30 Washington University graduates join Teach for America

Teachers serve in high-need classrooms

This fall, some 30 Washington University in St. Louis graduates joined Teach for America, the program that places top students in urban and rural classrooms.

Teach for America reports that WUSTL has consistently ranked high among mid-sized colleges and universities that contribute students. This year, Washington University is No. 12. Harvard and Vanderbilt universities tied for the top spot this year, both contributing 45 students.

All together, 369 WUSTL students have joined Teach for America since the program’s start in 1990.

This year’s Teach for America class of 5,900 teachers comes from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines. Teach for America reports that 39 percent of its new teachers identify as people of color and 26 percent are the first in their family to earn a college degree. Twenty-six percent are graduate students or professionals.