“Teach for America” held a general information meeting on Wednesday in the Commonwealth Lounge in Goodell for anyone who was interested in education as a career or just a post-graduate option.

This meeting and the organization could be especially valuable for seniors who will be looking for work after graduation, according to Farley Griner, the campaign coordinator.

“I like what this [program] stands for,” Nate Waddicor said, a senior Exercise Science major.

Waddicor heard about this organization three years ago and is applying this February so he can start teaching the following September if accepted.

Current president of Teach for America, Wendy Kopp, founded this nationwide organization in 1989. A graduate of Princeton University, she wanted to make a difference in the existing gaps in the educational system.

Now a team of 7,000 corps members in 16 different urban and rural areas, the organization continues to recruit more than 1,000 graduates each year.

Their main goal is to make higher education and opportunities a reality for all children and their mission statement read, “One day, all children in our nation will have the opportunity to attain an excellent education.”

Griner said people are rewarded by the experience they get from new perspectives and reevaluation of what is important.

“There are disparities and inequalities that exist in America’s education,” Griner said. “That’s not the way it should be and we can change that.”

The organization recognizes the urban and rural areas that lack the resources in order to keep up with more affluent areas. The schools are a victim of the lack of resources and services and can further the gap if not dealt with.

Teach for America wants to make palpable changes by providing classrooms with competent teachers to directly help individuals during their two-year commitment.

Recruits should have certain qualities that meet the standard of what the organization calls for. They are looking for highly organized individuals who can carry out various responsibilities while respecting others.

These two years call for commitment and a devout willingness to make a difference while participating in the organization, with hopes to prolong the effects with the individual’s impact.

Long-term goals are also imperative in their agenda, which deals with problems outside of the schools as well as inside the classrooms.

This means curving the gap through economic and social adjustments. Better health care services are also necessary for improving the quality of the different areas.

“We need to give them the tools that we’ve been given,” Griner said.

It is the first year that Griner’s position as campaign coordinator has existed at the University of Massachusetts and her position is open for next year.

“I would like to see awareness increase and interest in the internship so we can have a better team,” Griner said.

On the Web: www.teachforamerica.org.