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 April:
đ° Shaping Education Change
The world is rapidly changing. And education is changing even faster. The TFA network isnât waitingâweâre stepping up to shape whatâs next and create a better future. This month weâre spotlighting leadership that is expanding our thinking about what is possible.
â Must Read: Notes from Aneesh, TFA’s CEO
Aneesh connected with Aylon Samouha, CEO of Transcend, to explore how talent and technology can build lasting capacity in education systems. Theyâll continue the conversation on April 14, at ASUâGSV, joined by Nonie Lesaux, Dean of the Harvard Graduate School of Education. In their session, A Forward Look from the Front Lines of Education Leadership, theyâll examine how the role of the teacher is evolving in real time.
đŚ Spotlights
Braven
Braven is closing the college-to-career gap for low-income and first-gen students by building career preparation directly into the college experience. Led by Aimee Eubanks Davis (Greater New Orleans â95), Braven was named a 2025 grantee of The Audacious Project, which backs bold solutions to the worldâs most urgent challenges. By 2030, they aim to help 50,000 students land strong first jobs, unlocking $8 billion in lifetime earnings and expanding economic mobility at scale.
đAlumni Highlights
Natasha Alford, a TFA DC 2010 corps member, traces her path as a journalist and media executive back to the classroom. Teaching taught her to think on her feet, improvise, and stay calm under pressureâskills she now relies on in journalism.
âGoing into education was like flipping on a light switch in my head and heart.â – Natasha Alford
Check out more notable alums in this monthâs TFA alumni spotlight.
đShare-worthy Stories
- Future-Forward Skills â Mike Yates of The Reinvention Lab at Teach For America tells the Defender how technology like AI can be a tool for creating economic mobility.Â
- Hope Worth Sharingâ K-12 Dive covers the optimism shared by Aneesh Sohoni (Twin Cities 2009) and NewSchools CEO Frances Messano.
- Rural Leaders Rising â Casey DeFord (Arkansas 2012) joins theRural Scoop Podcast to share how the Rural School Leadership Academy (RSLA) is developing school leaders and strengthening retention in rural communities.
- *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.
đ Opportunities
Organizing Leadership Network Strategy Lab
Join this 90-minute session to sharpen your organizing skills. Learn strategic research, practice interviews through roleplay, and leave with a drafted agenda and key questions.
May 14, 2026
University Partnerships
Weâve teamed up with Baylor University to create new, tangible ways for TFA alumni to lead, learn, and accelerate impact.
TFA alumni now have access to exclusive opportunities to keep growing, including 8-10% tuition savings in Baylor University – Moody School of Educationâs graduate education programs, plus additional scholarships and financial aid.
Whether youâre looking to deepen your impact or expand your skill set, Baylor offers flexible, high-impact pathwaysâincluding online programs like EdD in Learning & Organizational Change, an MS in Learning Design & Technology, and graduate certificates in Learning Design & Technology and Online Teaching & Learning.
For Texas-based alumni, on-campus programs at their Waco and Dallas campuses include masterâs and doctoral programs, and a Superintendent Certification.Visit Baylorâs Alumni Hub page to learn more about their programs and unlock your benefits, or dive into our full list of university partners.
Celebrate 35 Years
What’s Happening This Winter
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 â TFA Connect â 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.
