Five More Scholars to "Teach for America"
June 15, 2006
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Five College Park Scholars will join the cadre of 3,500 Teach for America corps members, prepared to teach over 300,000 students across the United States. Stacy Driggin, Tori Jackson, Brian Jaffe, Melissa Sowin and Ana Toledo will convene in Compton, Ca., New York City, or Houston, TX, with other cadets, to complete their training in preparation for their two-year teaching assignments in low-income community public schools.
Stacy Driggin earned her Bachelor of Science degree this spring, majoring in microbiology with a minor in Spanish language, literature and cultures. Stacy received her College Park Scholars' Earth, Life and Time citation in 2004. Though Stacy's has always had medical career aspirations, she particularly wants to assist "those in need of nutrition, housing, adequate health care, and most importantly education." She realized that Teach for America was a unique opportunity to make such an impact. The daughter of Seth Driggin and Ellen Driggin, Stacy is a 2002 graduate from Livingston High School.
Tori Jackson earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish language and literature. Participating in the College Park Scholars' Public Leadership program, Tori earned her citation in 2004. Tori's commitment to social justice drew her to Teach-for-America and its mission to provide access to quality education for all children, regardless of socioeconomic status. The daughter of Richard and Maria Jackson of Richmond, VA, Tori is a 2002 graduate of Saint Gertrude High School.
While pursuing his Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy, Brian Jaffe participated in the College Park Scholars' Arts program, earning his Scholars citation in 2003. Brian sees his participation in Teach for America as a pathway to influence change in the public education system, a call to which he feels personally and deeply drawn. The son of Mark Jaffe and Karen Bergman, Brian is a 2001 graduate of Mount St. Joseph High School. earned his bachelor of arts degree in philosophy.
Melissa Sowin earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology this May. While at Maryland, Melissa participated in the Advocates for Children program in College Park Scholars, earning her citation in 2004. Throughout her undergraduate career, particularly in experiences in the Advocates for Children program, Melissa studied and witnessed many of the hardships children in low-income areas endure. She sees her participation in Teach-for-America being one where she not only will provide students a solid educational foundation, but she - in turn - will learn much from them, her teaching colleagues and the community in which she will teach. The daughter of Timothy and Alice Sowin, Melissa is a 2002 graduate of Clarkstown High School North, In Congers, NY.
In 2001, Ana Toledo earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in government and politics. While at the University, Ana participated in the College Park Scholars' International Studies program, earning her citation in 1999. Influenced by her participation in the University of Maryland's America Reads program, Ana believes in the importance of educational equality. She is excited to be joining a community of individuals dedicated to attacking educational disparities and improving the lives of low-income students. Ana is a 1997 graduate of Springbrook High School, in Silver Spring, Md.
Last year, Melissa Freedman, Michael Prada, Kaitlin McDermott, Erin Auerbach and Kara Schiess began their two-year, Teach for America adventure.
For more information on College Park Scholars or this release, contact: Kevin Baxter, bax@umd.edu, 301-314-2777
