Mackenzie "Mac" Woods always dreamed of being an education lawyer. His experience as a middle school teacher in Memphis confirmed his belief that all students deserve equal opportunities and gave him the hands-on experience he needed to fight for it as a lawyer.

Q & A

What experiences at college informed where you are today?

Being a leader in the fraternity community was a great place to test my concept of leadership in an environment where, should I fail, the consequences were not far-reaching. That testing ground gave me the confidence to lead a classroom where the consequences were much greater if I failed. I also gained the confidence to be a zealous advocate for schools.

How did your TFA experience evolve your beliefs and skills?

My experience cultivated my empathy and gave me the perspective needed to be a leader. It showed me that what I thought was possible is possible and that I can be part of that change.

How did being a corps member impact your career?

TFA showed me that education is the most consequential issue in our society and no other field is as deserving of my time and talent. Careers are marathons, not sprints. There will certainly be nights when you’re working late—likely missing important social or family events—and you’ll ask yourself why you’re choosing work. My experience in TFA has helped me persist through these times.