Connecticut Welcomes Two New Staff Members
Frank Costanzo
Frank Costanzo will serve as the Senior Managing Director of Programs and Innovation for the region. An adjunct professor and graduate student coach at Columbia University’s Teachers College, Costanzo will oversee the entire participant journey from recruitment to incoming corps members, teachers in more than 10 different subjects from Pre-K through Grade 12 that join TFA, through the two-year corps member experience through alumni status. Constanzo boasts nearly 20 years of experience working in public school districts and previously served as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the Norwalk Public Schools for six years, supervising principals, district and school improvement strategies, health services, district security, and human resources.
Krista Schroth
Krista Schroth will serve in the role of Director of Alumni Programs after previously working as the Manager of Program Operations & Alumni Communication for the region. Schroth worked as Leadership Program Manager and Student Engagement and Leadership at The College of William & Mary, prior to her time with Teach For America Connecticut. Schroth also served as Program Coordinator for the Sarah Michelle Peterson Foundation, which provides depression and suicide prevention awareness programs and resources for the Hampton Roads communities and beyond in Virigina. Schroth was a Teach For America Corps Member from 2012-2014 where she administered practical field and classroom activities to assist students in meeting course objectives.
Dr. Dolores Garcia-Blocker
Executive Director
Teach For America Connecticut
Dr. Dolores Garcia-Blocker is a lifelong educator with more than 30 years of experience working in public school systems. She started as a teacher in Washington, D.C., led schools in New York and Connecticut, and has held district leadership roles for the last 10 years in Connecticut.
Meet Our Staff

Senior Managing Director, Programs and Innovation
Frank Costanzo, Ed.D.
(he/him/his) Frank leads oversight of the entire participant journey from recruitment through alumnihood. You can reach Frank at frank.costanzo@teachforamerica.org.

Managing Director, Program Impact and Experience
Amina Brown
Philly
08
(she/her/hers) Amina leads the incoming corps member phase from selection through pre-service and supports certification compliance. You can reach Amina at amina.brown@teachforamerica.org.

Managing Director, Strategy, Talent, Operations
Kelly Pope
(she/her/hers) Kelly leads the operational and talent processes for the regional team. You can reach Kelly at kelly.pope@teachforamerica.org.

Managing Director, Teacher Leadership Development
Grace Collins
NYC
12
(she/her/hers) Grace leads our team of coaches in supporting Connecticut corps members. You can reach Grace at grace.collins@teachforamerica.org.

Director of Finance, Data, Compliance
Jessica Argenas
CT
17
(she/her/hers) Jessica develops, implements, and evaluates the regional data and finance strategy. You can reach Jessica at jessica.argenas@teachforamerica.org.

Director, Corps Member Program Design and Delivery
Ayanna Vinson Dobson
CT
11
(she/her/hers) Ayanna leads the design and delivery of programming for in-service corps members. You can reach Ayanna at ayanna.vinsondobson@teachforamerica.org.

DIRECTOR, ALUMNI PROGRAMS
Krista Schroth
ENC
12
(she/her/hers) Krista sets the vision and direction for our alumni culture, network, and engagement. You can reach Krista at krista.schroth@teachforamerica.org.