Teach For America Oklahoma City | 2019 Cohort Yearbook

ALUMNI INDUCTION 2021

UNLEASH

CHANGE 2019 YEARBOOK

A LETTER FROM YOUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Dear 2019 corps, Congratulations on the completion of your Teach For America commitment and entry into alumnihood! It has been an honor to serve alongside you over the last two years towards achieving impact for students across Oklahoma City in the midst of a historic pandemic. When I reflect on the spirit and impact of the 2019 corps, I think about the ways each of you remained resilient with every challenge that stood in the way of showing up and serving students.

Resilience requires not just “getting through a tough moment” but also the ability to remain hopeful, recover, and adjust quickly in difficult conditions, and to show resolve and courage when it’s easy to walk away or maintain the status quo.

When schools shut down in March 2020, I not only witnessed resilience in action. You all took it another level by quickly learning how to make virtual and distance learning work, figuring out ways to engage with students through Zoom meetings and recordings, innovating and finding ways to connect and elevate hope through drive-thru and Zoom competitions, and maintaining optimism with your students. I also felt the strength of your relationships with students as you shared the loss and sadness of not knowing whether it would be the last time you would see and engage with your students in person before the end of the year.

When you all entered your second year of teaching, things did not get any easier or better. Yet the 2019 corps navigated the constant change and uncertainty.

You all refused to let the barriers get in the way of showing up for students — ensuring students were learning how to read, teaching in both virtual and inperson settings, helping students build

their confidence in math and science, planning projects and units connected to the social injustices that are occurring in our world right now, leading clubs and sports teams, and so much more. Of course, there were moments of challenges when we all wondered if we could keep going, and you had to engage in tough and honest conversations as a corps.

Each time, I saw you all come out of the challenges stronger. You leaned on one another, our TFA team, and other colleagues at your school site. You all demonstrated the limitless potential you have as leaders to make an impact in the midst of challenges, just as our students are limitless in their potential.

I am excited to welcome you into alumnihood where you join a large network of leaders across the nation who believe in One Day. Systems-level change and enduring impact will not occur unless we have alumni continuing to make an impact, taking on key roles in various sectors, collaborating with one another, and partnering with the community. I encourage you all to take your experience from the corps to elevate the voices and experiences of your students and to take action that will ensure equitable outcomes for students.

Regardless of your plans after your corps experience, Oklahoma is always open to you and my hope is that you will always count it on the short list of places that feel like home. We are stronger because of your commitment to students and families, so thank you for the lasting impact you have made over the past two years and I look forward to hearing about the great things each of you will do to unleash change and continue to fight for educational equity.

WHERE WE

SERVED

FilLmore Elementary

Douglass High

Adelaide Lee

School

School

Elementary School

Jazlynn Fead Hayley Lim Kate Wesseling

AJ Herzog Bryan Storie

Carsen Van der Linden

Roosevelt Middle

Elementary School

School

Caitlyn Brekke

Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School

Marie Odine Jasmine Stevenson Thelma R. Parks Elementary School

Destiny Julye Santa fe south High School

Susan Diaz-Meshejian Joe Regan

Christine Hays Briona Hill Eytan Penn Santa fe south Middle School

Nadia Braun Lizzie Pollard Jay St. Clair

Heronville

Santa fe south spero upper Elementary School

Lucy Bessler Kelsey Kerkhof An Vu TEACH FOR AMERICA OKLAHOMA CITY OFFICE

OUR

2019 CORPS

ONE DAY, ALL CHILDREN in this nation will have the opportunity to attain an excellent education.

SUMMER '19

INDUCTION Induction. Institute. Orientation. Summer included an exciting start to Corps Members' TFA Adventure!

TEACH FOR AMERICA OKLAHOMA CITY REGION

2019 CORPS MEMBERS

Lucy Bessler

Nadia Braun

2nd Grade Math

6th Grade ELA Reading

Jazlynn Fead-Bush

Christine Hays

2nd Grade

Destiny Julye 1st Grade

Caitlyn Brekke 2nd Grade

AJ Herzog

Susan Diaz-Meshejian 9th Grade Math

Briona Hill

7th Grade Math

Chemistry & Anatomy & Physiology

5th Grade Math

Kelsey Kerkhof

Hayley Lim

Marie Odine

4th & 5th Writing and reading

3rd Grade

1st Grade

Eytan Penn

Lizzie Pollard 6th Grade Math

11th Grade ELA

7th Grade Science

Bryan Storie

Carsen Van der Linden

1st Grade

An Vu

Kate Wesseling

5th-7th Remediation Math

English III & IV

Joe Regan

Jay St Clair

3rd Grade

4th Grade

Every time I tell my students to put their whiteboards, markers, and easers away, EMBARRASSING teacher moment? I always say "cap your whiteboards" instead of "cap your markers". My I created a math song about kiddos are hysterically laughing every using the CUBES method to time **face palm** - Destiny Julye solve word problems, and I My most embarrassing teacher moment used the old town road is when I called a student by the wrong instrumental. Although I love the song, I am not a singer. The name multiple times for a whole class students begged to hear it, and period until he became fed up and yelled at me that it wasn’t his name. - AJ I promised I would sing it if Herzog they all scored great on the math test. Well they did, and so Crying laughing when a kid cursed in a I did......THEY LAUGHED lol. very creative manner - Kelsey Kerkhof Jazlynn Fead-Bush Crying when we watched Coco Hitting the woah to teach together!!!! It’s too cute. - Caitlyn PEMDAS, periodt. - Susan Brekke Diaz-Meshejian My most embarrassing teacher moment I bent down and split my pants. - Briona Hill has got to be when I misjudged my lunch break during m first year. I My classroom contained the ladder the maintenance team showed up half an hour late to my fifth uses to access the roof. My most embarrassing moment was period and it was just BAD. I still can having to contain my class’ laughter when a technician’s butt hear "Mister, you are late" as I walked in came into full view as they descended the ladder. I’m still not the door. - Joe Regan sure if he knew what happened. - Carsen Van der Linden What's your most

Lucy Bessler

Nadia Braun

Caitlyn Brekke Jazlynn Fead-Bush

You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.

Christine Hays

Susan Diaz-Meshjian

"“Do not judge me by my success, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.” ― Nelson Mandela To my students, ""Que te quiero más que a mi própia piel."" -- Frida Kahlo"

AJ Herzog

We need women who are so strong that they can be gentle, so educated that they can be humble, so fierce that they can be compassionate, so passionate that they can be rational, and so disciplined that they can be free. We need uncommon women. Kavita Ramdas “I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” -Robert Frost “You meet in life the exact reproduction of your own thoughts. You descend to the level of your lowest concept of your self. Free your mind and your ass will follow.”

Funkadelic ""When someone is taught the joy of learning, it becomes a life-long process that never stops, a process that creates a logical individual. That is the challenge and joy of teaching." ~ Marva Collins “Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts.” Winston Churchill

QUOTES that related Destiny Julye

to our corpS year

“Do not judge me by my success, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.”

Briona Hill

"You must understand that in the attempt to correct so many generations of bad faith and cruelty, when it is operating not only in the classroom but in society, you will meet the most fantastic, the most brutal, and the most determined resistance. " --James Baldwin

“It is better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring” -Marilyn Monroe It's okay to not know, it is not okay to not try.

"Be the teacher you needed when you were younger" “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” - Mother Teresa "One hundred years from now, it won't matter what kind of car I drove, What kind of house I lived in, How much money I had in the bank, Nor what my clothes looked like.

But, the world may be a little better Because, I was important in the life of a child." -Excerpt from "Within My Power" by Forest Witcraft "Are not there little chapters in everybody's life, that seem to be nothing, and yet affect all the rest of the history?" - George Makepeace Thackeray

Kelsey Kerkhof Hayley Lim Marie Odine Eytan Penn

Lizzie Pollard

Joe Regan

What a long strange trip it’s been. -Grateful Dead

Jay St

If you see someone without a smile today, give'em yours. - Dolly Parton

Bryan

“Not to feel exasperated, or defeated, or despondent because your days aren’t packed with wise and moral actions. But to get back up when you fail, to celebrate...and fully embrace the pursuit that you’ve embarked on.” - Marcus Aurelius “And I knew exactly what to do. But in a much more real sense, I had no idea what to do.”

“Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.”

Clair

Storie Carsen Van der Linden

An Vu

Kate Wesseling

What is the BEST PART of teaching?

Nadia Braun Caitlyn Brekke

Jazlynn FeadBush

Susan DiazMeshejian

My students! They are so excited to read and learn. It inspires me every day to be a better teacher and person.

The best part of teaching is creating an inclusive environment where everyone has a voice. I love bringing out the voices of those who don’t often speak up, and challenging the ones who do to find power in listening. Having a space where everyone feels safe made this year feel so FUN. Seeing the sparkle in a child’s eye, or watching the lightbulb go off when they make the connections in class. To see them get it, and show enthusiasm to learn more is what I do this for. Being appreciated, not only as a teacher, but as a person as well.

The best part of teaching is getting to share stories with and blow the minds of children with all that is possible in the world by simply encouraging them to chase their dreams.

Christine Hays AJ Herzog Briona Hill

Destiny Julye

Kelsey

The best part of teaching is building relationships with students!

The best part of teaching is seeing my students’ confidence grow as they start to grasp or master a concept.

The best part of teaching is making the longlasting relationships with my students and being the change and spark that can alter their relationship with education.

I love greeting my students at the door, doing a quick check in, and letting them pick our greeting.

My favorite part of the day is when I get to do a read-aloud with my students.

Goofing off with the kids (within reason)

Kerkhof Hayley Lim Marie Odine Eytan Penn

The best part of teaching is the students, because of the students, each day is full of laughter and adventure.

Best part of teaching is when a students says Mrs. Odine taught me that.

My favorite parts of teaching include watching student master content and take pride in their learning as well as building relationships with students.

How funny my 6th graders are. No matter what kind of mood I am in when I go to work, they always manage to put a smile on my face :) Everyday is different and I love getting to know everyone and really create a family with coworkers and students.

The best part about teaching is being a part of the lives of so many young men and women.

Being able to shape young minds and see the potential that is in every student The conversations with my students.

Lizzie Pollard

Joe Regan Jay St CLair Bryan Storie

The kids that made up my two classes were indisputably the best part of my teaching experience. Their limitless energy and patience made my time in the classroom a true joy.

I am sure that any teacher can agree... one of the most amazing things within our profession is the “Aha!” moments. Witnessing a lightbulb go off in a student’s mind when skills and concepts click into place is the reason I teach.

Carsen van der linden Kate Wesseling

Who/what INSPIRED YOU to become a teacher?

Nadia Braun Caitlyn Brekke

Jazlynn Fead-Bush Susan DiazMeshejian

My parents are both teachers, and inspired me to become great teachers like they are.

I wanted to see the system I grew up in from a more informed perspective. I wanted to see the inter-workings of segregation and unequal school funding in action. Along the way I also gained a better understanding of the teachers perspective and the conditions they work within.

I desire to be the change I want to see in the world.

It’s starts with our youth.

I always knew I wanted to try teaching since I'd seen my great aunt serve her community in libraries, my grandmother serve her life as an educator in Panama, my mother telling tales of her time as a summer school teacher, and my aunt as a music education teacher.

Bertilda Diaz, Susan Meshejian, Gail Meshejian

AJ Herzog

Briona Hill

Destiny Julye Kelsey Kerkhof

I was inspired to become a teacher by the opportunity to be a role model for students and champion them to be their best.

My grandmothers and my 4th grade teacher are my who's, my what is to be the representation and advocate for black and brown students in a society where often they are devalued and not fully seen.

School-to-prison pipeline, food deserts, lack of access Teachers I experienced throughout my life

I was inspired to become a teacher because of the incredible teachers in my family, along with the amazing teachers I had throughout my life that made a huge impact on my life.

My own teachers

Hayley Lim

Eytan Penn

Teaching ESL in college to adult immigrants really opened up my eyes to what an impact I can make on my community with just two hours of my time. I have always wanted to be a teacher, but went to school for advertising, and when I was working in that field, I was not getting the same fulfillment as I did with teaching. I love this and will continue it, hopefully becoming a principal within the next ten years.

All the young and smart men who think school is not for them inspired me to become a teacher. I can tell you how the world looked outside the windows of more classrooms than I can count because I would get bored and antsy sitting in a seat in a classroom in school. I got into the teaching game to try to reach the smart young men who don't like school but do like learning, and I am happy to say that I have reached many of them. The most fulfilling part about being a teacher has been reaching kids, like me at their age, who have so much potential but let their frustration get in the way of their ability.

Some truly caring teachers I’ve had through the years- Mrs. Litz, Mrs. Overstreet, and Mrs. Allers are all teachers I take inspiration from My wife, Amanda. Her passion for her students was contagious.

The legacy of civil rights and other activism that crossed state and national boundaries to advance the cause of justice. TFA seemed like a way I could contribute in some small way to the continuation of that legacy.

Lizzie Pollard

Joe Regan

Jay St Clair

Bryan Storie carsen van der linden

IN TEN YEARS I hope my students...

Lucy Bessler

Nadia Braun Caitlyn brekke

Jazlynn fead-bush

susan diazmeshejian

In 10 years, I hope my students firmly believe in their power to be world changers and never lose sight of how worthy and truly adored they are!

In 10 years, I hope my students are fulfilling their wildest dreams.

christine hays aj herzog

briona hill

I hope my students feel fully comfortable and capable being their true selves. I hope they feel excitement about learning new things! And I hope they reach out :) Remember that there was someone who cared enough to not only ask what was wrong, but ask how I could help.

Are trusting themselves, following their intuition, chasing THEIR dreams, being kind to others and themselves, living curiously, and are happy.

destiny julye kelsey

In 10 years, I hope my students will feel empowered to set goals and go after them.

Are living happy lives without regret.

Remember that Miss Hill loved them, cared for them, and was always fighting for what's best and right FOR them.

Are making their dreams a reality.

Invite me to their graduation :)

kerkhof hayley lim

marie odine

Continue to be curious, caring, and above all else I hope they remember they are loved and will always have an advocate in me.

Know they had a 1st grade teacher that cared.

Eytan Penn

Lizzie Pollard

Joe Regan Jay St CLair

Bryan Storie

Are proud of themselves and make their parents, families, and educators proud.

Realize their value in society and make their ideas heard. That they always see their intelligence and help build others up.

Keep running toward the horizon.

Carsen Van der linden An vu

Kate Wesseling

Truly understand what it takes to think scientifically and critically to address the world’s issues

Are confident in their abilities, invested in the future of the planet, and living their lives as authentically as possible.

In 10 years, I hope my students are happy and comfortable with being their true authentic self.

Achieve the long term goals they set for themselves at 8 and 9 years old. In ten years they’ll be entering adulthood and have the ability to take ownership of their futures and inspire future generations to come.

Will look back on their time in my classroom as memorable and meaningful.

“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” — Malcolm X

Havana - Kidz Bop

WHAT’S GOING ON??

THREE NON BLONDES

Life in the CORPS

First there were friendships created at institute and hard conversations had at Leadership Summits. Then bonds created in classrooms, content sessions while navigating through a pandemic. Before finally memories made in homes and on adventures.

leadership summits

We develop as student-centered systems leaders by preparing ourselves with content, perspective, research, and stories. We engage, listen, and learn alongside our community. We reflect and apply our learnings from the system, group and individual layers.

Teaching in a pandemic

2020-2021 TFA STAFF

Jessica Bustillos-Chavez

Manager, Corps Experience

Chris Tina Chen

Manager, Teacher Leadership Development

Foluke Olorunnisola

Director, Teacher Leadership Development

Yvita Fox

Director, School Leadership & Policy

Sarah Park Executive Director

Emily Yowell

Director, Development & Finance

CM ADVISORY BOARD

Nadia Braun 2019 CM

Mackenzie Guzman 2020 CM

Jazlyn Marcos 2020 CM

Eytan Penn 2019 CM

AJ Herzog 2019 CM

Briona Hill 2019 CM

Joe Regan 2019 CM

Hayley Lim 2019 CM

Kate Wesseling 2019 CM

CORP MEMBER

COACHES ALUMNI

TRANSITION

DISTRICT

TEAM LEAD

PARENTS

PARTNERS

FUNDRAISERS

CORP MEMBER LEADS

NATIONAL

DONORS

NETWORK SCHOOL STAFF

COMMUNITY PARTNER

Committed Community Driven To Impact

Maddy Baum 2018 CM

Kelsey Kerkhof 2019 CM

Jen Carter 2018 CM

Merrick Eagleton 2016 CM

Christine Hays 2019 CM

Blair Husted 2013 CM

Angela Martinez 2013 CM

Lizzie Pollard 2019 CM

Joe Regan 2019 CM

Steve Smith 2017 CM

CORPS MEMBER LEADS Jesus Vasquez 2017 CM

An Vu 2019 CM