Rosaline says her experience as a high school math teacher has been invaluable in developing a nuanced lens for her career as a policy and data analyst.

Q & A

What led you to apply to Teach For America?

I was already studying to become a teacher. For me, it was a choice between applying to schools back home in Atlanta or applying to Teach For America. However, I really appreciated TFA’s mission, and I wanted to be a part of a larger movement. I felt TFA would allow me to be a part of a larger network of like-minded people and be the teacher I always wanted to be.

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

One of the major lessons I learned during the corps was flexibility. I quickly saw that things don’t often go as planned and that I need to be able to think on my feet. I also learned how to maximize my time. I became really efficient with my planning time to feel more caught up. I also learned to value work-life balance and realized I needed to set boundaries for myself.

What route did you choose after the corps?

I decided to pursue a master’s degree in urban planning to become more aware of larger systemic issues creating inequalities and study possible solutions. The corps really changed the trajectory of my career. I thought I always wanted to be a teacher, and while I am still a teacher at heart, my corps experience made me want to do more to solve our issues in education on a wider scale.

How have you utilized the TFA network after the corps?

I utilized the TFA network to obtain my LEE fellowship which helped me find my next role after the corps. That was invaluable. The network also played a factor in helping me obtain a full-ride scholarship to USC for my graduate program.