A call to serve...

When my dad called me to tell me that McCain had just spoken about Teach For America during the "Presidential Service Forum" on September 11th - I have to say, I was surprised...this was the second time that I would hear of the senator from Arizona speaking about education in the way that the organization that I work for sees it. The first time was during McCain's acceptance speech that he actually proclaimed "Education is this generation's civil rights issue" - something that Teach For America has been saying since its beginning in 1990.

Obviously, McCain has learned about what Teach For America is providing for our country - and especially our students. I can only guess that McCain has known about Teach For America because of its presence in Phoenix, AZ - where 288 corps members where placed just last year and where Teach For America's 6th summer training institute opened just this past summer. I know there are critics out there who talk about the "teach for awhile" idea that Teach For America is often linked to since the commitment to teach is only 2 years - however, if you look at the studies and what Teach For America's theory of change is - you will see that by having Teach For America be talked about in a national setting, by a presidential candidate shows that the movement is growing and may truly change the course of public education in this country.

I'm surprised as any to hear a conservative Republican speak about education they way McCain has...and I think this really does show that he is willing to do what is good and right for this country - even if it means working with those that most likely will not vote for him.

I am not saying that the organization that I work for aligns itself to a certain party - but I will say that I am the minority in my working environment and the people I work with are often surprised when they first learn about my political views.

Here's part (full) of the transcript from the "Presidential Service Forum" :

JUDY WOODRUFF (PBS): Senator, do you — what are there — what are the obligations of citizenship, other than paying taxes? Should there be — do you see service connected to what you’re talking about in Washington and should there be something compulsory?

JOHN MCCAIN: I don’t think so, Judy. I don’t think — because I think when you compel someone to do something, then you basically are in contradictions to the fundamental principle of having people wanting to serve and willing and eager to serve.

Americans are still eager to serve. Americans, when we look at all of the programs that we made available, almost all of them, in fact, all of them are oversubscribed by people who are volunteering. What’s the most — probably one of the lead organizations in America today?

It’s Teach for America. Where vastly — thousands more are seeking to be part of that program, to go in the inner cities of America and teach children.

McCain is right there were over 20,000 applications to the Teach For America program last recruitment season - only 4,100 of those applications turned into first year teachers this fall. So, there are about 16,000 recent college-grads and young professionals who at least when they applied - wanted to be a part of something bigger than themselves...I often wonder what happens to those 16,000 or so. My hope is that they do go and do some sort of service in whatever field they choose.

I would have to correct McCain on one point that he makes - particularly relating to Teach For America's generation of applications. Having been a part of the recruitment team - I can tell you that yes - in some cases you do have to compel people to serve (or to at least apply). There is quite a bit of blood, sweat, and tears that goes into getting those 20,000 applications to Teach For America...but knowing that this program is finally being talked about by leaders of our country, maybe - just maybe we will have a nation of people wanting to serve and to make a difference in some capacity that is fitting to their own skills, knowledge, and mindset.

Maybe if we have a president who works for the service of others we can make progress in this nation. Maybe we will finally get to point where instead of seeking justification of why we are sacrificing for others --- we will only ask ourselves "How can we justify not sacrificing for those that need us the most?"

Maybe I'm idealistic, but if we don't strive for the ideal...then what's the point.