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Elysa Vargas ’06 Teaching for America

Elysa Vargas '06

Elysa Vargas ’06 was selected to join Teach for America as one of the 2006 corps of outstanding college graduates. This highly selective program recruits recent college graduates of all academic majors who commit to teach for two years in urban and rural public schools. Teach for America is dedicated to giving every child the opportunity for an excellent education, and has the goal that its alumni become lifelong leaders in the effort to increase educational opportunity.

A Los Angeles native, Vargas always wanted to stay in the area and make a difference. This desire comes naturally to Vargas, as her mother is a principal in the Los Angeles School District and has worked at schools in South Central and East Los Angeles.

“It may sound corny, but my mom has been an incredible influence on me in terms of my goals and applying for Teach for America. She has always encouraged me to be part of the community and to be involved with people. She leads by example,” Vargas said.

Vargas was greatly involved in the Pitzer community as a Resident Assistant and took part in Jumpstart while at Pitzer.

Teach for America
Teach For America is the national corps of outstanding recent college graduates and professionals of all academic majors, career interests, and professional backgrounds who commit two years to teach in urban and rural public schools and become leaders in the effort to expand educational opportunity.
www.teachforamerica.org.

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