Q & A

What led you to apply to Teach For America?

A friend of mine involved in educational equity showed me the TFA website and promo video. It was all about creating opportunity and expanding life opportunities for people, which really resonated with my core values. I had always been really passionate about education—my mom played a big part in that as a community college professor and leader. So when I watched the video, I applied first round!

How was the corps a catalyst for your personal transformation?

The corps was very much aligned with my beliefs about the world and my values already. It didn’t change them for me, it strengthened them, deepened them, and gave me the language to talk about it. But I also learned how to work across lines of difference, how to have difficult conversations, how to be introspective and reflective, experienced social growth, and developed a new level of tenacity.

How has TFA prepared you skills-wise for these challenges?

I feel like my teaching skills are some of my most transferable skills. Number one is being able to facilitate a conversation with 25 other people—it doesn’t matter if it’s kids or adults. People will often say, “Wow! You’re not nervous leading a meeting for executives!” And I think, “Have you ever tried to lead a lesson for 25 third-graders?”