I am writing in response to the June 19 editorial “Recruiting the best” about Teach for America’s targeted recruitment efforts of top college graduates. The editorial mentioned that new Teach for America recruits chose to serve in the program because “All wanted to be part of something bigger than themselves.” I run the Jumpstart program at DePaul University, which is also an AmeriCorps program that trains college students to work with preschool children residing in low-income neighborhoods and matches each college student with one preschooler for an academic year. Like Teach for America, Jumpstart is also trying to solve the problem of unequal education in America, but we do it one preschooler at a time.
In Chicago we currently work with children living in North Lawndale, Uptown, Humboldt Park, Little Village and West Town. The students I manage put in long hours every week and show an amazing level of dedication to the preschoolers, families and teachers. Though the students I work with do get paid by the hour, they are all full-time students with heavy class loads, many with long commutes to and from the preschools. They could easily have a college job that allows them to do their homework on the job instead of chasing around gleeful 3-year-olds on the playground.
When I ask the Jumpstart members what keeps them motivated to work hard, I get inspiring responses. They tell me they enjoy doing work that is rewarding and that no job can make them feel as happy as the hug from a 4-year-old who has finally learned how to write his name.
I hear that they enjoy doing a job that makes a difference each and every day.
There is so much emphasis on the self-centered generation of young adults today, but there are thousands of young adults like the ones in the Jumpstart program at DePaul who have decided to make a difference in the lives of others by serving their country as AmeriCorps members.
