With positions at ABC and CNN, and the 2020 presidential campaign trail with NBC News, you wouldn’t guess Priscilla Thompson’s career started in the classroom. Read how her time as a middle school teacher informs her work as a journalist.

Q & A

What factors did you weigh when applying to TFA?

Journalism is an industry where employers don’t really care about gap years or master’s degrees—experience is king—and I was going to be out of practice for two years by joining TFA. I was concerned about what that might mean for my career, but at the same time, I knew TFA would make me a stronger journalist because of the experience and the perspective I would gain.

Describe your first day of teaching.

My first day of teaching, I was beyond nervous. I spent the whole weekend practicing my lesson, and I arrived at my school 2-3 hours early to make sure everything was perfect. My nerves quickly faded when I shook my student’s hands at the door. My sixth graders looked like babies—they were so quiet and just as nervous as I was.

What role has TFA played in your career development?

TFA taught me how to advocate for people who may not have the skills to advocate for themselves. I do that every day in my work in journalism. Through storytelling, I can inform people about their rights and resources. I can shed light on injustices through the stories of everyday people whose lives are marked by some of the most profound issues this country has to deal with.