I joined: “Growing up privileged in the Bay Area of California, I witnessed daily the racial and class divisions that are so highly prevalent — not only in my community, but also nationwide. I am committed to becoming an educator, and I really hope to use literature to help my students empower themselves to make change and fight injustice.”
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SUMMER 2015
SOREN UNDERDAHL ’15 Politics and philosophy major, classical studies minor Placement: Elementary and middle school chemistry or general education in Memphis, Tennessee Why I joined the program: “As a politics major and community mentor, I’ve become passionate about social justice and educational inequity. I’m also very interested in teaching. I love the “aha!” moment when a student grasps a difficult concept. I’m very excited for the opportunity to make a difference in students’ lives.”
Placement: High school math on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota Why I joined the program: “In South Dakota, there are 0.8 teachers per teacher needed. Classes are crowded, and the selection is limited. It’s exciting to go somewhere with a real need for teachers and to help address the systemic issues of education inequality.”
SIMON ZHEN ’15 Politics major, Chinese studies minor Placement: General education or special education in New York Why I joined the program: “Despite my acceptance into a few law schools, I decided to enroll in Teach for America. Teaching English and Chinese in Salem and China has given me interest and confidence in teaching. I can empathize with my potential students, as I struggled in school during my teen years.”
Illustration by Stuart Patience