As a government major at the University of Texas at Austin, Kat Wong was on a path to law school. All that changed when she watched Waiting for Superman, a documentary on the challenges facing the modern education system. Kat now works with clients as a strategic consultant, something she hopes to one day apply to the field of education.
Q & A
What led you to apply to Teach For America?
I discovered TFA after a friend showed me the documentary Waiting for Superman. The documentary inspired me, and I was determined to make a difference from that moment on. My parents were not pleased at first, but they now support my decision after witnessing the woman I’ve become as a result of my corps experience.
What was one of the major lessons you learned during the corps?
The biggest lesson I learned at TFA is humility. Being honest with oneself and acknowledging one’s shortfalls are essential to improving professionally and personally. Once I understood this, I could better relate to my students.
How do you use the skills and beliefs you developed in the corps?
As a teacher, I constantly developed my leadership style and was challenged with problems I never imagined. These experiences made me a better communicator, leader, and role model. These skills are widely transferable to any profession.