Most people have a teacher they remember fondly. For Destany Story, there are many. She recalls the personal and professional impact her Teach For America teachers had on her when she was in high school. It is the very reason she joined TFA-Memphis in 2019. Now, as a nonprofit program director for Women Empowering Nations, Destany is living her purpose of uplifting courageous Black women to positions of leadership.

• Grade and Subject Taught: High school English/special education
• Current Sector: Nonprofit  
• Major/Alma Mater: Psychology, Mississippi State University
• Pronouns: She/her

How did your corps experience play a role in shaping your career trajectory? 

I currently serve as the program director for an international nonprofit called Women Empowering Nations, which was actually founded by a fellow TFA alum, Carlisha Williams Bradley. 

Our program provides exposure, development, and mentorship for young girls of color in underserved communities to accelerate their path to executive leadership. We work to contribute to a society where Black women executive leaders will no longer be viewed as the exception to the rule, but as assets and necessary additions to business around the globe. 

The corps played a huge part in my journey of discovering my own identity, passion, and purpose. I always go back to my “why” of even joining the corps when I reflect on my career path. In 2012, I was a freshman student at Power Center Academy High School in Memphis, Tennessee. Being a part of the founding class came with a ton of new experiences and exposure, including Teach For America educators. Previously, I had never heard of TFA, but after walking across the graduation stage, I knew exactly what I would be doing after college.

Through TFA, I committed to giving back to the community that provided me with the necessary resources to reach my full potential. My own TFA teachers became my family, supporting me through high school, my collegiate years, and still to this day, they support me in my current professional and personal life. 

I knew when I joined TFA that I would be impacting students in the classroom and in life. Which is why I knew there was no better place to teach than my own alma mater. I taught 9th and 10th grade special education at Power Center Academy High School, where I also founded my own freshman success program, Wonder Women and Wisdom. Providing spaces for Black women to learn, grow, and thrive continues to drive my path of purpose. 

What advice would you give to someone considering becoming a teacher through Teach For America?

My advice would be to “root yourself.” Your Teach For America journey is not just about teaching—it's about becoming part of a community and finding your why. Picture it like planting your roots in the soil of the place you're serving. Your why fuels your growth and keeps you grounded. Take the time to really connect with the community, understand who you’re serving, and let that knowledge shape your teaching. 

Further, your why will guide you when challenges arise. Maybe it's a personal story, a belief in every student's potential, or a passion for educational equity. Whatever it is, make it personal and let it be the driving force behind every experience with your students. Rooting yourself in your community and establishing your why isn't just about being a teacher—it's about being a changemaker, a mentor, and a leader. It's about making a difference that goes beyond the classroom walls. 

So, get ready to teach, learn, connect, and grow alongside the community you're about to become a part of. Your why will make this journey uniquely yours. Trust me, it's going to make all the difference.

How did being a teacher connect you to the community? 

Teaching in the community where I grew up was an intentional choice for me. It wasn't just a job; it was a homecoming. My connection to the community went beyond the average teacher-student relationship because I could remember sitting in the very same classrooms where I now stood at the front. 

This personal connection added another layer to my own why.  I wasn't just teaching lessons; I was sharing my journey with these students. My student’s always admired my “relatability” to them. But honestly, that comes from me always keeping in mind that not too long ago, I was navigating their same challenges and dreaming their same dreams. I made it a priority to not only serve my students as a teacher but as someone who genuinely understood their world. 

Part of supporting my community meant creating initiatives that went beyond the traditional role of a teacher. My goal of starting the Wonder Women and Wisdom program at my school was to provide a safe space for Black girls to flourish not only academically, but also mentally. Teaching in my hometown was a full-circle experience. It allowed me to bridge the gap between my past and my present, giving me a unique perspective that shaped my teaching approach and my commitment to pouring into the community that molded me into the woman I am today.

What marginalized communities do you care deeply about? How are you staying connected to this community?

I care deeply about the empowerment and support that is invested into Black women. I’ve been blessed to remain rooted in my why through my work with Women Empowering Nations. A fact that I’m always stunned by is that only one in four C-suite leaders are women, and only one in 20 is a woman of color. 

Women Empowering Nations is committed to providing essential resources, education, and opportunities for the growth and development of Black women. I aim to be a catalyst for positive change, ensuring that Black women have not only a voice but also the opportunities and a platform to share their unique story.