In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, numerous Americans have answered the call to service, and GW alumni are no exception. Kate Cottrell, BBA ’05, is making a difference in Louisiana. Originally employed by Teach for America as a geometry teacher at New Orleans East High School, a school desperate for resources, Cottrell spent only one week teaching before Hurricane Katrina made its way across the gulf.

Following the hurricane, Cottrell took a temporary job with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assist with disaster relief and recovery in New Roads, La., seeing an average of 25 people a day, six days a week, as they applied for FEMA grants. Cottrell was one of 35 Teach for America members hired by FEMA after Hurricane Katrina forced the closings of New Orleans schools

In December Cottrell accepted an interim position as a recruitment fellow with Teach for America in New York. She currently works with schools to spread awareness of the goals of Teach for America and to recruit applicants. She hopes to return to New Orleans when a teaching position becomes available.

Teach for America annually launches efforts to recruit the most outstanding college seniors and recent college graduates who will become future leaders in business, medicine, politics, law, journalism, education, and social policy. GW’s selected teachers join more than 12,000 Teach for America corps members who teach in 21 low-income urban and rural areas.

The Princeton Review, Washington Monthly, and other organizations have recognized GW as a leading school for community service. The University is one of six nationwide participating in the Call to Serve Campaign with the Partnership for Public Service.