Q&A

What would you tell someone thinking of applying to Teach for America?

Fixing education doesn’t end in the classroom. The work is complicated and requires various stakeholders to come together. With my experience in the private sector, I see how important it is for students to have exposure and meaningful experiences regarding different career paths. How can a student aspire to become something that they know nothing about? I try my best to share my experiences with other alumni or CMs in the classroom as a way to give back

How do the skills you developed in TFA help you today?

In the classroom, there are times where students get stuck and you need to be able to actively problem solve the situation so you get the students back on track or come up with a mitigation plan the following lesson. Being able to set clear objectives, communicate effectively, and actively problem-solve are things I do everyday when I’m working with engineers or executives.

What are some of the major lessons you learned in TFA?

Relationship building is key. You can be the best lesson planner. But if you don’t develop meaningful relationships and earn your students’ trust, then learning will be difficult.