HOUSTON -- Recent college graduates from around the country are teaching in Houston classrooms after relocating here through Teach For America, KPRC Local 2, Your Education Station, reported Monday.

The new teachers commit for two years to economically disadvantaged schools in the U.S. hoping to make a difference.

Jamie Elfenbein has a full class of first-graders. Kevin Bally is in charge of third-graders.

"I feel lucky enough to be a part of this program and lucky enough that Osborne elementary took a chance on a first-year teacher. I'm here and I'm giving it my all," Elfenbein said.

Elfenbein was hired through an HISD job fair, where she met the principal of Osborne elementary.

She said her challenge has been with discipline.

"It's honestly leadership skills you learned in college -- transferring them to a classroom that desperately needs you," Elfenbein said.

Her beginning HISD teacher salary is $42,700.

For Bally, getting his students ready for the TAKS test is his focus.

'It's my job to find a way, whether it's staying after school, work at lunch, during P.E, I have to find a way because at the end of the day, if they don't pass the TAKS, they don't go to fourth grade," he said.

Officials said what the new teachers lack in classroom experience, they make up for with their passion and relentless drive to succeed.

Teach For America has 338 members working in the Houston area.

For more information, visit www.teachforamerica.org.