Teachers Go To Work At Disaster Recovery Centers 

Release Date: October 7, 2005
Release Number: 1603-066

» More Information on Louisiana Hurricane Katrina

BATON ROUGE, La. -- Teachers, who had been working with Teach For America in Louisiana communities before the hurricanes, started jobs in federal/state Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) throughout the state last Monday. About 25 teachers have been trained to be managers in existing DRCs, thus freeing experienced staff to work in new centers. After some experience in the field, several of the teachers will be trained to teach newly hired workers the Individuals and Households Program. This program provides disaster assistance to eligible disaster victims through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco wanted to find a way to keep these teachers in Louisiana , so they will be available in the state when schools reopen. The Governor's office, in coordination with FEMA, worked to create jobs that would allow these teachers to stay in the area during the recovery process. At the same time, the addition of the teachers to the DRCs increases the staff available to assist hurricane victims who need help.

Teach For America is a non-profit group devoted to bringing excellence in teaching to all areas of the country. The organization recruits the best and brightest of recent college graduates, asking them to commit two years to working in low-income areas.

Many teachers had been teaching in poor and rural areas around New Orleans . When Hurricane Katrina was about to hit, these teachers evacuated, along with many thousands of other Louisiana residents. Like other residents, their homes were destroyed and their jobs are gone. These jobs allow the teachers to get back on their feet, while helping with the recovery effort.

Another group of displaced educators for Teach For America is set to be trained for these jobs soon, bringing the total to as many as 55 teachers, with additional teachers likely to be trained in the future.

FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.

Last Modified: Friday, 07-Oct-2005 08:05:19