Profiles of Alumni
Alumni of Teach For America are a part of diverse network of leaders from all career fields, working to create opportunity in a variety of ways around the world. Meet some of our alumni, and read how their career trajectories have been shaped and transformed by their corps experience.
Ph.D Student
University of Utah
Region: Alabama, '12
Devon Cantwell's time in the classroom inspired her to go back and work on earning her doctorate at University of Utah.
Director of Curriculum & Instruction, K-12 Mathematics
University Prep Schools
Region: Detroit, '11
Teach For America Detroit alum Djeneba Cherif is responsible for developing the instructional vision, priorities, and performance metrics for K-12 mathematics at one of the first and largest charter networks in Detroit. In 2021 she was named Corp! Magazine’s overall winner of the Most Valuable Millennial award.
STEM Program Specialist
Booker T. Washington High School
Region: Metro Atlanta, '09
As a Teach For America corps member, Chanel Cobey taught ninth grade biology at the historic Booker T. Washington High School in Atlanta and says she fell in love with teaching. Today, she continues to develop relationships and inspire students to love science and math as the STEM program specialist at her school.
Executive Director
Detroit Children’s Fund
Region: New York, '05
Teach For America New York City alum Jack Elsey leads one of the largest Detroit nonprofits focused on high-potential investments to expand successful schools, improve lower performing schools, and discover and develop talented educators so that every child in Detroit has the opportunity to receive an excellent education.
Chemistry Teacher
Ransom Everglades School
Region: New York, '13
After earning a B.S. in chemistry from Stanford University, Bailey seemed set for a career in medicine. But after guiding her science students to success as a corps member, she remained in the classroom and continues to change students’ lives.
Lead Kindergarten Teacher and Grade Level Chair
KIPP Academy Lynn Charter School
Region: Twin Cities, '15
Sara joined the Twin Cities corps hoping to prepare for a career in education policy or the nonprofit sector. As soon as she started teaching, however, Sara discovered the classroom was exactly where she wanted to be.
Math Department Chair
DC Prep
Region: Washington, '12
Now a founding fifth-grade math teacher and Math Department Chair at DC Prep, Micah uses his passions and skills he gained in the corps to expand his impact as a school leader.
Programs Manager, Leadership for Educational Equity (LEE) Policy Advisor Fellow, and COO
Radical Partners and FitLit
Region: Miami-Dade, '12
Spurred to action by the needs of her ESOL students Katherine Leiva continues to be an advocate for equality, co-founding the youth leadership program FitLit and as a LEE Policy Advisor Fellow.
Founding Math Teacher
Noble Network Of Charter Schools
Region: Greater Delta: Mississippi & Arkansas, '12
As a founding math teacher at two different schools, Aaron has fallen in love with his career even though his undergraduate studies initially dictated a different path.
Assistant Principal
Tindley Collegiate
Region: Phoenix, '07
Shaina’s own experience as a student instilled in her the importance of showing all kids that they have incredible potential. She now serves as a school leader and continues to help students appreciate diverse cultures and succeed.