Houston Daily

Teach For America (TFA) Houston and EMERGE have announced the inauguration of a new shared office space aimed at enhancing educational opportunities in Houston.

On May 6, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to mark the opening of this new office located at 3555 Timmons Lane. The event was attended by alumni, partners, and community members. The initiative is designed to foster collaboration between TFA Houston and EMERGE, increase operational efficiency, and support their work with students in underserved communities. This co-location reflects a joint commitment to improving educational access and outcomes in Houston, as said in a press release.

"This office marks not just a move, but a chance to reimagine what collaboration can look like when two organizations with a shared commitment to Houston’s students come together," said Tiffany Cuellar Needham, executive director of Teach For America Houston.

Teach For America Houston was established in 1991 and collaborates with local school districts and charter networks to enhance educational opportunities for students in underserved areas. The organization recruits and trains diverse leaders who commit to teaching for two years in high-need schools. With over 2,200 corps members and alumni, TFA Houston impacts more than 31,000 students across the region. Corps members receive ongoing support to develop as educators and leaders, with many continuing in education beyond their initial commitment. According to its website, TFA Houston aims to address educational inequity at all levels of the system.

EMERGE assists high-achieving students from low-income communities with applying to, attending, and graduating from selective colleges and universities. It serves over 3,300 students across five Houston-area school districts and partners with more than 150 colleges nationwide. Its program includes college tours, SAT preparation, writing workshops, summer learning opportunities, and one-on-one college advising. EMERGE reports that its students graduate at a rate five times the national average for their demographic. The organization has over 1,000 alumni enrolled in graduate programs or employed at companies such as IBM, Meta Platforms Inc., Occidental Petroleum Corporation (Oxy), Accenture plc., Boeing Company, Deloitte LLP., and Goldman Sachs Group Inc., according to its website.