BATON ROUGE, Louisiana, June 20, 2024—Education nonprofit Teach For America Greater Baton Rouge is excited to announce the kickoff of their teacher training program in partnership with Thrive Academy. This summer, approximately 33 Teach For America (TFA) incoming corps members (new teachers) will gain hands-on training as they lead classrooms supporting Thrive Academy’s summer school enrichment program.

"Thrive Academy has a long, proud history with Teach For America, dating back to our school’s founder, Sarah Broome." said Superintendent Paul Sampson. "Our veteran teachers are looking forward to spending the summer coaching and training the newest group of TFA teachers as they prepare to head into classrooms this fall. I have no doubt they’ll leave our campus ready to inspire and educate students across the Capital Area.”

Thrive Academy was founded in 2011 by Teach For America Greater Baton Rouge alum Sarah Broome. A state run, no cost boarding school, Thrive opened its doors in 2012 with 20 sixth graders and quickly achieved remarkable success. Today, Thrive Academy has 180 students in grades 6-12 and is one of the highest performing schools in Baton Rouge.

TFA’s newest cohort of corps members will co-lead classrooms at Thrive Academy as they prepare to take on full-time teaching roles across Greater Baton Rouge in the fall. Corps members will work alongside Thrive Academy faculty, supporting with classes ranging from Earth Science and Pre-Calculus to Chemistry, World History, English Language Arts, and more for students in grades 9-12.

TFA corps members make a lifelong commitment to educational equity, and spend at least two years teaching in under-resourced schools in rural and urban areas nationwide; in Greater Baton Rouge, they serve in partner schools in East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Pointe Coupee and Ascension (specifically the city of Donaldsonville). These 33 teachers join a growing network of TFA corps members and alumni of the program—over 300 across the Capital Area, who are leading classrooms, schools, districts, and working across sectors to impact the education system.

“We are thrilled to welcome our newest corps members to the Capital Area,” said Laura Vinsant, Executive Director of Teach For America Greater Baton Rouge. “They are an enthusiastic group, ready and excited to work with students, families, and Thrive’s innovative, brilliant teaching teams this summer. Thrive Academy’s support is invaluable as we train our teachers and prepare them for their students this fall.”

The new teacher training kicked off with a Welcome Dinner on June 13, generously sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, marking the first day of in-person training.

Teach For America is grateful to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana and Associated Grocers for sponsoring TFA Greater Baton Rouge’s new teacher training program. “We are incredibly grateful to our community leaders and businesses who have supported our work,” shared Vinsant. “Their generosity enables Teach For America to recruit, train, and support our network of over 300 corps members and alumni throughout the Capital Area. With the support of Thrive Academy, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, and Associated Grocers, our newest teachers are on track to create a positive impact amongst students within our community.”

Starting this fall, TFA’s newest corps members will lead classrooms across the Capital Area. This summer’s programming is a key component of TFA’s multi-part, nationwide intensive pre-service experience, which began in May and will extend through teachers’ first 90 days in the classroom.

Teach For America and Thrive Academy staff and educators are available for interviews.

About Teach For America 

Teach For America works in partnership with communities across the country to expand educational opportunities for children. Founded in 1990, Teach For America finds, develops, and supports a diverse network of leaders who expand opportunity for children from classrooms, schools, and every sector and field that shapes the broader systems in which schools operate. Today, Teach For America is a force of over 70,000 alumni, corps members, Ignite fellows, and staff working in pursuit of profound systemic change so that one day every child has an equal opportunity to learn, lead, thrive, and co-create a future filled with possibility. Teach For America is a proud member of the AmeriCorps national service network. For more information, visit For more information, visit www.teachforamerica.org and follow us on Facebook and X.