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Therese Lung

Therese Lung, Friend of TeachersCount
A Harvard graduate, Therese has spent the last 20 years working as a software engineer for companies such as Sybase and Icon Medialab, in the U.S. and France. Lately, she has volunteered her skills and services by tutoring in underserved communities and helping with website development for organizations like TeachersCount.

Before You Teach

Read Up On It

Read a detailed teacher job description here.

Get involved in education

Before committing to a program, try to gain experience working within a classroom or with youths in the age group you wish to teach. Below are some programs that provide valuable work and/or volunteer experience for future teachers. In addition, check with local schools in your community for volunteer opportunities such as tutoring programs.

America Reads/America Counts for college students
America Reads, a national campaign that was initiated in 1997, challenges every American to help our children learn to read well and independently by the end of elementary school. Nationwide, there are approximately 1200 colleges and universities participating in the America Reads Challenge. Building on the success of the America Reads Challenge, America Counts was initiated in July, 1999, as an effort to improve student achievement in mathematic and assist students in mastering challenging mathematics, including the foundations of algebra and geometry, by the end of the 9th grade. Nationwide, there are approximately 300 colleges and universities participating in America Counts. The program provides work-study-eligible students with the opportunity to gain experience working with children, as well as the ability to earn money for school. Check with your college or university to see if they participate.
Everybody Wins – Power Lunch ideal for those considering a career change
Power Lunch is a lunchtime literacy and mentoring program in which elementary school students are matched one-on-one with volunteers from companies and other community organizations to share lunch, conversation, and good books. The program operates out of 43 cities. Visit their website for locations and more information.
Learning Leaders
Learning Leaders helps New York City public school students succeed by training volunteers to provide tutoring and other school-based support, and by equipping parents to foster their own children’s educational development. Founded in 1956 as the New York City School Volunteer Program, Learning Leaders was the first program of its kind in the country and has been a national leader in its field. Volunteers work with students in all grades from pre-K through high school in reading, English as a Second Language, math and other subjects. In the upper grades, they also prepare students for critical examinations and assist with college planning and financial aid. Other volunteers introduce art or share a love of books.