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Meet our Alumni

Browse this list to find TFA alumni in business, politics, medicine, school leadership, journalism, nonprofits, technology, and more. Then click into their profiles to read more about how their experience as corps members shaped their careers.
Four Teach For America alumni stand next to a One Day display

Profiles of Alumni

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Alumni

Yesenia Castro

School Leader

KIPP SoCal Public Schools

Region: New York, '07

After Yesenia Castro graduated from Stanford and joined TFA, her experience teaching with the corps in New York would transform her trajectory and propel her into the career she holds now as principal at KIPP Raíces Academy in Los Angeles.

Alumni

Leon Chan

Structural Engineer

Baldridge & Associates

Region: Hawai'i, '10

Teach For America alum Leon Chan applied for the organization after learning about the need for teachers with a STEM background.

Alumni

Johannah Chase

Initiative Lead, Catalytic Communities

The Walton Family Foundation

Region: New York, '05

Once an 8th grade math teacher, track coach, and union rep, Johannah’s career has always focused on equity for all students. She’s led in roles at the NYC DOE, the Governor’s office, Bank Street College of Education, and now the Walton Foundation.

Alumni

Djeneba Cherif

Chief Academic Officer

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.

Alumni

Chanel Cobey-Williams

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.  

Melissa Connelly

CEO

OneGoal

Region: Greater Chicago–Northwest Indiana, '06

Melissa Connelly, CEO of the nonprofit OneGoal, wants you to know the TFA corps experience is an excellent way to build your foundation as a change maker, by the life lessons you learn and the compassionate people you meet.

Alumni

Charli Cooksey

Founder and CEO

WEPOWER

Region: St. Louis, '09

Charli’s experience teaching in her hometown showed her what’s at stake—and what’s possible—when a great education hangs in the balance. As the co-founder of inspireSTL and current CEO of WEPOWER, she’s part of an incredible network of St. Louis leaders expanding opportunities for kids. 

Alumni

Tia Corniel

Principal

City School District of Albany

Region: Phoenix, '06

Just six years after completing her TFA commitment, Tia earned a role as a principal in her hometown of Albany. She knows that education is her calling, and she’s dedicated to working as hard as she can for her students.

Jim Curran

Senior Vice President, Regional Field Executive

Teach For America

Region: Phoenix, '05

Jim Curran is a Senior Vice President, Regional Field Executive and is currently the interim executive director for TFA Colorado. Jim started his career as a 2005 Phoenix corps member, teaching 4th grade in Laveen, AZ. He spent most of his career in South Dakota and was the executive director there for ten years.

Alumni

Maggie Dahn

Associate Project Scientist

Connected Learning Lab

Region: Greater Chicago–Northwest Indiana, '08

Maggie's dual passions for education and the arts have intersected throughout her academic and career arcs. The wisdom she's gained from experience in the classroom has become invaluable throughout her professional journey.