As associate director of admissions, Laura focuses on issues of college access and success. She credits her holistic perspective on admissions to her time as a kindergarten teacher in the corps.

Q & A

What led you to apply to Teach For America?

Initially, I was interested in admissions work in higher education, but I’d heard so much about TFA and thought the mission was so important. I’d done some classroom observation work for my education policy classes and was familiar with the obstacles teachers faced in under-resourced schools. Ultimately, TFA’s support system and ongoing professional development made me want to join.

When you think about yourself before and after the corps, what changed?

I credit TFA with making me a much better planner. And what surprised me most was seeing how much I was capable of. There was so much I didn't know at first. I discovered that if you’re eager to learn and earnest in your belief that all children deserve an excellent education, you really do have the power to make an impact.

How has TFA prepared you to be a leader?

At TFA, I got to be a part of students' lives. This meant seeing firsthand how complicated they could be and how many barriers often stand between them and long-term educational success. I’m grateful for that experience; it bestowed a sensitivity that informs how I made admissions decisions in my work.