Member Spotlight: Jake Landen, Teach For America-AL Member

Meet Jake Landen, 7th Grade Science Teacher, currently serving with JCIB Middle Years Programme, a service site of the Teach For America-AL AmeriCorps program.

1. What motivated you to join AmeriCorps? I was motivated by the inequity that I saw around me. The Teach for America-AL AmeriCorps Program allows me the opportunity to work directly with the issue of education that is driving the inequality. I am motivated by the students because they are our future.

2. What would you like to get out of this service opportunity? I would like to serve because of the issues. I think that these opportunities to serve are made to test your values and what you choose to stand firm in. I choose to use my talents and strengths to impact students.

3. What will your service focus on for the 2019-20 program year? During this program year, my service will focus on maximizing student achievement by having them grow 3 points on the ACT.

4. What are your plans after AmeriCorps? After AmeriCorps, I would like to continue working at JCIB as long as they will have me or until I am called elsewhere. This seems to be a great opportunity to work with some of the best young minds in the state. I plan on becoming the best teacher that I can become.

Thank you for your service, Jake!