Chase serves as a school leader in Denver. Having gained experience in public and charter schools, Chase is prepared to implement a comprehensive, long-term vision to accommodate his school community’s needs.

Q & A

What led you to apply to Teach For America?

I first heard about TFA through a fellow RA in the Houston corps. Ultimately, I realized that the reason I was drawn to TFA was similar to the reason that I wanted to go to medical school—to help others. I definitely did not think that I’d be a school director years later.

What were some of the major lessons you learned during the corps? When you think about yourself before and after the corps, what changed?

When I was a corps member, one of TFA’s core values was “relentless pursuit of results.” I truly grounded myself in this ideal and really wanted to create change for my students and the community I served. Before the corps, I was focused on my own gain—seeking leadership roles and achieving strong grades in school. But I gained a newfound appreciation for getting results for the benefit of others.

How did you use the skills and beliefs you developed in the corps?

TFA prepared me to continue to fight for equity. I thought I was going to become a corps member and have an impact on my students, but I never realized the impact that my students would have on me. The students I taught in the Rio Grande Valley fuel my fire.