Teach for America

Teach For America recruits, trains and supports diverse leaders who commit to teaching for a minimum of two years in low-income urban and rural schools, and fosters their leadership for long-term systemic change in public education.  Here in the state capital, Teach For America  concentrates its teachers in Del Paso Heights, Oak Park and South Sacramento and inspires its  alumni to continue their focus on these key neighborhoods as well.

Since its launch in 2012, and under its Executive Director Nik Howard's leadership, Teach For America Capital Valley has expanded from just 16 teachers serving 6 schools and 1,000 students in Sacramento to 50 teachers serving 23 schools and 5,000 students across Sacramento and Stockton.  For the past four years Nik’s driving passion has been to expand educational opportunity to every child in Sacramento and the Central Valley.

He is rooted in the understanding that all children can achieve at high levels, combined with a deep belief in the potential of Sacramento and the Central Valley as a region.  Today’s research tells us this is where California’s next evolution will occur.  Its population is projected to grow by over 50% in the next 20-30 years due to a reasonable cost of living, an agricultural industry that continues to feed the nation, and a burgeoning innovation economy.  The size and diversity has the region poised to provide a talent pipeline unlike anything California has seen in recent years.  However, if it lacks the educational infrastructure necessary to allow all students to reach their true potential, this promising future is at risk.