Kaycee's time in the classroom provided direct insight into the pervasive inequity inherent in our educational system. She also experienced the power of working alongside dedicated colleagues and families to transform students' lives. She continues to draw on those experiences in her career supporting local government initiatives.

Q & A

What struggles did you overcome during your first year of teaching?

There were infinite moments of growth during my first year in the classroom: A lot of lesson plans that were hours in the making and fell completely flat upon execution, student relationships that I thought were flourishing, only to find them broken after one tough day, a myriad of responsibilities to manage as a function of being a teacher, on top of learning the “how’s” of teaching at the same time.

The most important lessons I learned during the first year were born out of those challenges. I learned that lessons can be improved and then retaught. Student relationships can—and must—be mended. And we are capable of managing an impressive amount of responsibility when our hearts are committed to the vision we’re working to achieve.

What would you consider your biggest success as a teacher?

One of the first classroom rules I established was a ban on the statement, “I’m not a math person.” Unfortunately, many of my students—particularly my female students—had internalized that message about themselves. I made it my personal mission to break down that mindset. One of my proudest moments as a teacher was when my students would come to me to share that they were pursuing degrees or careers in STEM fields. That sort of everlasting impact is what I set out to create.

What were some of the major lessons you learned during the corps?  

The most lasting lesson was the importance of engaging a large, diverse community of support when driving toward a goal. It can be easy to feel like the responsibility of meeting academic and performance goals sits solely on your shoulders. Once I learned that the most powerful and lasting outcomes in my classroom were driven by collective action, there was clearly no other way to go about it.

How has the corps been a catalyst for your personal transformation?

My time in the classroom provided direct insight into the pervasive inequity inherent in our educational system. I saw how the unbalanced distribution of resources directly affected the quality of my students’ school experience. Facing those realities fortified my belief that we all have a role in dismantling these inequities. We can tackle this work from so many equally important and necessary facets.

How did being a TFA corps member impact your life and career?

There is no question that I wouldn’t be the person I am today, doing the work that I do, without TFA. The experience introduced me to the most formative relationships in my life. My students taught me lessons about tenacity and capacity that influenced my values and motivate my work every day. The professional relationships I built during that time continue to support and inform the opportunities I pursue. The friendships I developed are still with me today.