“It has become clear to me that all children do not have access to excellent education. I want to be a part of closing that gap.”
-amelia wortham
What is Teach For America?
Teach for America is a nonprofit working to eliminate the educational partisanship plaguing our country by mentoring leaders and growing them into educational change-makers. Teach for America believes every child deserves to achieve, regardless of circumstance. To advance this objective, new corps members are given opportunities to teach up to two years in local, under-resourced public schools where they can help students to succeed.
In 2006, TFA established a branch in Memphis TN. Fueled by the mission of Martin Luther King Jr, Teach for America Memphis is combating academic inequality by recruiting talented educators and introducing them to a professional environment where they can develop skills for change in a city of great potential. In the past month alone, TFA Memphis has gained 35 new educators, all eager to foster an even playing-field for Memphis schools. Over the next few weeks, CL is delighted to introduce some of these bright new recruits and allow a little insight into their individual aspirations.
say hello to amelia wortham
Native Tennessean Amelia has a heart for advocacy that traces back to her childhood growing up with a sibling that struggled in school while balancing a disability. She studied Criminal Justice and Sociology in college, which directly influenced her desire to make a difference in cities like Memphis, where the correlation between crime and opportunity weigh heavily against one another.
“TFA’s mission–that one day all children will have the opportunity to attain an excellent education–really spoke to me. It is a true passion of mine to give kids agency over their own education and the ability to succeed in a community that may not always give them the best chance.” That’s why Amelia is here with TFA in Memphis to pave the way for a generation of students who deserve to succeed.
how has the teach for america experience been beneficial so far?
“TFA has genuinely changed me as a person in so many ways in just 4 short weeks. As a relatively shy person when it comes to public speaking, I have been forced out of my shell and it has been so incredibly rewarding. I have become extremely confident in the way I convey ideas and instructions to children, and have learned so many life skills as well. TFA is quite possibly the best decision I have ever made for my own personal development.”
what inspired you to become a teacher?
“Growing up, I had a mix of different types of teachers. I was often inspired by teachers who were not afraid to advocate for their students, as they know what they need the most. In addition to this, I have a special needs brother who has struggled in school his entire life. My mom is such an inspiration to me, as she fights to advocate for my brother’s needs every day of her life. My goal is to be able to do that for my students, especially those who are not fortunate enough to have that support system.”
If you could leave your students with one lesson to carry for life, what would it be?
“Stop caring what others think! Take care of YOU!”
Fun Fact
Amelia is talented in more ways than one. While her main dedication is to education, she actually has a fondness and proficiency for music. Through her high school years, Amelia enjoyed playing the drums on a regular basis.