Charming. Charismatic. Too cool for school. Every teacher can recall the students who stood out in their class. Teach For America alumni and corps members share memories of the students who helped them grow, challenged them, and made them feel like they were making a difference.

Teachers answer the question: Who is a student you will always remember?

“A student I had in my sixth-grade reading class. She is studying to be a teacher at Cal State Dominguez Hills now.”

Tanya Franklin

Los Angeles Corps Member 2005

“That kid who was Mr. Personality. He was a joy when he wanted to be a joy. He could be a handful when he wanted to be a handful. He really taught me how to teach my first year.”

Marcus Hughes

Metro Atlanta Corps Member 2003

“He had been retained twice already before coming into second grade. A few months later, he looked at me and he said, ‘Ms. Young, I think your superpowers are working.”

Amber Y. Medina

Los Angeles Corps Member 2001