2024-2025 Yearbook
It is with deep gratitude and excitement that I share Teach For America Memphis’s 2024–2025 Yearbook a celebration of the incredible 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 the driving force behind every success we’ve achieved.
Because of your partnership, nearly 70 corps members and over 700 alumni are teaching, leading, and advocating for students across Memphis. Together, we’re advancing our bold 2030 goal: to double the number of students in Memphis and Shelby County who meet critical academic benchmarks in 3rd-grade reading and 8th-grade math.
This year, we’ve continued to recruit exceptional talent, support alumni leading in education and mission-aligned roles and expand the Ignite Fellowship helping close pandemic-related learning gaps through high-impact tutoring.
Your investment doesn’t just change lives today it shapes what’s possible for generations to come. The collective strength of this community fuels our mission and ensures students in under-resourced schools have access to the education and opportunities they deserve.
Thank you for believing in our work and in the limitless potential of every child. I’m inspired by what we’ve accomplished together—and even more excited about the future we’re building side by side.
Here’s to never giving up on kids,
Chris Coleman Executive Director Teach For America Memphis
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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.
Build on school day learning with high-dosage tutoring
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In Memphis, more than 800 Teach For America leaders are driving change for students—whether in classrooms, in education adjacent careers, or in the community.
We recruit and prepare mission-driven individuals from all academic disciplines, professions, and backgrounds and equip them with the skills to inspire and empower every student they serve. Our Corps Members, Alum work hand-in-han ensuring all childre chance to le
Corps Members, Alumni, and Ignite Fellows
CORPS M
66
2024-2025
Corps Members
4,700
Students Taught by Corps Members
IGNITE FELLOWSHIP
Ignite Fellows (Tutors)
Growing up on Georgia's Coastal Barrier Islands, Zhané always knew she wanted to be an educator. After attending Wake Forest University, she joined Teach For America and chose Memphis as her placement drawn by the city's rich history, vibrant music scene, and cultural depth that resonated with her passion as a classical violinist.
From day one at Bluff City High School, Zhané felt an instant connection. "This is not about me; this is about the students," she says, describing her approach to teaching. She continuously sought feedback from students, colleagues, and administrators, refining her practice with each lesson.
Her dedication paid off quickly. In just her first semester, Zhané was named Bluff City High School's Teacher of the Month for December 2023, and by year ' s end, she had earned Teacher of the Year honors. She enhanced student performance by 20% through culturally responsive English Language Arts curriculum and differentiated instruction tailored to neurodivergent learners, English Second Language learners, and students at various reading proficiencies.
After completing her Teach For America commitment, Zhané was accepted into Duke University's Master of Public Policy program in Durham, North Carolina. She sees policy work as the next chapter in her commitment to educational excellence and the vision of One Day.
Beyond the classroom, Zhané brings 15 years of training as a classical violinist. She serves as a private violin instructor and previously taught beginning and intermediate instrumental ensembles with the Winston-Salem Symphony (2021-2023), integrating musical and social-emotional learning with reading literacy. In 2023, she was honored as Concertmistress of the Wake Forest Symphony Orchestra.
Zhané Waye
TFA Memphis ‘23
Wake Forest University Graduate
9th Grade English, Bluff City High School
Teach Scho
Amber Huett-Garcia, a 2011 Teach For America Memphis alumna, now serves as a school board member for Memphis-Shelby County Schools, representing District 8. Throughout her career, she has dedicated herself to public service and systemic change in education.
Her journey began in the classroom and expanded to state-level impact, managing over $13 billion in K-12 funds through health, policy, and budget roles in Illinois. She has worked across every level of education, from classroom teacher to more than seven years on TFA Memphis staff, serving as a policy advisor in Shelby County’s Office of Education, and directing non-academic support strategy for one million K-12 students at the Tennessee Department of Education. This experience led her to launch a consulting business focused on nonprofit capacity building and performance management.
Amber works with Seeding Success to advance social and economic mobility in Shelby County and serves as primary performance manager for United Way of the MidSouth’s Driving the Dream grant. She also supports the funding and implementation of the More for Memphis plan. Beyond education, Amber is a passionate advocate for obesity care, serving on the World Obesity Federation Board and formerly chairing the Obesity Action Coalition.
Amber Huett-Garcia
TFA Memphis ‘11
Leading Systems Change from Classroom to Boardroom
$250,000+
Anonymous
Crews Family Foundation
Tennessee Department of Education
The Hyde Family Foundation
$25,000 - $99,999
Aurora Collegiate Academy
Fleetwood Foundation Inc.
Gestalt Community Schools
Memphis RISE Academy Schools
Memphis Sch Of Excellence-Mendenhall
Memphis-Shelby County Schools
$5,000-$9,999
Promise Academy Network
The Children's Foundation of Memphis
Volunteer Tennessee
$10,000 - $24,999
Believe Memphis Academy
Compass Community Schools
Henry Turley
Hohenberg Foundation
Iota Community Schools
Jeanne and Frank Jemison
Leadership Preparatory
The Kemmons Wilson Family Foundation
Teach For America Memphis is deeply grateful for the support of the following individuals, corporations, and foundations that contributed to our efforts in our most recent fiscal year (June 1, 2024-May 31, 2025).
Ashley and John Remmers
Beacon College Prep
Commercial Advisors Asset Services, LLC
Dianne Papasan
Fred and Helen Norman
Mr. and Mrs. Bill and Crissy Haslam
Ripple
Snow and Henry Morgan
$1,000-$4,999 Up to $999
Amy Shelton-Little
City Leadership
Community Foundation of Greater Memphis
Francis Maloney
Glen and Sherry Herald
Hadley Miller
Kathryn and Jim Gilliland
Kimberly Marsh
Mary and Robert Loeb
Mike and Willie Wood
Simmons First Bank
Susan and Henry Guy
Tate and Webb Wilson
Thaddeus and Stephanie Rodda
Addison Combs
Amber Huett-Garcia
Anjelica Hardin Hall
Anonymous
Ashanta Evans Blackwell
Ashley Thomas
Binh Doan
Christopher Coleman
Chuck Thomas
Jamesha Hayes
Jana Combs
Jean Phebus
John Kelly
Kori Hamner
Kroger
Margaret Walker Clair
Mary McDonald
Moira Kelly
Mr. and Mrs. Russell Church
Patrick Maloney
Peter Tang
Shantella and Charlie Reese
As I reflect on the past year at Teach For America Memphis, I am 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 chair, I witness firsthand how the dedication of supporters like you fuels real change in classrooms and neighborhoods. Memphis 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 Your trust and support are the foundation of ahead, and we are excited to continue brea ground alongside you. Together, we are shaping outcomes—we are shaping the Memphis.
In partnership,
Dr. Mary McDonald Regional Advisory Board Chair TFA Memphis
Board Chair Founder and President, MCD Partners
Dr.MaryMcDonald
DirectorofPeople&Cu St.JudeResearchHosp
ChiefInvestmentOfficer, PittcoManagementLLC
MonicaJones EVP,CommercialCredit Executive, FirstHorizonBank
VP-SBABanker, RegionsBank
Director of Programs, Leadership Memphis
HenryGuy
HumanResourcesDirector, InternationalPaper
AnjelicaHardin-Hall
AmySheltonLittle
ArtRichey,JD
BeverlyC.Robertson
Breunna Lovett
Board Vice Chair Director of Strategic Initiatives, Cushman & Wakefield
ChiefGovernmentExternal RelationsOfficer, SouthwestTennesseeCommunity College
Charlie“Chuck”ThomasIII
Co-Founder&COO TrustMarketing JackVuylst SeniorDirectorofPartnerships, TeachLikeaChampionTeam
TimWare tor, sPrep ol
Thank you to these individuals who choose to give their time and energy to furthering our vision: One day, all children will have the opportunity to attain an excellent education.
Emily Chambers
Memphis 2018 Immigration Attorney Latino Memphis Binh Doan
Memphis 2014 Director of Finance & Strategy Memphis Education Fund
Kristle Hodges Johnson
Memphis 2010 Executive Director University High School
Memphis 2018 Alumni Director Choose901
Memphis 2017 Librarian Germantown Elementary School Meredith Sm
Memphis 2006 Attorney
Thank you to our Teach For America alumni who continue to give their time, energy, and leadership to advancing our shared vision.
Rachel O
TimRollins
Thank you for making the 2024–2025 school year extraordinary! Your partnership with Teach For America Memphis has been essential to recruiting, developing, and empowering the corps members and alumni who are driving meaningful, lasting change in public education across our community.
As we move into the year ahead, we are committed to bringing exceptional talent to Memphis classrooms and strengthening our support for a growing alumni network that is expanding opportunities for every student in our city.
Together, we can achieve more than any of us could alone—and we are deeply grateful for your continued trust, investment, and belief in this mission.
