Teach For America Houston: 2023-2024 Yearbook

Page 1


2023-2024 Yearbook

I am thrilled to present Teach For America Houston's 2023-2024 Yearbook. Yearbooks have always been a cherished reminder of the connections and moments that shaped a year. For me, they captured the joy of reflecting on a chapter filled with growth and memories. As you explore the pages of this yearbook, I hope you feel pride and excitement, knowing that your support was instrumental in the success we’ve achieved this year. If you’re reading this, it’s because your contributions played a vital role in ensuring TFA Houston continues to thrive and make a meaningful impact on our students. Thank you.

Within these pages, you’ll find stories and data that showcase the extraordinary progress we ' ve made, thanks to the unwavering dedication of our TFA community. Our greatest achievement remains ensuring a high-quality education for students in underresourced schools. With the strength of our team – over 230 corps members and over 1,800 alumni in the region – we are making real change happen.

In Houston, our bold goal is to double the number of students in our impact districts who meet important academic benchmarks in 3rd grade reading and 8th grade math. To get there, we’re recruiting top-tier talent, supporting alumni who continue to lead in education, and extending learning through our Ignite program.

The collective power of this community is what fuels our progress and sets our students on a path of endless possibility. Houston is stronger together, and I am deeply humbled to be part of this movement. I invite you to continue supporting and celebrating with us as we shape the future, together.

Yours in the movement!

By 2030, twice as many children in communities where we work will reach key educational milestones, indicating that they are on a path to economic mobility and co-creating a future filled with possibility.

Recruit Teachers and Leaders

Develop Teachers and Leaders

Retain Teachers and Leaders

Build knowledge of evidence-based teaching practices

Build knowledge of new school models improving student outcomes

Build on school day learning with high-dosage tutoring

Build authentic partnerships

Collaborate to increase exceptional, diverse, and equity-oriented talent

Collaborate to expand evidence-based teacher efficacy practices

Teach For America Houston (TFA) is a leadership development organization that recruits the top talent our city needs to tackle the education crisis head-on. We find and develop exceptional leaders to teach in high-need classrooms across our city and support them throughout their career journey as education champions.

Our corps members and alumni commit to creating opportunities for the next generation so all children can lead, learn, and contribute to a thriving Houston

ach For America Houston, we know our corps ers (CM) move on to become policy and emakers in many fields on a local and national and that begins with their experience in the oom.

eply value the corps member experience inside tside the classroom. Throughout the year, corps ers enjoy social events, receive professional pment aligned to their interests, and have the unity to meet education leaders across Houston.

Growing up in a low-income community, I saw firsthand the struggles students face when resources are scarce. One summer, my high school needed a tutor for summer school, offering me volunteer hours in exchange. I spent over 240 hours helping classmates, and it was the best decision I ever made. Watching students grasp challenging concepts ignited my passion for teaching, a passion that led me to UCLA and eventually to Teach For America.

While at UCLA, I met TFA ambassadors who shared the organization’s mission to help students from underserved backgrounds. It reminded me of the pride I felt helping my classmates graduate, and I knew I wanted to make a difference in the same way.

One of my biggest surprises as a teacher was learning that teaching is more about classroom management than instruction. I started teaching ESL students, though I didn’t speak Spanish. The bond we built as I learned their language and they learned Biology created a mutual respect that transformed the classroom environment. By the end of the year, the Biology pass rate tripled.

These experiences taught me that education is about more than lessons; it’s about connection, understanding, and helping students see the potential within themselves.

High

Sam

Teach For America Alumni Teachers

SommerMadison('23) NewTeacher of theYear FurrHighSchool,HISD
NardaTorres(‘17)
Sarah Honore (‘04) 2023 Kinder Excellence in Teaching Award Winner!
Taylor Glass ('22) New Teacher of the Year
Shearn Elementary School, HISD

Our second annual Ignite Potential Luncheon, chaired by Sangita and Colin Pogge (TFA alum and board member), was a powerful gathering that showcased the heart and strength of our community. We united with our dedicated partners and supporters to reflect on the growing impact of Teach For America Houston. We proudly celebrated Janet Clark for her outstanding contributions to education and welcomed Rice University President, Reginald DesRoches as our keynote speaker. His thoughtprovoking message on the power of education, from his personal experience and working alongside Teach For America, inspired attendees.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who made this event unforgettable, filled with stories of collaboration, celebration, and inspiration. With over 260 attendees, each united by a shared commitment to the transformative power of education, we raised over $438,000 to fuel our mission. The day stood as a powerful reminder of what we can achieve together and reaffirmed our collective determination to build a brighter future for students across our community.

Save the Date: This year’s Ignite Potential Luncheon: Inspiring Excellence is on February 19, 2025.

$100,000+

H-E-B (multi-region support)

Kinder Foundation

MD Anderson Foundation

OneStar Foundation

Samuels Family Foundation

Texas Education Agency

The Brown Foundation

The Meadows Foundation (multi-region support)

$25,000 - $99,999

Asha and Farid Virani

C.T. Bauer Foundation

CFP Foundation

ConocoPhillips

Cynthia and Ben Guill

EOG Resources

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

Janet F. Clark

John P. McGovern Foundation

Rockwell Fund, Inc

Sarah and Doug Foshee

Vivian L Smith Foundation

$5,000-$9,999

Katherine Reid

Kathy and Brian Reid

Katy and Michael Casey

Kimberly J Sterling

Lori and Robert Sherman

Mike & Rhonda Stewart

Molly and Jim Crownover

Nancy OConnor

Paige and George Hagle

Posey-Glickert Foundation

Scurlock Foundation

Shawn L Raymond

Sis and Hasty Johnson

The Mendelsohn Family Fund

$10,000-$24,999

Centerpoint Energy

Chinhui and Edward R Allen, III

Claire and Joe Greenberg

Etoile Acad Charter School - Hornwood

Florence Langford

George and Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation

GRITS Foundation

Jarrett Whitaker

Jeri and Marc Shapiro

Lisa and Will Mathis

Maconda and Sacha Abinader

Melbern G and Susanne M Glasscock Foundation

Sangita and Colin Pogge

The Clayton Fund, Inc

The Hevrdejs Foundation

The Tapeats Fund

Virginia A Clark

$5,000-$9,999

Jennifer and Gregg Costa

Andrea Alexander

Annie and Bob Graham

Carla Knobloch

George Hagle

J Squared Family Foundation

Jenny and Chris Johnson

Josephine and Richard Smith

Karen and Larry George

Teach For America Houston is deeply grateful for the support of the following individuals, corporations, and foundations that contributed $250+ to our efforts in our most recent fiscal year (June 1, 2023-May 31, 2024).

$999-$250

Aaron Miller Realty

Abenaa Brewster and Dr Robert Satcher, Jr

Agatha and Gus Brann

Alexandra Callan

Allison Chavez

Allison Connally

Anne and Les Csorba

Anne Caroline Fant

Anne-lise and Ryan Fishman

Ashley Horstman

Barbara Clark

Becky Gorham

Bernadett and Scott Peak

Burke Butler

Caroline Stickell

The Willard and Ruth Johnson Charitable Foundation

Tommy Inglesby and Rebecca Seidl-Inglesby

$1,000-$4,999

Adam Carlis

Adriana and Eduardo Nunez

Aig Inc.

Anna Charlton

Barbara Jenkins Gibbs

Caitlin and Ryan Pickard

Calpine Corporation

Cathy and Joe Cleary

Celestine Vettical

Deborah Cannon

Emily and David Sheeren

Evans Family Giving Fund

Harry S and Isabel C Cameron Foundation

Jeffrey and Margaret Tucker

Kate and Malcolm Hawk

Kathleen and Robert L Clarke

Kathryn and Richard Rabinow

Kristen Harrison-Habich and Bob Weylandt

Liz and Steve Bender

Mark Ware

Michael Cancienne

Miguel Bolio

Morgan and Christopher Hollins

Mr and Mrs Scott A Griffiths

Mr Suhail A Sikhtian

Nancy Manderson

Nicole Soussan

Paula and Reginald DesRoches

R Hewitt Pate

Robert H Blocker

Robin and Lela Gibbs

Sandy and Chris Domingo

Sue and Ron Pogge

Susan and Barrett Reasoner

Suzanne and Robert Nimocks

Sylvanus Polky

Tiffany and Paul Needham

Toby Reiff

Cathryn and Doug Selman

Charlie Schwartzel

Christine Markham

Clare and Jim Doyle

Doreen and Jon P Fjeld-Hansen

Elizabeth H Crowell

Elizabeth John

Erica and Mark DiBella

James Hernandez

Jason and Priya James

Jennifer Del Tatto

Jenny and Jim Elkins Family Fund

Jill L Hoogendyk

Julia Guez and Elizabeth Ballard

Julie and Logan Browning

Karol and Daniel Musher

Kasia and David McCormick

Kate DeLoache

Lenox and John Reed

Lori Geiger

Louie Layrisson

Mary Beth Gracy

Mary Kay Casey

Matthew Winger

Megan Joseph

Michele and Brian Herod

Mr & Mrs Derek Hollingsworth

Mr & Mrs William Gregory

Mrs. Nancy P. Thompson

Ms Tarah Burris

Nikki and Alex Kamkar

Patrick Callahan

Phoebe and Bobby Tudor

Prathap Joseph

Ryan Malphurs

Selma and Kyle Lawrence

Sharon Chen

Sherene Flemmings

Shibani Shinde Patil

Susan K. Sclafani

Tatianna Yale

Walter A Baker

Whitney Hill

Yini and Dane Collette

We hope you enjoy this yearbook which reflects the remarkable progress we’ve made together. Each milestone we’ve reached this year is a testament to the collective commitment we share to ensure every child across Houston has access to an excellent education, regardless of their zip code or background.

We, the board chairs of TFA Houston, have chosen to dedicate our time to TFA and its mission because we strongly believe that education is the linchpin of all our efforts towards progress and growth in the region. Houston is a unique place, rich in culture and potential. It is also a city that faces significant challenges, especially in education. Yet, when we look at the progress we’ve made over the past year, we are filled with immense pride. We are not just addressing those challenges; we are reshaping the narrative for what is possible for our students. This is because of you our supporters, donors, educators, and community partners who continue to invest in the future of our children.

The strength of our community is our greatest asset. It is the force that drives us forward and fuels the dreams of the next generation. As we continue this journey, we are confident that, together, we will continue to empower our students to achieve great things.

On behalf of the Teach For America Houston Boardthank you for your partnership, your investment in us, and your belief in the future we are building together. We look forward to all we will accomplish in the year to come, together.

In partnership,

Ben Samuels & Farid Virani

Regional Advisory Board Chairs

Teach For America Houston

BenSamuels BoardCo-Chair Director,SamuelsFamilyFoundation CommunityLeader FormerCEO,VictoryPackaging

FaridVirani

BoardCo-Chair Founder&CEO PrimeCommunications

JosephineSmith FoundingBoardChair CommunityLeader,FormerEducator

SachaAbinader ManagingDirector,Accenture

AndreaAlexander SeniorVicePresidentandChiefHuman ResourcesOffice,Coterra

DeborahCannon FormerPresident&CEO,HoustonZoo

GreggCosta Partner,Co-ChairoftheGlobalTrialPracticeGroup Gibson,Dunn,&Crutcher,LLP

PaulaDesRoches HealthcareConsultantandNursePractitioner, HoustonMethodist Associate,RiceUniversity

JamesHernandez OfCounsel,GreenbergTraurig,LLP

TommyInglesby ManagingDirector,Accenture

ChrisJohnson ManagingMember,Johnson&Lindley,LLC

CaitlinPickard VicePresident,InvestmentManagementDivision, GoldmanSachs&Co.

ColinPogge Shareholder,Daly&Black

Dr.RobertSatcher FacultyPhysician, MDAndersonCancerCenter

DougSelman CommunityLeader FormerVicePresident,ResearchandDevelopment ExxonMobilChemicalCompany

LoriSherman FormerPresident,SunCoastResources,Inc

recruit, develop, and empower corps members and alumni who are driving lasting change in public education across our community. As we look towards the next year, we remain focused on attracting top talent to our region while deepening our support for a growing alumni network that is dedicated to expanding opportunities for all students in our city.

We can do more together than we could ever do alone. We are deeply grateful for your continued partnership in our essential work!

www.teachforamerica.org/houston

www.instagram.com/tfahouston www.facebook.com/tfahouston

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.