The good Cornellians can do: Madilyn Fulchiero ’23

About halfway through her Cornell career, Madilyn Fulchiero '23 realized her calling. She wanted to become a teacher. After graduating with a double major in English Literature and Spanish Language and Literature, Madi applied to the Teach for America (TFA) program. TFA allows teachers to earn their certification while actively teaching.

“I joined TFA because the multitude of engaging, passionate teachers I had throughout high school and college inspired me,” she says. “When I found out that I received a TFA job teaching English at Wai’anae High School, I was ecstatic. I remember calling family members and former teachers crying!”

Madi is currently in her second and final year of TFA at Wai’anae, but she is not planning on going anywhere. She enjoys helping students connect with the larger community through her class. A recent unit had students drafting testimony on an environmental bill before the Hawai’i legislature.

“Something I’ve been focusing on is to encourage students to form opinions and treat apathy like a disease,” Madi says.

Another ongoing project has her class exchanging letters with students at Ateneo Junior High School in Manila, Philippines. Madi’s students were delighted when they received a box from their pen pals containing hand-written notes, Filipino snacks, children’s books in Tagalog, and more.

“The balikbayan-style box included so many awesome things,” Madi says. “We unpacked the box together after school, which was a loud, celebratory, extremely engaged process!”

Cornellians around the globe are sharing how they do good in communities big and small. Share your own story.