Celebration honoring local education advocates
(Oklahoma City, OK) — Teach For America-Central Oklahoma, in partnership with OGE Energy Corp., will host its first-ever "Donors Appreciation Celebration and Silent Auction" from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Friday, April 1, at the Individual Artists of Oklahoma Galleries, located at 706 W. Sheridan in Oklahoma City. This special evening will highlight the impact of Teach For America-Central Oklahoma's corps members, alumni and local educational advocates.Honorees that will be recognized for their ongoing contributions and commitment to local education efforts during the evening include:
OGE Energy Corporation
Bob Ross – President & CEO, Inasmuch Foundation
Oklahoma City Public Schools
David Hudiburg – President & CEO, Hudiburg Auto Group
Oklahoma State Department of Education
"Teach For America-Central Oklahoma is fighting to eliminate educational inequity in our state by enlisting our nation's most promising future leaders in the effort," said Arturo Serna, Jr., executive director of Teach For America-Central Oklahoma. "The continued support by local champions of our work enables us to fulfill our commitment to our region's students. The hard work of our teachers, other dedicated educators and our students serves as proof that all children can and will succeed when given the opportunity."
Locally, Teach For America has become an important partner in the effort to ensure that every child has access to an excellent and equitable education. The organization recruits top college graduates and professionals, prepares them to teach in urban and rural public schools, where they work for at least two years alongside other faculty to make a meaningful difference for their students; and develops them as leaders in education and other fields committed to ensuring that our country lives up to its highest ideals for every child.
"As a strong supporter of education in our communities we're proud to support the organization and its teachers as they work to unleash potential in every student," said Sean Trauschke, President and CEO, OGE Energy Corp.
Funds raised from this event will support Teach For America-Central Oklahoma's efforts to recruit, train and develop teachers in local high-need schools. An overview of Teach For America-Central Oklahoma's Gold, Silver and Bronze sponsors follows:
Gold-Sponsor
OGE Energy Corp.
Silver Sponsors
· The Journal Record
· Christy and Jim Everest
· Loves Country Stores
Bronze Sponsors
· Ms. Joan Johnson
· Dr. Ed Shadid
· Oklahoma State University
· Connect CEC
· Accel Financial Staffing
· Integris Cancer Institute
Since 2009, TFA-Oklahoma has recruited more than 1,000 recent college graduates and professionals from all over the country, including Oklahoma, to teach in at-risk, under resourced classrooms and make a lifelong commitment to expanding educational opportunity. Currently, Teach For America corps members and alumni teach in school communities throughout Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Lawton, Sapulpa and Muskogee. Teach For America's partnership in these communities has impacted nearly 100,000 children statewide to date.
Teach For America's regional network includes nearly 300 alumni working from an array of sectors to ensure that all children have an equal chance in life. Among Teach For America alumni in Oklahoma, more than 80 percent work in education, with many continuing to teach as well as serve in key school, district and non-profit leadership positions.
Nationally, Teach For America marked its first quarter-century this school year with a milestone: The organization's community topped 50,000. This network of leaders includes more than 8,600 current corps members teaching across 52 urban and rural regions and 42,000 alumni working from a variety of industries to ensure that all children have an equal chance in life. Among Teach For America alumni, 84 percent report working in education or with low-income communities.
Teach For America-Central Oklahoma is still accepting sponsorships and in-kind donations for the "Donor Appreciation Celebration and Silent Auction." If you have questions or would like to submit a donation, please email or call Kevan Goff-Parker, Manager of Development and Strategic Communications, at (405) 684-4699 or kevan.goff-parker@teachforamerica.org.
About Teach For America: Teach For America works in partnership with communities to expand educational opportunity for children facing the challenges of poverty. Founded in 1990, Teach For America recruits and develops a diverse corps of outstanding college graduates and professionals to make an initial two-year commitment to teach in high-need schools and become lifelong leaders in the effort to end educational inequity.
Today, 8,600 corps members are teaching in 52 urban and rural regions across the country while more than 42,000 alumni work across sectors to ensure that all children have access to an excellent education. Teach For America is a proud member of the AmeriCorps national service network. For more information, visit www.teachforamerica.org and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
The Gayly - 3/20/2016 @ 8:37 a.m. CST