Digital Opportunity Trust (DOT) USA's TeachUp! Program, harnesses the power of youth and technology to accelerate student learning, involvement and technological proficiency in over 250 K-12 public schools. The TeachUp! Program works to transform education by empowering teachers to provide the tools and skills needed to help their students emerge successfully in a technology driven economy. DOT USA recruits, trains and places tech- savvy AmeriCorps Members into public schools where they spend the year helping teachers multiply their use of technology and educational resources in the classroom, workplace, and beyond. TeachUp! Members help increase morale, retention and proficiency in utilizing technology and offer comprehensive professional development skills training. In fact, 98% of teachers have noted that their students are growing in technology proficiency since the TeachUp! Program has arrived, and 98% of teachers have seen a noticeable increase in their students’ level of engagement since increasing their technology use.

Over the past six years, DOT USA has taken root in communities along the Gulf Coast and Delta regions of Mississippi and in New Orleans and surrounding parishes of Louisiana, continuing and expanding its efforts to rebuild and increase educational opportunities by bringing its TeachUp! Program to public schools, teachers and students, living in communities that have been isolated, impacted by natural disasters, or are struggling with poverty. By introducing TeachUp! AmeriCorps Members into local, public schools the program works to provide one-on-one support in project-driven, technology infused classroom lessons as well as 21st century skills such as collaboration, critical thinking, and communication. During their year of service, these TeachUp! Members work with teachers to lay a foundation of skills and knowledge that they can continue to build, impacting future generations of students.

In addition to their focus on education, the TeachUp! Members also focus their efforts in the community, working in job centers, libraries, and community centers to bring technology and professional skills training to community members and displaced workers. The Members offer one-on-one training and support in basic computer skills, Internet safety, resume writing, social networking and more, helping to equip individuals with the 21st century skills and knowledge necessary to enter a workforce driven by technology.

The TeachUp! Program works in mostly rural, at-risk, and impoverished communities serving public schools and community sites with technology empowerment training and support. The program operates in communities who on average have 20% of families living below the poverty level and schools, which on average have a 75% eligible free or reduced lunch population with some communities served reaching higher than 90%. For the 2011-2012 year, DOT USA has recruited, trained, and placed more than 260 TeachUp! Members to serve over 9,600 teachers and 150,000 students on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, in the Mississippi Delta, and in Louisiana. Additionally, the Members work in a variety of community sites offering professional and workforce development support and training services to more than 100,000 community members, 25,000 of which are unemployed and dislocated workers that have been empowered by TeachUp! Members in WIN Job Centers.