Following her graduation from Washington University in St. Louis with a degree in psychology, Lucy joined the corps, where she also earned a pair of master’s degrees—one in literacy from the Teachers College of Columbia University and another in special education from Pace University. After spending over a decade in teaching and school leadership roles, Lucy co-founded a research-based literacy program.

Q & A

What led you to apply to Teach For America?

I wanted a career where I could help improve others’ lives. I took a class in applied behavior analysis and worked with an eight-year-old girl with autism doing behavioral therapy. While she improved tremendously, that required incredible dedication, focus, and resources. I realized how I could help make a similar impact on even more students as a special education teacher, so I applied.

What would you consider your biggest success as a teacher?

There are so many students I’ve been proud of over the years. One student in particular started second grade not being able to read at all. During the first week of school, he struggled to label a picture of a cat with the word “cat.” However, by the time he finished third grade, he was reading on grade level and earned a proficient score on the New York State reading test.

How do you use the skills and beliefs you developed in the corps?

TFA helped me see that all children are truly capable of achieving at a high level with a strong teacher and school. I’ve seen countless students absolutely thrive when challenged, engaged, and supported. A strong teacher must be well-prepared but flexible and able to think on their feet; the same goes for a principal.

How did being a corps member impact your career trajectory?

If I hadn’t joined TFA, I know my career would not be as rewarding and fulfilling as the one I have today. I saw firsthand the impact that having not just one strong teacher—but a series of strong teachers—has on a child.