UF has once again been ranked by the organization Teach for America as one of the top contributors of graduating seniors to the program.
UF ranked fifth on the list of large schools, behind the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Southern California, the University of California, Berkeley and the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. About 60 UF graduates were accepted into the program, said Shawnee Cohn, spokeswoman for the organization.
“Teach for America is a nonprofit dedicated to expanding opportunities for kids growing up in poverty,” she said. “We recruit recent college graduates and professionals to teach in high-need public schools across the country.”
Teach for America is a highly competitive program. Only 14 percent of about 57,000 applicants in 2013 were accepted. Cohn called UF “consistently a top contributor” to the program.
Hana Engroff is one such applicant. The UF alumna was accepted into the prestigious program last year and currently works for the San Antonio Independent School District. Two other Teach for America Gator graduates also work in San Antonio, Engroff said.
“It’s definitely a worthwhile organization, but it’s not for the weak,” the 21-year-old said. “You have to be committed, and you have to love the kids.”
A version of this story ran on page 1 on 9/13/2013 under the headline "UF ranked No. 5 graduate contributor to Teach for America"
