Since Connecticut’s founding as a colony, our state has led innovation in government, culture, industry and education. From our nation’s first law school to the first academy in New England for African-American women, and the American School for the Deaf, Connecticut champions to expand access to education and has historically been a source of pride and leadership. In our neighborhoods and as a st
atewide community, we realize the importance of strengthening education systems so that they provide the excellent education necessary for all citizens to have a chance at academic and life success, that will in turn, contribute to Connecticut’s legacy as a place of prosperity. Still in 2014, Connecticut continued to show the largest gaps in the nation between educational achievement of low-income students and their more affluent peers, as well as between African-American and Latino students, and their white peers indicating that we are not delivering on our promise to prepare all of our students for educational life and success. Many parents, members of the faith-based community, non-profit organizations, and schools in Connecticut have recognized injustice of educational inequity and are committed to addressing it in significant ways. These dedicated community members have been and continue to be integral to our commitment to the communities of Stamford, Bridgeport, New Haven, Hartford and Windham. At Teach for America – Connecticut, we recruit, train and develop college graduates and career-changing professional as one additional source of teaching talent in public schools. Over time our alumni will help contribute long-term leadership capacity in classrooms, throughout the district and in sectors that address challenges in under-resourced schools and communities. Today a growing number of examples are proving that when students’ needs are supported and they are held to high expectations, all students have the potential for success. In schools and community programs in Stamford, Bridgeport, New Haven, Hartford and Windham kids from all backgrounds are getting on the path to college and life success. In our communities, we seek to help lead and build tremendous urgency to ensure that these examples are no longer the exception, but the rule.
