After earning a B.S. in chemistry from Stanford University, Bailey seemed set for a career in medicine. But after guiding her science students to success as a corps member, she remained in the classroom and continues to change students’ lives.

Q & A

What led you to apply to Teach For America?

Applying to TFA was an easy decision. I hadn’t decided whether I wanted to attend medical school. I was also considering teaching as a possible career path, and my friend pointed out that joining TFA might be a good way to decide between the two routes.

What is a major lesson you learned during the corps?

Commiserating with administrators, other teachers, parents, and students—each audience with a different perspective and interest—made it incredibly important for me to be an effective communicator.

How did the corps prepare you for your current job?

My experience teaching in the corps strongly developed the skills I still apply today. The responsibility of leading a classroom taught me self-reliance, but it also involved collaboration, focusing on details, and thinking long-term about how decisions will affect students.