Q & A
What led you to apply to Teach For America?
I didn’t know how exactly to combine my academic passion for reading and writing with my love for working with kids. I spoke to a TFA on-campus recruiter my senior year who shared how she had the ability to change a child’s trajectory through education, and it sold me on that being my calling.
What were some of the major lessons you learned during the corps? When you think about yourself before and after the corps, what changed?
While some improvements are immediate, and some gradual, reflection is key for both. Reflection has allowed me to gauge what works and be transparent with myself. Learning this skill in my 20s has also saved a lot of time in being reactive to unfortunate situations and proactive about approaching them with a solutions-oriented lens.
How have you used the skills and beliefs you developed in the corps?
The classroom taught me how to think on my feet, and how to make sound judgment in the heat of a moment—from disciplining a student to changing the lesson plan to accommodate someone. This ability to be quick, flexible, and adaptable was an invaluable skill that serves me to be effective as an attorney.
How would you say TFA has prepared you to be a leader?
I think my public speaking and presentation skills have drastically improved. Being in front of an audience, engaged or not, doesn’t really phase me anymore. If anything, it has taught me to be charismatic and really tune my presentation for the specific demographic before me. I’m also better at learning about and adjusting mindsets of those around me.