As we continue to explore careers in this annual special report, Diverse correspondent Kerri Allen takes a comprehensive look at the Teach For America program. We profile two former TFA teachers with experiences that could not be more different. Joshua Kaplowitz, assigned to an elementary school in Washington, D.C., feels strongly that TFA did not adequately prepare him to teach in an inner city classroom.  On the other hand, Lizette Suxo, assigned to an elementary school in the South Bronx, enjoyed the experience so much, she went on to earn her master’s in education and is now a principal at a charter school in Brooklyn. Some of the challenges that TFA teachers face are no different than those of first-year teachers assigned to similar schools. However, because it is a formal program, expectations on behalf of TFA teachers appear to be not only different but also higher.

Lastly, but certainly not least, Diverse contributing editor Dina Horwedel reports on the efforts of organizations to get more Hispanic students to consider the STEM disciplines early on — as in before college. Organizations such as the Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science are working on initiatives that would target students as early as preschool.

In this edition, we also have an interview with Dr. Ronald Williams, outgoing president of Prince George’s Community College; and reports on SREB’s annual minority doctoral scholars meeting, as well as efforts of University of California officials to improve diversity in a state hampered by the anti-affirmative action law Prop. 209.

Hilary Hurd Anyaso
Editor