By Jane Roberts - The Commercial Appeal -

Back before "win-win" was a cliche, the idea that two sides could come out ahead was novel enough to deserve expression.

On Wednesday, it was acted out with such ease at Kingsbury Middle School, onlookers stepped back in awe.

Here's what they saw: College kids -- who gave up spring break at the beach -- were tutoring preteens in clusters that started at the front door and ran down hallways on two stories.

In the background were experts from Teach for America and Deloitte, both in the market for Gen Y recruits, and frankly, so impressed with each other's culture, they formalized a bond in 2007.

"We tend to have the same core values," said Gina Foody, campus recruiting manager from Deloitte's Philadelphia office. "We're looking for people with strong leadership skills and strong collaborators. They are the game changers."

Deloitte's "Maximum Impact" spring break gives both organizations a chance to build rapport with recruits who already meet the mark on grades, community involvement and intangibles like a willingness to get involved in causes larger than themselves.

Those who eventually receive offers from both get a deferral from Deloitte so they can spend two years with Teach for America in inner-city schools like Kingsbury.

Deloitte ultimately gets employees who've shown a capacity to lead, think on their feet and a willingness "to challenge themselves," Foody said.

Teach for America gets a stronger pipeline into Stanford, Cornell, UCLA, Northwestern and the University of Maryland -- all campuses represented in the group flying home today.

"We're bringing in people who likely have not been to Memphis," said Athena Turner, executive director of Teach for America here. "If we can connect with them in their first, second or third years of college, hopefully they will want to come to Memphis when they graduate."

Deloitte, returning to its pre-recession hiring levels, plans to hire 5,400 college recruits this year. Maximum Impact is the first formal connection it makes with students.

The company, with 45,000 U.S. employees and $10.9 billion in revenue last year, tried the idea last year in Baton Rouge, La.

This year, more than 800 college students applied; 35 were selected. Deloitte picked up airfare, hotel, meals and Memphis tourism costs. It also assigned 18 employees here for break -- at the height of tax season -- a fact not lost on Matt Kowal, a junior at Ohio State whose long-term career goal is accounting.

"It's a testament to Deloitte," he said. But he was also impressed with the contribution he can see himself making here.

"I'm intrigued. I hadn't thought about teaching. Now, I am definitely considering it."

Teach for America received 48,000 applications this year. It will choose 5,000-5,100, including 175 for Memphis, the 11th largest of 41 Teach for America cities.

But its rapid growth -- it went from hiring 50 recruits to 175 in two years, puts it in direct competition for recruits with Chicago, New York and Los Angeles.

"When you are 21 or 22 and look at the map, you see Chicago," said Turner, who lobbied the national office to get Deloitte's spring break team here.

What helps is Memphis' growing reputation for education reform, Turner said, funded in part with $68 million in Race to the Top funds and $90 million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

"Once they come and see the opportunity in our schools, it registers," she said.

-- Jane Roberts: 529-2512