What We’re Talking About
Welcome to TFA’s Connection Blog. A space to bring you the latest news, resources, and events happening among the Teach For America Community. Here is what we’re talking about in December:
At Teach For America, we are doubling down on what we stand for – ensuring all children have access to an excellent and equitable education. It’s our firm belief that our mission endures, transcends elections, and requires all of us to come together around a common purpose.
A prosperous economy, a strong democracy and a healthy society is not possible without an education system that equips every student with the skills, learning and experiences they need to thrive in an increasingly challenging, complex and uncertain context. At TFA, we remain resolved in our commitment to One Day and to the students and communities we serve, now and always.
In this election cycle, with the support of our partner, Leadership for Educational Equity (LEE), 157 members of the Teach For America network chose to get into the political arena. By running for elected offices, they sought to create solutions in their communities. Their choices were no doubt shaped by their classroom experience which solidified a conviction and determination for ensuring all children have access to every opportunity in life. LEE-supported TFA alumni who ran for office this year had a win rate of 74%, putting them in seats from local school boards to the US Congress, where they will have the opportunity to impact systems level change.
Spotlight
- Hear CEO Elisa Villanueva Beard talk about the impact of mentorship and encouragement, particularly when it comes to getting to the next step on your path. Elisa illustrates her commitment to educational excellence for all kids, and inspires people to find passion in their work.
- Yamilée Toussaint, NY alum and founder of STEM from Dance is a finalist for CNN Hero of the Year! Voting is open until December 3 and you can allocate up to 10 votes per day.
- Paid Summer PD Opportunity: Want a chance to earn up to $6,600 this summer? Kode With Klossy is seeking teachers to lead their two-week summer coding camps. The organization creates learning experiences and opportunities for girls and gender expansive youth. No coding experience is required to be an instructor. Learn more at their website. Applications open December 9th and close on January 8, 2025.
TFA in the News
- ASU ranks No. 1 in 2024 for Teach For America corps members
- The Advocate: TFA Greater New Orleans and Greater Baton Rouge Exec. Dirs., Ge’Ron Tatum and Laura Vinsant, Highlight Ignite Fellowship Benefits
- AL.com: TFA Alabama Co-Hosts Opportunity Summit Featuring “Teachers of Alabama”
- The Advocate: TFA Recognized in Community Forward 64 for Education Impact in Baton Rouge
- WVON: TFA Greater Chicago-Northwest Indiana E.D., Anajah Roberts, Discusses Partnership with CPS and Shortage of Black Male Teachers
- Florida State University: TFA Ignite Fellow and FSU Behavioral Neuroscience Student, Jamila Guard, Supports K-8 Students in Math and Reading
- WYMT: TFA Receives $500K Grant from Appalachian Regional Commission to Expand Educator Recruitment Across the Region
- Public News Service: TFA Greater Delta E.D., Kewanza Q. Williams, Describes TFA’s Efforts to Address the Teacher Shortage in Mississippi
Data & Research
American Institutes for Research (AIR) Releases A Meta-analysis of Teach For America Teacher Impact
The American Institutes for Research examined decades of research on TFA teachers, and found that TFA teachers over the last few decades have had a consistent and significant impact on students’ learning and:
- On average, students of TFA teachers perform better in math than those of similar non-TFA teachers.
- On average, students of TFA teachers perform better in science than those of similar non-TFA teachers.
- On average, students of TFA teachers perform similarly in reading to those of similar non-TFA teachers.
What’s Happening Around December
December 5 TFA DFW Bowl & Cheer Holiday Bash
December 12 TFA Austin Alumni Holiday Party
December 12 Using Action-Oriented, Multi-Layer Coaching to Nurture Instructional Success
Stay Connected
Whether you just joined the Corps or completed your service decades ago, there are many ways to find your fellow Corps members and friends and connect. We provide both an alumni directory for looking up your old friends and a career networking platform – TFA Connect – for when you want to expand your career network, and several networking events each year. You can even join the national TFA Alumni group on LinkedIn! Wherever you go, the TFA alumni network is accessible and ready to support you.
