By Fritz Edelstein
November 1, 2004

Miami Mayor Manny Diaz participated in the annual nationwide Teach for America Week October 25 in which more than 250 leaders from all sectors spend time teaching in some of our nation's lowest income schools. The purpose of this effort is to highlight the need to expand educational opportunity and inspire students to pursue education to attain their life goals. This week is celebrated in cities and communities across the country, which participates in the Teach for America program.

Diaz visited Holmes Elementary School to teach a third grade class about government. Diaz's lesson plan consisted of talking with students about the structure of the city of Miami and explaining the different city departments that provide services. Students discussed scenarios that citizens routinely face and how they would be best able to utilize municipal resources. The best question of the mayor from a student was, "If you are here who is running the city?"

"I always enjoy being around children. They offer an innocence and excitement about the world that is refreshing," said Diaz. "I have the utmost respect for the job teachers do and I commend the Teach for America program for helping fill a void in our educational system."

This event is part of the Mayor's Mentoring Initiative that is committed to improve the grades and quality of life for the children who attend schools in the city of Miami. Holmes Elementary was the first site for this initiative. The school also just received funding from the 21st Century Community Learning Center program to provide intensive academic and enrichment opportunities for some 150 students after school.

Teach for America has six teachers in Holmes Elementary School. It is a national corps of outstanding recent college graduates of all academic majors who commit to two years to teach in urban and rural public schools, and become lifelong leaders in the effort to ensure that all children have an equal chance to a quality education and life. For more information go to the website teachforamerica.org.