Teaching for America at home

David Bramlett had planned on traveling overseas after college to work with the underprivileged, until he discovered the need in the United States.

"I began to realize there were issues really close to home that I was overlooking, education issues that were injustices really close to where I was living," he said. "I became intrigued about these issues, and Teach for America provided a great opportunity to get involved."

Bramlett, a Georgia native and Wheaton College graduate, said his students have challenges to overcome, such as not knowing the alphabet. "Seeing examples of these 5- and 6-year-olds take off in reading, no matter the situation, their being able to step forward and really achieve is a great joy," he said. Read more about the work of Teach for America in Maryland in The Washington Post online.