Since 2008, Teach For America Jacksonville educators have impacted over 1 million students across Duval county. In partnership with the 56 schools, Teach For America plays an integral role in supporting students' academic success in Duval county.
Teach For America Jacksonville recruits, develops, and supports exceptional and diverse leaders who transform education and expand opportunities for children, beginning in the classroom. We ask the leaders in our network to make a lifelong commitment that begins with at least two years of teaching in a high-need school. During this time, our training and professional development fosters critical skills and mindsets—in doing so, we develop leaders who go beyond traditional expectations of these roles in order to advance the academic and personal growth of their students.
Making Progress in Jacksonville
The overall high school graduation rate in Duval County Public Schools increased significantly in recent years, improving from just 58 percent in 2010 to 86 percent in 2020. With 73 Teacher of the Year winners over the last decade, TFA Jacksonville is a key contributor to high-quality talent in the area.
Our Leaders
Meet Our Corps Members
Alex Dorego
Jacksonville '20
6th Grade Science Teacher
Alex joined Teach For America from Rhode Island, where he attended Providence College. “My students inspire my work. Once you get to know them, as time goes on, you realize that they are more than just your students. You really have to be there for them for many different reasons. You will have good days and bad days, but once you leave the day knowing you gave it all for them is a good feeling.”
LaTrernna Mosley
Jacksonville '19
7th Grade English Language Arts Teacher
LaTrenna joined Teach For America after attending the University of Florida. “Being able to help my students grow not only in my content area and data, but in their confidence, inspires and drives my work. I strive to help my students realize that they’re abilities far exceed the low expectations they sometimes have for themselves.”
Corps Members Stats
54%
Received Pell Grants
51%
Identify as People of Color
47%
List Florida as their Hometown State
38%
First in their family to attend college
Alumni Leadership Stats
100
Alumni Teachers
73
Teacher of the Year Winners
62
Alumni School Leaders
50+
Schools with TFA Educators
Alumni Leadership
Transforming education requires a broad and diverse coalition of people united around shared values and purpose, and our focus is on leveraging networks to pursue and achieve systems-level change. We do this by developing, supporting, and tracking the degree to which our alumni are making purposeful change in the area; engaging with and initiating programs or policies locally; and connecting with each other, our community, and our network to achieve maximum impact.
Alumni Spotlights
Kate Fulginitti
Jacksonville '10
Principal of Pinedale Elementary
2020 Florida Assistant Principal of the Year
“As you get to know kids and their stories, you have no choice but to love and to challenge them to believe in their potential and position them to be as successful as possible”
Rachael Tutwiler Fortune
Jacksonville '08
CEO
Jacksonville Public Education Fund
“Bridging the divide between the education systems and businesses to prepare the next generation for the next wave of careers, ensuring curriculum and instructional practices are inclusive of the knowledge and skillsets students will need to be successful. Closing the opportunity gap by strengthening talent in and around our public schools, notably ensuring we support great teachers and leaders are the most pressing issues for our community.”
Cameron Frazier
Jacksonville '12
Principal and Founder of Becoming Collegiate Academy
“Throughout my educational career, I have been privileged to work alongside the vast network of TFA alum—inside and outside the school system—to create opportunities across the country. This network of leaders, have and will continue to serve as a source of inspiration in continuing the pursuit of educational equity for all.”