As distinct as the two fields may seem, law and education actually have quite a lot in common. Take it from Brandi Pikes, associate attorney at law and a Jacksonville 2013 Teach For America alum. Her frequent encounters with attorneys who also happened to be TFA alumni showed her that teaching offered worthwhile experience prior to entering law. Through her time in the corps, Brandi gained interpersonal skills, leadership skills, and strength of character, all of which have been indispensable to her current profession. It’s no wonder the program came highly recommended by her mentors.

• Grade and Subject Taught: Middle school English language arts
• Current Job/Sector: Associate attorney, law
• Major/Alma Mater: Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Alcorn State University; Master of Arts in Political Science from the University of Mississippi; Juris Doctorate from Washington University St. Louis

How has the TFA network helped you in navigating your career?

Teach For America alumni sprinkled throughout my journey have played a pivotal role in my career. As a field organizer on President Obama’s campaign in 2012, I expected to work long hours to get out the vote. I had no idea that I would meet Kristina Kallas, a New York 2003 TFA alum. The impact of a single conversation was monumental over the next several years of my life. 

Kristina worked as an associate attorney in New York. She came to our office to do pro bono voter protection work. I asked her, “What is the one thing you did that prepared you to be an attorney?” She replied, “TFA.” Immediately, I applied.

Fast forward a few years later, I completed the corps and finished my second year of law school. When I became a summer associate, I met Courter Shimeall, who was a Los Angeles 2006 corps member and  an associate attorney at the time. Courter’s advice has always stuck with me: “Be kind to everyone and do good work.” Courter has been an invaluable mentor to me. On my last day [as a summer associate], Courter encouraged me to apply for federal clerkships and even agreed to write a letter of recommendation. 

I then went on to graduate law school, secured that federal clerkship, and now work at a BigLaw firm. My co-clerk also happened to be a TFA alum. Looking back on my journey, I can say that all of my steps have been ordered by the Lord. Throughout my journey, the Teach For America community has played—and continues to play—a transformative role on my path.

As a teacher, what life lessons were especially important to you that your students understood?

The top five lessons I wanted my students to grasp were:

1. You can be anything you want to be. But you first have to decide for yourself who it is that you want to be.
2. We all can be great writers if we continuously work at it.
3. Be kind to yourself and others. No negative self-talk and no talking down to others. 
4. Where you grow up does not have to define where you are going.
5. Ask for help when you need it.

Even after your corps commitment, how are you staying connected to the communities in which you served?

I deeply care about the Black and brown low-income community, as that is my own background, too. I give back by donating books to classrooms and speaking to students about my journey and beating the odds. My second grade teacher identified me as a struggling reader early on. This observation and my own grit helped me overcome many literacy hurdles by the end of third grade. As a result, donating good books and encouraging students will always be a part of my mission.

What advice would you give to someone considering joining Teach For America?

I would give the same advice I gave to my youngest sister, Taylor Pikes, who is a Charlotte-Piedmont Triad 2020 TFA alum, when she was considering applying to TFA. She was preparing to graduate from Tennessee State University with a B.S. in Agricultural Science during the plight of COVID-19. Her main concerns were 1: The lack of a teaching background, and 2: The impact TFA would have on her graduate school plans.

This was my advice to her, and to others as well: If you are passionate about helping others and seeing children succeed in school regardless of zip code, apply to Teach For America. Teaching skills can be taught and developed by good coaching teams, especially when you have a heart for public service. With the right heart, pure motives, a willingness to work hard, open communication, and a great support system, you can do anything and be successful at it. Secondly, many graduate programs hold TFA in high regard and have application fees waivers and special scholarships just for alums. By serving as a corps member, you are developing interpersonal skills and gaining life experience that will make you a better graduate student and professional.