The 2002 documentary, "Teaching for America," followed four Teach for America teachers through their summer training and first semesters on the job.,”Students interested in applying to each for AmericaT got a sneak preview of the struggles and successes that accompany the program Wednesday night with a CNN documentary film screening on campus.

The 2002 documentary, "Teaching for America," followed four Teach for America teachers through their summer training and first semesters on the job.

Teach for America is a two-year commitment where recent college graduates serve as elementary, middle school or high school teachers in low-income communities.

According to Garrett Bucks, recruitment director for Teach for America, the program will have 3,700 teachers working in 28 or 29 urban and rural regions this coming year.

The documentary's subjects showed that going to such schools is no walk in the park.

The four teachers ran into problems ranging from students constantly taking bathroom breaks to 11th graders never having written basic three-paragraph essays.

While the documentary left unanswered questions about the teachers' ultimate success, Bucks filled the 18 audience members in on how the subjects fared after their two years in the classroom were up.

He said he met one subject, Matt Kelley, in 2005 and that he is now teaching 9th and 10th grade English on the west side of Chicago.

He said the other three helped their students improve by at least one and a half grade levels and that the teachers are now enrolled in doctorate programs or law school.

Those in attendance said they enjoyed the screening and hearing Bucks explain a little bit about the program.

Danielle Gilman, a College of Education sophomore, said she liked that the documentary wasn't trying to force people to apply for Teach for America.

"It didn't push you to do the program," she said. "It was kind of like, 'this is what it is—take it or leave it.' "

Danielle Vachon, a College of Business Administration senior, agreed.

"It definitely didn't overwhelm me," she said. "It was a good introduction to the program."

She said she's considering applying later this year. The next application date is Friday, Nov. 2. Those who are still considering applying can submit applications by Jan. 4 and Feb. 15.

Applications are available online at Teach for America's Web site.

To Bucks, the documentary captures the experience of the teachers. Bucks said he spent two years teaching on an Indian reservation in New Mexico.

"It's exciting to get to show you a real glimpse and honest glimpse of this program," Bucks said. "This is the most challenging, real, saddest, heart-breaking and life changing experience all of us have ever had."

For more information on Teach for America, pick up a Tribune next Thursday for a special section on the program itself, what students have to offer the program, how alumni have fared and what is being done for education in Milwaukee.

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