by Nolan Oberg, '05
Rachael Parker, '12, was offered a position with
Teach for America (TFA) during her senior year at Berea College. A year later, she is in her fully-established 3rd grade classroom in Cincinnati. Rachael is at a Title I Charter School, Cincinnati Speech and Reading (
CSR Academy).
Rachael served as a
Berea Ambassador with the Office of Alumni Relations at Berea. Through that experience, Rachael learned the importance of promoting Berea and acting as an ambassador. It was no surprise to see her continue this after graduation by making Berea College her official school for "College Corner" in her classroom. This school-wide program is aimed at empowering young students to dream about college and realize that higher education is possible. Rachael's class learns about Berea regularly and even created a Berea classroom chant:
Berea Can Achieve
Berea Can Honor
Berea is a Team
Berea Works Harder
Yeah, Yeah
I'm on My Way to College
I listen to My Teacher Everyday for Knowledge
CSR is a Pathway
Work Hard, Get Smart--That's What We Say!
I Have Enthusiasm
I Learn to Read and Write
I know my Numbers and I'm Out of Sight
Look At Me Now. Look at Me Now
Oh
I am a Scholar
Look at Me Now. Look at Me Now
Oh
As Bright as My Future