Q&A

What were some of the major lessons you learned in Teach For America?  

One of the biggest lessons I learned was the importance of relationship building and maintaining high expectations. Students will rise to the occasion 99 times out of 100. But they need the opportunity to rise and feel like the people pushing them are deeply invested in their success. My students were amazing; they just needed to be reminded of it.

What would you consider your biggest success as a teacher?

In my second year of teaching, I was tasked with developing math instruction for all the 7th grade special education students. I felt extremely underprepared for this job. But I knew every student deserved access to skilled instruction; I would have to rise to the challenge. By setting extremely high expectations and building a strong family-like classroom culture, my special education students achieved the highest growth of any students in the school. We put in the work together, and it paid off.

Was Teach For America a catalyst for your personal transformation? How so?

Absolutely! The experience was difficult. But it helped me develop the self-determination I would need for the personal and professional struggles ahead. The relationships I built in the corps--and with students--helped me find my voice and passion for education and educational advocacy.