Detroit Our Work

Chioma is a TFA alumnus and serves as our instructional leadership coach. She supports corps members with professional development and helps them maximize their leadership potential.

Chioma began her career as a TFA corps member in Detroit. Prior to joining the corps, she was a behavioral therapist in Oakland, CA, where she helped young males of color deal with traumatic circumstances while navigating their studies.

Chioma earned a master’s degree in education and teaching certificate from the University of Michigan. She earned a bachelor’s degree in African American Studies and education policy from Berkeley.

Jessica is responsible for ensuring the region recruits, matriculates, certifies, and places its incoming corps members in a strategic and timely fashion.

Before joining Teach For America, Jessica was a human resources specialist in facilities management where she was responsible for tracking and managing employee onboarding. 

Born and raised in Detroit, Jessica is a proud product of the Detroit Public Schools system, graduating from Renaissance High School. Jessica received her bachelor degree in General Studies focused on African American Studies and Psychology from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Jessica is a creative and in her spare time enjoys dancing, experimenting with Pinterest projects, venturing to new restaurants, and baking wedding cakes every once in a while.

Marah is a Teach For America alumnus and leads our donor cultivation and stewardship, spearheading all aspects of fund development.

Marah began her career as a Detroit corps member, teaching high school social studies. She most recently managed corporate and foundation relations at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

She serves on the board for the greater Detroit chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Marah holds a master’s degree in educational studies and a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Michigan and is currently pursuing her MBA.

Marah is passionate about education and creating opportunities for Detroit students. She and her husband Austin enjoy visiting new Detroit restaurants and cheering on the Wolverines.

Rachel is a Teach For America alumn and serves as our instructional leadership coach. She supports corps members with professional development and empowers them to maximize their leadership potential.

Rachel previously taught for five years, joining the TFA Detroit corps in 2013. As a member of the school improvement team, she led staff professional development and mentored various student organizations.

Rachel has a bachelor’s degree in history and social studies and completed her master’s degree in teaching and curriculum at Michigan State University. She was an instructor at Northwestern University’s Civic Education Project and led high school students through a program focused on social justice.

Rachel lives in Detroit with her dog, Murphy and loves to travel.

Charity is a Teach For America alumnus and serves as our senior managing director of program continuum. She ensures that corps members and alumni receive outstanding professional development and have a seamless corps experience.

Charity started her career In 2004, as a middle school teacher in Houston. She joined TFA staff in 2010 to support teacher leadership development in the Houston region. She returned home to Detroit two years later to become the principal of University YES Academy.

Charity earned a master’s degree in education from National Louis University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan. She also holds a teaching certificate from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, TX.

Charity sings in multiple acapella groups that perform around the country.

Jeff is a Teach For America alumnus and serves as a director of networking strength and engagement. He is responsible for recruiting, matriculating, hiring and building community within the Detroit corps community. He contributes to developing programs and generating revenue, as well as convening and growing our network of leaders across the region.

Jeff previously served as a corps member and taught kindergarten at Palmer Park Preparatory Academy in Detroit. 

Jeff is currently working on a master’s degree in business administration at the University of Michigan. He has a bachelor’s degree in history from Pennsylvania State University. 

Jeff originally hails from a small town outside of Scranton, Pennsylvania. He's an amateur powerlifter and enjoys spending time working on his vintage Volkswagen.

Michelle is a Teach For America alumnus and serves as our director of program continuum. She coaches first and second-year corps members and leads the region’s Teacher Leadership Development team.

Michelle previously supported external relations for a charter management organization as well as Leadership for Educational Equity. In 2010, she taught social studies in Detroit Public Schools for two years as a Detroit corps member. Prior to joining the corps, she worked at a nonprofit serving migrant communities in Homestead, Florida.

Michelle obtained her bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Florida. She is the second person in her family to graduate from college, after her older sister.

Tanya is a Michigan native and serves as our coordinator of regional operations and executive administration, supporting the sustainability and productivity of our team.

Tanya brings over 10 years of professional experience working with nonprofits and governmental agencies in the areas of education, human services, and public health. She previously managed operations for early childhood and school-based service programs at Southwest Solutions in Detroit.

Tanya earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

Tanya is committed to serving the community and improving the quality of life for families through her volunteer work with organizations in the Lansing and Detroit areas.

Jacob is a Teach For America alumnus and serves as our manager of alumni engagement. He works to strengthen the connectivity between TFA’s alumni and our region and supports alumni seeking professional development, networking, and career advancement. 

Jacob started his career in 2014 as an elementary school teacher in Detroit Public Schools, where he taught all subjects. 

Jacob is currently working on a master’s degree in educational leadership and policy from the University of Michigan. He earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from Florida Gulf Coast University.

Jacob enjoys reading, traveling, roaming around Ferndale and Detroit, and being outdoors with his fiancé, Jesus.

Terrence serves as the marketing and communications manager for Teach For America Detroit.

Terrence previously served as the marketing and communications manager for the Michigan Science Center. Prior to this position, he worked as an account executive for Van Dyke Horn Public Relations.

Terrence earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of Iowa. 

Raised in Detroit, Terrence was awarded the Spirit of Detroit award by the city council for his outstanding leadership.

Terrence currently serves on the boards of Black Family Development and Living Arts in Detroit. He is a spoken-word poet, playwright, and motivational speaker.