2024-2025 YEARBOOK
Hello,
It is with deep gratitude and excitement that I share Teach For America Houston’s 2024–2025 Yearbook a celebration of the impact you have helped make possible. Much like a school yearbook, these pages capture the people, stories, and milestones that defined this year. As you read them, I hope you feel immense pride knowing that your generosity has been a driving force behind every success we’ve achieved.
Because of you, more than 250 corps members and over 1,900 alumni were teaching, leading, and advocating for students across our community. Together, we are working toward our bold 2030 goal: to double the number of students in our impact districts who meet critical academic benchmarks in 3rd-grade reading and 8th-grade math.
As we step into Teach For America Houston’s 35th year, I am humbled by the progress we have made together and energized by the work still ahead. Your partnership has shaped what’s possible for hundreds of thousands of students over the past three and a half decades, and it will continue to light the path forward for generations to come.
Thank you for believing in our work and in the limitless potential of every child. I am inspired by all that we have accomplished together and even more excited about the bold future we are building as we enter this milestone year.
Yours in the movement,
Tiffany Cuellar Needham (Houston Corps 2003) Executive Director Teach For America Houston
ABOUT US
Our Vision
One day, all children will have the opportunity to attain an excellent education.
Our Mission
Teach For America finds, develops and supports extraordinary leaders to transform education and expand opportunity for all children.
Our Approach
1 TFA Houston floods the zone with exceptional, action-oriented leaders - tutors, corps members, & alumni.
2 TFA Houston provides the ecosystem of support necessary to produce positive student outcomes.
3 TFA contributes to community-level systems change across Houston.
2030GOAL OUR
By 2030, twice as many children across Houston reach key educational milestones in 3 grade reading and 8 grade math, indicating they are on a path to economic mobility and a future filled with possibility.
Meets or Exceeds Standard on 3rd Grade Reading STAAR
Meets or Exceeds Standard on 8th Grade Math STAAR
A critical marker in a child’s educational development, with failure to read proficiently is linked to not completing high school and a related decrease in future workforce opportunities. *
*AnnieE CaseyFoundation
Data shows that students who complete Algebra 1 in 8th grade are more likely to complete four years of collegealigned math in high school, increasing their success in postsecondary degree and credential programs.
*Nationa CenterforEducationalStatistcs
Theseareaswerecarefullychosenbecausesuccessinthesesubjectsisstronglylinkedtoachild’sfutureacademicandlifeoutcomes
Our Progress
TFA Houston is proud to partner with each of our districts, where the collective impact of our corps members and alumni has fueled measurable academic gains. While the work ahead remains critical, the progress achieved this past school year underscores the power and potential of our network. More students met grade-level standards than ever before.
* Comparedto2020Data
2030 Goal Reached
Aldine ISD and BakerRipley have already doubled the number of students in 3rd grade reading who meet grade level standards
Reading performance is at an all-time high. Aldine ISD led the region in reading growth (7% increase)
Houston ISD, KIPP Houston, and YES Prep posted the strongest math gains (5% increase)
Houston ISD and IDEA Public Schools of Greater Houston have already doubled the number of 8th grade math students who meet grade level standards
ACCELERATE IMPACT TFA LEADERS
TFA teachers who teach beyond two years improve twice as fast as non-TFA teachers in their first five years.
TFA-led classrooms match or outperform non-TFA classrooms on the STAAR exam.
60% of TFA teachers stay in the classroom for three or more years, compared to just 45% of non-certified teachers in similar school environments.
TFA corps members and alumni are making a consistent and significant impact on student learning across the country, no matter the region, subject area, or grade level.
Schools led by TFA alumni principals serve more economically disadvantaged students (83% vs. 64% statewide) yet outperform peer campuses (66% A/B ratings vs. 54% statewide).
TFA teachers help students gain ~23 extra days of learning each school year.
Our Corps
2024-2025 Corps Members 252
Our Alumni
1,930
Alumni Across Houston
5
StudentsTaughtbyourCorps MembersandAlumniEachDay
StudentsImpactedbyAlumniLeaders LeadingOrganizationsandSchoolSystems
of Cor Taught
31,000+
~80,000
EXPERIENCE THE CORPS
At Teach For America Houston, many of our corps members go on to become changemakers across a wide range of fields—both locally and nationally—and it all starts with their time in the classroom.
Their experience as a corps member is fundamental and shapes their journey. That’s why we prioritize comprehensive supports and services that help them thrive. Throughout the year, corps members participate in engaging social events, access professional development tailored to their interests, and connect with education leaders from across Houston.
98%
of CMs report that they are effectively contributing to the effort to ensure that all children have the opportunity to attain an excellent education.
96%
of CMs are committed to working, now, and in the future, to ensure that all children have the opportunity to attain an excellent education
96%
of CMs feel like they are growing in the capabilities they need to play a valuable role in the movement to ensure that all children have the opportunity to attain an excellent education.
94%
of CMs feel that by joining TFA, they are part of a broader coalition pursuing excellent education and opportunity for all students.
LEADERSHIP ALUMNI
Driven by their classroom experience, many Teach For America alumni choose to continue teaching in high-need schools beyond their two-year commitment or step into leadership roles at every level within local school districts and charter systems. Others take on influential positions in sectors dedicated to dismantling inequities and advancing positive change for children and communities. No matter the path, our alumni share a lifelong commitment to expanding access and opportunity for all students.
TFA Elected Officials
Shaping Policy Across Houston
Our Alumni are Leaders in Our Community Superintendents of:
20+ local education nonprofits founded, including:
The Ignite Fellowship is a tutoring corps designed to expand the support we provide to students across Houston.
Since its re-launch in Houston, Ignite has helped 5 and 6 grade students make significant progress in math through personalized, high-impact tutoring. Fellows build strong relationships that accelerate learning and nurture a deeper sense of belonging in the classroom.
ÉtoileBissonnet
OnAverage ExpectedGrowth for5 Grade MathStudents th 5x
AverageIncrease ScaleScorefor Students Increased 22%+
100%
th th of students felt their Ignite tutor taught them in a way they personally learned best!
ÉtoileHornwood
OnAverage ExpectedGrowth for6 Grade th MathStudents 3.4x
AverageIncrease ScaleScorefor Students Increased 10%+
of Fellows (tutors) said they felt supported and satisfied with being a part of the Ignite Fellowship Program and believed they had a positive impact on students. 94%
OUR DISTRICT PARTNERS
RECOGNIZING LEADERS
Teach For America Houston proudly partnered with Dr. Asha and Farid Virani to present the inaugural Virani Distinguished School Leader Award, honoring exceptional TFA alumni principals who advance educational excellence and lead with courage, compassion, and impact.
At a heartfelt ceremony in October 2024, the Viranis recognized Kaleena Coleman, Founding Principal of KIPP Unity Primary, and Cynovia Hall, Founding Principal of YES Prep Airline Elementary, for their transformative leadership and unwavering commitment to Houston’s students.
These visionary leaders exemplify the power of belief and perseverance in shaping brighter futures for children across our city. Teach For America Houston is deeply grateful to the Virani family for their enduring partnership and investment in our educators and schools.
Our third annual Ignite Potential Luncheon, chaired by Lori Sherman and Deborah Cannon (TFA board members), was a powerful celebration of community, impact, and possibility. This year’s event brought together our most dedicated partners and supporters to reflect on the progress we’ve made and the future we are building for students across Houston.
We were honored to recognize Cathryn and Doug Selman for their contributions to education and inspired by the keynote address from Ann B. Stern, President & CEO of Houston Endowment, whose message underscored the transformative power of education and the role we all play in expanding opportunity for students. Their words, woven with personal stories and shared purpose, left the room energized and committed to the work ahead.
Thanks to the generosity of our community, more than 300 attendees helped us raise over $547,000 to advance Teach For America Houston’s mission. The luncheon was a reminder that when we come together— with passion, vision, and unwavering commitment we can ignite potential in every child and shape a brighter future for our city.
ExxonMobil
H-E-B (multi-region support)
Houston Endowment
OUR SUPPORTERS
Kinder Foundation
OneStar Foundation
Samuels Family Foundation
AliceHarcrow
AliciaandShawnL.Raymond
AnnaandFredCharlton
AnneandAlbertChao
AnnieandBobGraham
BarbaraBurger
CarlaKnobloch
Jill and Dunham Jewett
Jim and Pam Harris
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, 2024-May 31, 2025).
Johanne Gatto
Joy Horak-Brown
Karen and Doug Reifel
Karen and Larry George
Kallie Gallagher
Kate DeLoache
Texas Education Agency
$100,000+
The Brown Foundation
The Cullen Foundation
AshaandFaridVirani
CTBauerFoundation
CathrynandDougSelman
CFPFoundation
ConocoPhillips
EOGResources
HoustonLivestockShowandRodeo
$25,000 - $99,999
JSquaredFamilyFoundation
JanetF.Clark
JohnPMcGovernFoundation
MarciRosenbergandBenSamuels
MDAndersonFoundation
RockwellFund
SarahandDougFoshee
TheClaytonFund
TheElkinsFoundation
TheRobertandJaniceMcNairFoundation
VivianLSmithFoundation
AdrianaandEduardoNunez
BarbaraandLouisSklar
ChinhuiandEdwardRAllen,III
CynthiaandBenGuill
GeorgeandMaryJosephineHammanFoundation
GoldmanSachs&Co
$10,000-$24,999
GRITSFoundation
HarveyRHouckJrandPatriciaWHouck FoundationInc
JenniferandGreggCosta
JeriandMarcShapiro
LisaandWillMathis
LoriandRobertSherman
LynnandJohnElsenhans
PatriciaDolanMullen
Posey-GlickertFoundation
RobertZinn
SangitaandColinPogge
TheHevrdejsFoundation
TheTapeatsFund
ZinnPetroleumCompany
$5,000-$9,999
CarolandPJohnBurkeJr
CordellHaymon
DeborahCannon
DianaStrassmannandJefferySmisek
FirstHorizonBank
GoodReasonHouston
JennyandChrisJohnson
JosephineandRichardSmith
KathleenandRobertLClarke
KathyandBrianReid
KathyandMartynGoossen
LinnetDeily
MacondaandSachaAbinader
MollyandJimCrownover
NancyMcGregorandNealManne
PaulaandReginaldDesRoches
PerryHomes
ReginaRogers
ReidWhitaker
RiceUniversity
RobertWKnoxSrandPearlWallisKnox CharitableFoundation
SarahandJeffMcParland
SuzanneandRobertNimocks
TheCyviaandMelvynWolffFamilyFoundation
TheMendelsohnFamilyFund
TheWillardandRuthJohnsonCharitable Foundation
Albert and Elizabeth Kidd
Ann Kennedy and Geoffrey Walker
Anne Furse
Barbara and Jonathan Day
Betty and Stephen Newton
Beverly and Jim Postl
Brett Mossman
$1,000-$4,999
Caitlin and Ryan Pickard
Cathy Chapman
Cece and Mack Fowler
Clare and Jim Doyle
Connie and Scott Funk
Doreen Stoller
Dr Robert Satcher, Jr
Eric Pulaski
Kate and Malcolm Hawk
$1,000-$4,999
Kathryn and Richard Rabinow
Kristen Harrison-Habich
Leslie and Jack Blanton, Jr
Lisa and Peter Gagnon
Lois and George Stark
Louise Wiggins Rios
Margaret and Jeffrey Tucker
Monica Fulton
Morgan and Christopher Hollins
Nancy Manderson
Nora and Charles Zabriskie
Pamela Campbell
Pamela Gray
Simin and Gaurdie Banister
Susan and Barrett Reasoner
Sylvanus Polky
Tiffany and Paul Needham
Vicki and Bob Harvey
Virginia and Richard Mithoff
Y. Ping Sun and David Leebron
Zachary Langevin
Karen Twitchell and Kirk Heyne
Katherine Johnson
Kathleen Martinez
$999-$250 Jennifer Day
Kathryn Browning
Kent Lucas
Laura and John Chapman
Lenox Reed
Linda Walls
Lydia Millhorn
Margrit Young-Zellweger
Martiel Luther
Maryam Ghaffar
Maryam Tabatabai
Melanie Trent
Meredith and Charles Van Dyke
Meredith and Ralph Stone
Michele Yekovich
Mikelle Wortman
Molly Bagshaw
Nancy P Thompson
Natalie Basham
Parth Gejji
Paula Cuccaro
Peggie Kohnert
Rebecca Seidl Inglesby and Tommy Inglesby
Rebekah and Hugh Guill
Ryan and Kimberly Dolibois
Sharon and Mark Wise
Susan K Sclafani
Tarah Burris
Amy and Michael Walton
Anita and Robert Glickert
Anne Adams
Anne Neeson
Bê and John Petrosky
$999-$250 Adam Carlis
Becky Gorham C'Connor
Burke Butler
Cameron Secord
Carol Stryker
Carolyn Campbell
Christian and William Manuel
Dani Sanchez
Denise and Elliott Smith
Elizabeth H Crowell
Emily and David Sheeren
Emily Hoy
Erica and Mark DiBella
Francois Daube
Jacquelyn Rex Tobin
James Browning
James Hernandez
Taylor Chapman
Taylor LeMay
Theodore Franklin
Theresa Young
Valerie Toalson
Vicki Brooks
Virginia A Clark
OUR FINANCIALS
Our Regional Advisory Board 2025-2026
Hello,
As we reflect on the past year at Teach For America Houston, we are filled with gratitude for the incredible community that surrounds this work. This year’s Yearbook is more than just a collection of stories and achievements —it is a celebration of the collective power we have to transform education and open doors for every student across our city.
Serving as board chairs, we witness firsthand how the dedication of supporters like you fuels real change in classrooms and neighborhoods. Houston is a city of opportunity and complexity, and while educational inequities remain, our progress shows that meaningful solutions are within reach when a community comes together with focus and heart.
What stands out most to us is the unwavering commitment that defines our network corps members, alumni, educators, donors, and partners who all share a vision for a future where every child thrives. This shared belief in possibility is what inspires us to keep pushing forward.
Thank you for being an essential part of this journey. Your trust and investment are the foundation of the work ahead, and we are excited to continue breaking new ground alongside you. Together, we are not only shaping outcomes we are shaping the future of Houston.
Ben Samuels & Farid Virani
Regional Advisory Board Co-Chairs Teach For America Houston
BenSamuels
BoardCo-Chair Director,SamuelsFamilyFoundation FormerCEO,VictoryPackaging
JosephineSmith FoundingBoardChair CommunityLeader,FormerEducator
FaridVirani
BoardCo-Chair Founder&CEO PrimeCommunications
SachaAbinader ManagingDirector,Accenture
AndreaAlexander SeniorVicePresidentandChief HumanResourcesOffice,Coterra
DeborahCannon FormerPresident&CEO,HoustonZoo
GreggCosta Partner,Co-Chairofthe GlobalTrialPracticeGroup GibsonDunn
HealthcareConsultantandNursePractitioner, HoustonMethodist Associate,RiceUniversity
ChiefMarketingOfficer, HoustonLivestockShowandRodeo
HeadofPrivateInvestmentTrust, TJGCapital
PartOwnerandFranchisee, FajitaPete’s
TommyInglesby Partner, OliverWyman
ChrisJohnson ManagingMember, Johnson&Lindley,LLC
PaulaDesRo
LisaGagnon
GlenGonzalez
HughGuill
CaitlinPickard VicePresident, InvestmentManagementDivision, GoldmanSachs&Co
ColinPogge Shareholder,Daly&Black
Dr.RobertSatcher FacultyPhysician, MDAndersonCancerCenter
LoriSherman FormerPresident, SunCoastResources,Inc.
Thank you for making the 2024–2025 school year extraordinary! Your partnership has been essential to driving meaningful, lasting change in public education across Houston.
As we prepare to proudly celebrate TFA Houston’s 35th year of impact in the city, we remain focused on bringing top talent to Houston classrooms and supporting our alumni who are working every day to expand opportunities for all students.
could alone and we are deeply grateful for your continued trust,
www.teachforamerica.org/h
www.instagram.com/tfahouston
www.facebook.com/tfahous
ONE DAY, all children will have the opportunity to attain an excellent education.