DACAmented Teachers as Champions of Change

On June 15, 2012, President Obama announced that the Department of Homeland Security would establish the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) process, which allows select undocumented individuals who came to the United States as children and meet several guidelines to obtain temporary relief from removal and to apply for work authorization.The president said, “These are young people who study in our schools, they play in our neighborhoods, they’re friends with our kids, they pledge allegiance to our flag. They are Americans in their heart, in their minds, in every single way but one:  on paper.”

Since the 2012 announcement, more than 650,000 people have received DACA status and many of those individuals have chosen to take on work in critical fields of service to the nation. Among them are DACA recipients taking on the challenging and noble work of being a teacher. These teachers have become strong role models for students and families as well as change agents within their communities. In addition to working toward students’ academic success, DACAmented teachers who share the background of their students are uniquely positioned to have a profound impact on their students’ lives and the goals they set for their own futures. 

This July, the White House will honor DACAmented teachers as Champions of Change to recognize their outstanding work inside and outside of the classroom. We will celebrate the impact they are having in the lives of their students and within their communities.

Please help us identify outstanding teachers with DACA status in the following categories:

• Classroom Leader: Do you know a DACAmented teacher who is leading their students to achieve academic gains? Are his/her students on a path to make a year’s growth in their academic performance at the end of the year? Are his/her students on a different path academically as a result of having this teacher?
   
• School Leader: Do you know of a DACAmented teacher who is leading a school club, organization, or support group in their school? Is this teacher actively working to make the culture in their school is more inclusive of all students? Is this teacher actively creating opportunities for all students regardless of their immigration status?
   
• Community Leader:  Do you know a DACAmented teacher who is activating the parents and community leaders to advocate for issues that affect undocumented and DACAmented students? Is this teacher educating parents, teachers and community members about resources and opportunities available for undocumented students?

Please click here to submit your nomination by Midnight on Sunday, May 24^th.

Julie Rodriguez is Senior Advisor to the President and Senior Deputy Director of Publlic Engagement.