More than 350 civic, education and business leaders gathered this May at a benefit dinner to support Teach For America Los Angeles’ work to expand educational opportunity in low-income communities.

The Tale of Tomorrow benefit raised more than $680,000 to fund the recruitment, training and support of TFA LA corps members in high-need schools. Funds also will support the leadership development of alumni who are working in education or other sectors to dismantle educational inequity.

The fourth annual event included lead sponsors Corwin, Shane P. Martin and Loyola Marymount University School of Education, Bill and Leslie McMorrow and David and Michelle Rosenberg. Great Public Schools Now matched $87,000 raised via text-to-pledge designated for regional teacher training.

Since 1990, Teach For America Los Angeles has partnered with local public schools to improve education for children in under-resourced communities. TFA LA corps members make an initial two-year commitment to teach in high-needs schools, and alumni work inside and outside of classrooms to promote educational equity.

This year 200 Teach For America corps members are teaching in over 100 traditional and charter public schools across Los Angeles. Over 2,500 alumni of the program live in greater Los Angeles, including more than 700 teachers, 86 mid-level school leaders, 80 principals and 16 school system leaders.

During the benefit, three TFA LA alums and one advocacy organization were honored for their impact.

• Classroom Changemaker:  Hae Na Shin, a second-year corps member who teaches special education at Normandie Elementary School. Hae Na was 2016 Rookie of the Year honoree for Los Angeles Unified School District thanks to her educational leadership.
• School Changemaker: Marisol Pineda Conde, the principal of Camino Nuevo Miramar High School and a 2008 TFA LA alum. Marisol and her leadership team are improving college access for low-income, Hispanic students.
• Community Changemaker: Derrick Chau, the senior executive director of instruction at Los Angeles Unified School District and a 1997 TFA LA alum. Derrick is leading systemic change within the nation’s second largest school district.
• Regional Changemakers: William Siart and Myrna Castrejon, the chairman and executive director, of Great Public Schools Now and its board members. Their support of TFA LA enabled us to dramatically increase the number of incoming new teachers working in underserved communities.

“Our changemaker honorees exemplify the amazing work that's being done across Los Angeles to improve education for all kids. We are honored that TFA LA helped Hae Na, Marisol and Derrick get their start, and we thank Great Public Schools Now and our sponsors for making it possible for us to continue our transformational work,” said Lida Jennings, executive director of Teach For America-Los Angeles.

View all of the night's photos