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 March:
📰 Leading into the Future
Teach For America thanks David Kenny for his tremendous leadership and welcomes Dr. Dan Porterfield as chair of our National Board of Directors. Dr. Porterfield will steward Teach For America’s mission and support its evolution as the organization looks toward the future of education.
⭐ Must Read: Notes from Aneesh, TFA’s CEO
Aneesh testified in front of Congress about the responsible use of AI in education to strengthen human connection and deepen critical thinking. “The future of learning will require a blending of technology and human expertise, with teachers leading and guiding, and technology supporting.”
Read Aneesh’s reflections from the hearing in Leadership Launchpad. For more on the hearing, check out Education Week or watch here.
🔦 Spotlights
TFA at SXSW EDU
TFA alumni and staff led more than 30 sessions at SXSW EDU, showcasing the many ways our network is leading across education. Aneesh Sohoni delivered a featured session on optimism in education–energy that was felt throughout TFA Austin’s alumni and partner gathering.
_______________________________________________________
🎓Alumni Highlights
Zoë Stemm-Calderon (Houston 2000) is the new executive director of the Raikes Foundation, which focuses on helping young people and communities thrive. In her work, Stemm-Calderon works to support a public education system that’s fair and future-ready for all students. She describes her TFA experience as “an amazing formative experience for me. It shaped how I saw opportunity structures in the country.”
Check out more notable alums in this month’s TFA alumni spotlight.
Journalist Natasha Alford on Why She Walked Away From the ‘Perfect’ Career
Natasha Alford shares how leaving prestige behind led her to Teach For America, classrooms, and a career rooted in purpose.
Teaching Made Me a Better Lawyer
Discover how Teach For America alumni enter law school as more effective critical thinkers and bold advocates for justice.
Check out more notable alums in this month’s TFA alumni spotlight.
📚Share-worthy Stories
- Human-Centered AI – ABC looks at how TFA New Orleans and The Reinvention lab are helping New Orleans educators use AI to foster stronger community, connection, and learning in their classrooms.
- Atlantic Access – Want to bring The Atlantic to your school? All U.S. public high schools are eligible for free, unlimited access.
- Miles Ahead: Greater Chicago-Northwest Indiana corps member Brendan Rogers shares his viral running routine with Runners World.
- *Note: In pursuit of our vision of One Day and our 2030 impact goal, Teach For America has built a broad coalition, and we work alongside over 300 communities across 37 states, the District of Columbia, and sovereign nations. To meet the needs of the children we serve and our participants, we partner with several other organizations and entities to establish a repertoire of resources and supports. While we review these resources, we recognize the content of links may shift, change, or be not fully aligned with our complete view, values, or vision. The inclusion of any link is intended to direct users to potentially useful information. Teach For America encourages users to exercise their own judgment when accessing linked websites.
🙌 Opportunities
Free Career Coaching with LEE
LEE offers free, supportive career coaching and advising to TFA members committed to impact in education policy, advocacy, or organizing.
University Partnerships
We’re excited to launch a new partnership with American University School of Education (Washington, DC)!
American is offering an exclusive 29% reduced tuition rate to TFA alumni for their MEd and EdD programs in Policy & Leadership, MA in Teaching, and certificate programs. Visit American University’s Alumni Hub page to learn more about their exceptional graduate programs and additional exclusive benefits available to TFA Alumni, or browse our full list of university partners.
Celebrate 35 Years
What’s Happening This Winter
Mar 12: Organizing Leadership Network’s (OLN) Strategy Lab: Goal Setting
Mar 16: TFA NY Alumni Association Board Presents “What’s Next: Pathways for Impact Beyond the Classroom”
Mar 26: Her Seat at the Table
Mar 26: Baylor University – EdD in Learning & Organizational Change Information Session
Apr 9: Organizing Leadership Network’s (OLN) Strategy Lab: Power Mapping
May 14: Organizing Leadership Network’s (OLN) Strategy Lab: Strategic Research
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.
