As the first person in his family to attend and graduate from college, Oscar Romano was initially looking at a business career. Yet, thanks to the persistence of a fellow Harvard alumna, he ultimately applied to the corps. Oscar ascended from eighth-grade science teacher to dean of students and director of student support at YES Prep Gulfton in Houston. He has since transitioned to the business sector as the COO of Blindster, overseeing the daily operations of a multimillion-dollar revenue-earning company.

Q & A

What led you to apply to Teach For America?

As a graduating senior, I started to apply for investment banking and consulting positions. But a fellow Harvard alumna convinced me to apply to TFA. As a first-generation college graduate, I soon discovered that the mission aligned with my values.

What were some of the major lessons you learned during the corps?

I learned patience when working with students several years below grade level. I learned kindness through the innocence in the eyes of my students. I learned resilience and fearlessness when I picked myself up after the dozens of failures I experienced in the classroom.

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

In the corps, I didn’t just learn to believe that all students can achieve, but I also learned how to plan and overcome the toughest of challenges. I know I’ll experience various issues and shoulder immense responsibility throughout my career. However, I have my time in the corps to remind me that anything is possible.