Q&A

What would you consider your biggest success as a teacher?

My favorite moment came when I was called to the front office unexpectedly and returned 15 minutes later to find a somewhat incredulous security guard. As soon as I left, my 6th grade class took matters into their own hands. They picked up a novel we had been reading together, delegated tasks among themselves and took turns to read it out loud and continue their learning process uninterrupted. It was one of the most rewarding moments I’ve had as a teacher, I was really proud of my kids. That small victory might seem insignificant to someone else but it meant the world to me.

What major lessons have you learned?

I learned to be patient. To control my emotions. To take time to understand everyone and what moves them. To value certain skills that don’t necessarily fit within the categories we’ve been socialized to appreciate. To push the envelope. To refuse to accept what others might deem unrealistic.

What are some parallels between your current role and your role in TFA?

As a diplomat, you can find yourself in a position where you have to publicly engage a group of people in a setting that takes you out of your comfort zone. Those engagements can at times take place in an environment where misunderstandings can lead to confrontational exchanges, and it’s important to diffuse those tensions before things escalate further.