| Newark, New Jersey – My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) Newark, an initiative of Newark Opportunity Youth Network (NOYN) built on the Obama Foundation’s My Brother’s Keeper Alliance, welcomed more than 60 new Teach for America (TFA) teachers (known as corps members) to New Jersey. The new TFA corps members attended several weeks of intense summer training at four different summer school sites across Camden and Newark, including Marion P. Thomas Charter School.
“MBK Newark is working to advance educational and economic outcomes for boys and young men of color,” said Robert Clark, Founder & CEO, Newark Opportunity Youth Network (NOYN). “We are committed to driving positive change in our community through education, and great teachers are instrumental in helping us build a brighter future for our young people. We look forward to seeing the impact these new Teach for America corps members will have on our youth as they progress through the six MBK Milestones.”
MBK Newark’s efforts to support educators this summer is part of their attempt to advance the six MBK Milestones. Research has shown that the MBK Milestones are predictive of later success and are moments within a young person’s life where interventions can have the greatest impact, and having quality teachers plays an important role in young people’s lives.
TFA New Jersey is one of the largest and most diverse teacher talent pipelines in New Jersey. Corps members make a lifelong commitment to educational equity, and spend at least two years teaching in under-resourced schools in rural and urban areas nationwide. In New Jersey, they serve in more than 30 partner schools in Camden, Paterson, and Newark. Last year, more than 70% of corps members taught in Newark schools, and the organization anticipates a majority of corps members to serve the city again for the 2024 – 2025 school year.
“For more than 30 years, Teach for America has recruited talented leaders to reimagine education in classrooms across New Jersey and the nation,” said Tahina Perez, ED of Teach For America New Jersey. “This work would not be possible without partners like the Newark Opportunity Youth Network, which has championed our newest educators from the very beginning of their journeys and helped them appreciate the power of centering student voice. This event was a special opportunity for our teachers to listen to and learn from their community. It’s one that I know will stay with them throughout their lifetimes as they ensure every child has an equal opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.”
At a training this summer, several students from the NOYN and LEAD Charter School shared what they learned from their research project, “Newark Youth Voices: Revolutionizing the Quality of Education in Newark.” During the project, youth advocates from LEAD Charter School were able to facilitate 33 conversations with more than 170 young people from across the city and hear about how they are experiencing education in the city. Among the themes that came up were the importance of fostering a sense of belonging and supporting mental health. These findings were shared with the TFA corps members to support them in fostering more supportive classroom environments.
This year, TFA NJ summer training includes sessions on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), culturally responsive pedagogy, phonics and reading skills, understanding special education, and more.
“I am excited about the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded educators, community leaders, and families to create lasting impact and further empower students to reach their full potential,” said Julia Morris, TFA NJ 2024 corps member. “I am ready to immerse myself in both the challenges and triumphs of the education system, working as hard as I can to ensure that every child receives the education they deserve.”
TFA New Jersey started with just 23 corps members in 1993. What began so many years ago has become a powerful network of 1,800 alumni and corps members fighting in the movement for education equity across the state. Seeking to ensure it represents the communities it serves, more than 50% of the TFA NJ 2024 corps of teachers identifies as a person of color, and 70% of today’s corps members call New Jersey home.
“The teachers in my life have helped me change as a person,” said Zaire White, a LEAD Charter School student and Youth Advocate who shared his experience with TFA teachers during the training this summer. “Before I attended LEAD Charter School, I didn’t care about school, but my teachers helped me find my purpose and passion. Just as my teachers were role models to me, I work each day to be a role model to others. Thanks to those who invested so much time and energy in me, I am excited about pursuing higher education and a career in construction.”
Through the MBK Newark initiative, NOYN will continue organizing opportunities for young men like Zaire to share stories about their journey through the MBK milestones and lessons to be learned about how to better support boys and young men of color in Newark and beyond.
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