Teach For America Dallas Fort-Worth: 2023-2024 Yearbook

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2023-2024 Yearbook

I am thrilled to present Teach For America Dallas-Fort Worth's version of a 2023-2024 Yearbook. Yearbooks have always been a cherished reminder of the connections and moments that shaped a school year. For me, they captured the joy of reflecting on a chapter filled with growth and memories. As you explore the pages of our “yearbook,” I hope you feel pride and excitement, knowing that your support was instrumental in our success this year. If you’re reading this, your championship played a vital role in ensuring Teach For America DFW continues to thrive and make a meaningful impact on our network of corps members, Ignite tutors, alumni, and ultimately, the students they serve.

Within these pages, you’ll find stories and data that showcase the extraordinary progress we ' ve made not just last year but over the past 15 years in North Texas, thanks to the unwavering dedication of our TFA community. Our greatest achievement continues to be ensuring a highquality education for students in under-resourced schools. With the strength of our team last school year — over 130 corps members and a growing 1,450+ alumni in the region—Teach For America is making real change happen.

In Dallas-Fort Worth, our bold goal is to double the number of students in our Community Impact Zones who graduate from high school career, college, or military ready by 2030. To meet this ambitious goal, we’re recruiting top-tier talent, supporting alumni who continue to lead in education and mission-aligned work, and offsetting pandemic-era learning loss through our Ignite tutoring program.

The collective power of this community is what fuels our progress and sets our students on a path of endless possibility. North Texas is stronger because of your investment in public education, and I’m deeply humbled by your passion for and commitment to creating a vibrant metroplex filled with possibility. I invite you to continue supporting and celebrating with us as we shape the future, together.

With immense gratitude,

By 2030, twice as many students in our Dallas-Fort Worth Community Impact Zones will achieve college and career readiness, indicating that they are on a path to economic mobility and a future filled with possibility.

Deepen relationships with non-profit leaders, principals, district leaders, and alumni, who are working to increase CCMR outcomes

At Teach For America Dallas-Fort Worth, our Community Impact Zones were chosen based on:

A High Alumni Presence: Significant concentration of Teach For America alumni working within designated Community Impact Zones

Opportunity for Increased Collaboration: Targeted educator placement enables more system-wide collaboration, support, and mission-aligned partnerships

Strategic Talent Placement: A focus on our existing corps member presence and urgent educational needs

Communities of Need: Impact Zone schools educate predominantly underserved students; 98% identify as BIPOC and 91% are economically disadvantaged, compared to the 62% state average

Teach For America Dallas-Fort Worth is a force of over 1,600 leaders, affectionately referred to as DFW Ducks, committed to changing outcomes for students through teaching, leading, and advocating throughout the metroplex.

We train mission-driven leaders from every academic major, occupation, and background to illuminate every learner. Our corps members, alumni, and Ignite Fellows (tutors) commit to creating opportunities for the next generation of students so all children can lead, learn, and contribute to a thriving North Texas.

2023-2024 Corps Members

12,500

132 of Corps Members Who Taught STEM 45% From Underrepresented Backgrounds 86% Students Taught by Corps Members

Ignite Fellows (Tutors) 42 Students Taught by Ignite Fellows 80 of partner schools reported student academic growth 100%

ch For America Dallas-Fort Worth, our corps rs go on to become changemakers in many fields local and national levels, and it all begins with their nce in the classroom.

members’ experiences inside and outside of the om greatly influence their experience of TFA, which we prioritize wraparound supports and services. hout the year, corps members enjoy social events, ongoing professional development, and have the unity to expand their networks through engaging ders across North Texas

As a first-generation, low-income student, I was fortunate to have been taught by Teach For America educators who profoundly impacted my life. They weren’t just teachers they were mentors who guided me academically, socially, and emotionally. Their dedication gave me the confidence to navigate the world, and I knew I wanted to give that same hope and support to other students. That’s why I applied to Teach For America—to pay it forward and inspire students the way my teachers had inspired me.

One of the most surprising lessons I’ve learned as a classroom leader is the importance of patience. My students come from diverse backgrounds and learn at different paces. While I’ve seen some students progress rapidly, others take their time, which has taught me to appreciate even the smallest victories. The students have shown me the value of grace and the importance of meeting each individual where they are, without rushing the process.

If I could change one thing, it would be to help my students understand that their backgrounds don’t define them. I want them to see that their potential is limitless. As a teacher, I’m committed to ensuring that all students receive the support they need to grow and reach their dreams.

One special moment for me was coaching the school soccer team during my first year. Seeing students from all grades greet me in the halls, even those I didn’t teach, made our large school feel like a close-knit family. It reminded me that teaching is about more than academics—it’s about community and connection.

TFA

5th Grade Literacy & Social

T.A. Sims Elementary School, Fort Worth ISD

The support of our corps members goes beyond the classroom.

Community supporters like you provided spaces to connect over a good meal, appreciation gifts, and classroom supplies. Thank you!

...be awarded 2023 Humanities Texas Award for Outstanding Early-Career Teaching

...have allher students passtheir STAAR exam ...partner withLEGOEducation to bring Algebra to life through LEGORobots

...be a Teacher of the Year Finalist

...be featured for her advocacy of neurodivergent teachers

a Principal of the Year

& a Master Principal in Dallas

KatyRoberson(‘21)
AmandaMcAuliffe(‘22)
CamHedden(‘21)& JoeJenkins(’13)
Nehemie Dorce ('14)
Meghan Beauchamp('23)
Margaret Huff (‘12)

Our Ignite Fellowship Program (Ignite) is a tutoring corps designed to expand upon the support we offer North Texas students. Launched in the spring of 2024, Ignite ensures students are equipped to meet critical reading and math milestones through high-impact tutoring that accelerates learning and fosters belonging with students and schools through customized small group learning.

Aligned with our 2030 goal, our tutors supported students in 3rd grade reading and 8th math as research shows proficiency in these areas are critical predictors of post-secondary attain

additional hours of learning students received in the ‘23-’24 school year

Our Goals:

To bridge gaps in rea math learning, both ke determinants of succ secondary education economic mobility

To foster student belonging, which translates to an increased likelihood of high school graduation

To engage early-career college students and develop their educational equity mindsets

Schoo in partnersh

The School Leadership Learning Lab (SLLL) aims to prepare TFA’s high-potential education leaders to assume mid to senior-level district roles within two years of completing the program.

On Tuesday, February 27th, hundreds of education leaders and supporters convened to discuss the future of education in North Texas. The event was opened by public education champion, Former First Lady Mrs. Laura Bush, followed by an esteemed panel of education leaders: Dr. Stephanie Elizalde (Superintendent of Dallas ISD), Bibi Yasmin Katsev (Executive Director of Teach For America Dallas-Fort Worth), Todd Williams (CEO of The Commit Partnership), and Wyatt Smith (Founder & CEO of UpSmith & 2011 TFA Alabama alumus).

The panel discussion, moderated by Anne Wicks of the George W. Bush Institute, focused on sharing insights, experiences, and a collective vision for improving educational outcomes in the region. Attendees heard about the progress made, challenges faced, and opportunities ahead.

Teach For America Dallas-Fort Worth highlighted its mission of identifying exceptional leaders, matching them with schools, and developing their leadership skills to positively impact student learning.

$100,000+

Amon G Carter Foundation

Commit

Dallas Independent School District

David B. Miller Family Foundation

Fort Worth Independent School District

Harold Simmons Foundation

H-E-B (multi-region support)

Monica and Leland White

OneStar Foundation

Pat and Dan Wright

Rainwater Charitable Foundation

Sid W. Richardson Foundation

Texas Education Agency

Texas Instruments Foundation

The Addy Foundation

The Eugene McDermott Foundation

The Hirsch Family Foundation

The Kleinheinz Family Foundation

The Meadows Foundation (multi-region support)

Uplift Education

$10,000-$24,999

Beth and J Puckett

Beverly and Don Freeman

Dawne and Pat Tribolet

KIPP:DFW

Libby and Murray McCabe

Lindsay and George Billingsley

Nancy and Steve Rogers

R4 Foundation

Schimberg Memorial Fund

Stacey and Reid Walker

Barbara and Steven Durham

$25,000 - $99,999

Ann and Lee Hobson

Anne and Robert Raymond

Catherine and Will Rose

Teach For America Dallas-Fort Worth 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).

Billie and Gillis Thomas Family Foundation

CFP Foundation

Chris and Joe Popolo

Hillcrest Foundation

Hoblitzelle Foundation

Jerry Freeman, Jr

Kathy and Harlan Crow

Lyda Hill Philanthropies and the What Else Do you Need to be Awesome Fund at The Dallas Foundation

M.R. & Evelyn Hudson Foundation

Mary Potishman Lard Trust

Mike A. Myers

Piñon Foundation

Richardson Independent School District

The Baldridge Foundation

The Hersh Foundation

The Hoglund Foundation

The Lowe Foundation

The Moody Foundation

The Morris Foundation

Thomas M , Helen McKee, and John P Ryan Foundation

Todd A. Williams Family Foundation

TurningPoint Foundation

W P and Bulah Luse Foundation

Wendy and Bill Payne

$5,000-$9,999

Carrie and Steve Becker

Jim and Mary Ann Harris

Joyce and Mike Ernst

Karen and Richard Pollock

Katie and Kyle Oudt

Ken and Carolyn Barth

Kenji Hashimoto and Dana Starner

Marguerite Hoffman and Tom Lentz

The Edward W Rose III Family Fund of The Dallas Foundation

The Howard Earl Rachofsky Foundation

The Rocchio Family Foundation

Virginia Fain and Haydn Cutler

$1,000-$4,999

Amy and Les Ware

Anna Westfall

Ayco Charitable Foundation

Betsy and Richard Eiseman

Bibi Yasmin and Roman Katsev

Catherine and Sam Susser

Communities Foundation of Texas

Dr Elizabeth Anne Small and Stanley M Herrin

Gwyn and Wilson Mason

$1,000-$4,999

IDEA Public Schools Tarrant County

Jaggers Family Fund at The Dallas Foundation

Jane and Patrick Hamner

Jennifer and Jon Mosle

Kelsey and Heather Bridgewater Clark

Laura Mitchell

Lucy and Henry Billingsley

Nicolette and Miles Lamont

Pilar and Jay Henry

Richard Kevin Hardage Family Fund

Robin and Jim Carreker

Stephanie Knight

Susan and Bill Montgomery

The Enrico Foundation

The Honorable Daniel and Stacey Branch

Trey Chadwell

William Srinivasan

$999-$250

Alayna Schoblaske

Bunny and Harold Ginsburg

Byron Carlock and Clint Nicholson

Christine McClary

Community Impact Fund of The Dallas Foundation

Elizabeth Brown and Kevin Courtney

Garry and Margaret Schoonover

Heather and Ray Balestri

Margaret and Dr Brad Hirsch

Michelle Lobel

Mr & Mrs Norman R Rogers

Mr. John W. Hamm and Mrs. Peggy E. Hamm

Elizabeth Wattley

Katrina James

Nancy and John Snyder Fund of the North Texas Community Foundation

Phyllis and Ronald Steinhart

Regen Horchow

Roopa and Vishnu Reddy

Stephanie Aughinbaugh

Kathy Crow Board Chair Civic Leader

Lydia Addy

Co-founder & Vice President, The Addy Foundation Community Volunteer

Flauren Bender Civic Leader

Honorable Dan Branch

Attorney & Shareholder, Winstead PC

Kelsey Bridgewater Clark

Managing Director & Partner, Boston Consulting Group

Kenji Hashimoto

Portfolio Company Chief Financial Officer, Global Infrastructure Partners

Lindsay Billingsley Board Vice-Chair Founder, LAB Strategies

Dean Stephanie Knight Dean of Simmons School, Southern Methodist University

Libby McCabe Civic Leader

Frances Mitchell Board Member, The Compass School of Texas,

Bill Payne President, Druid Hills Capital, LLC

Karen Pollock Civic Leader

Margaret Hirsch

Immediate Past Board Chair President, Hirsch Family Foundation

Anne Raymond Board of Directors, Crow Holdings

Jarrad Toussant Senior Vice President, Dallas Regional Chamber

Dawne Tribolet Civic Leader

Elizabeth Wattley President & CEO, Forest Forward

Bridget Worley

Chief State Impact Officer, The Commit Partnership

Thank you for making the 2023-2024 school year one to remember! Your support of Teach For America Dallas-Fort Worth has been instrumental in our ability to 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 alone - and we are grateful for your continued partnership in our essential work!

www.teachforamerica.org/dallas-fort-worth

www.instagram.com/tfadfw

www.linkedin.com/company/teach-for-america-dallas-fort-worth

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