Teach For America Baltimore

Congratulations to Dr. Joshua Michael (Baltimore ‘10) and TFA Baltimore co-board chair who was unanimously elected as President of MD State Board of Education. Dr. Michael will serve his first term as State Board President with Dr. Monica Goldson as Vice President for the 2024-2025 term. Click the link https://news.maryland.gov/msde/dr-michael-dr-goldson-elected/ to read more.

To make national service an attractive post-graduation option for young Americans, organizations such as AmeriCorps, Teach For America, the Peace Corps and the newly formed American Climate Corps should be well-funded and encouraged. https://wapo.st/3W2WOFT

TFA Baltimore is hiring! The Manager, Special Projects provides critical operational capacity to the Baltimore regional team, maximizing efficiency and accuracy around the region’s critical operations, knowledge management, and strategic priorities.. This position provides a unique opportunity for individuals with superior critical thinking, communication, organizational, and relationship-building skills to play a key role in driving the effectiveness of the region.

Does this sound like you or someone you know? If yes, click or share the link to learn more and apply https://bit.ly/3xCDIhQ

Meet three outstanding educators from our TFA network who help students thrive in the classroom by celebrating their individual needs. In honor of Disability Pride Month, we asked our featured educators: what does Disability Pride mean to you? Swipe to read their answers

We have 50 spots remaining for First Taste of Baltimore! Be sure to click the link https://bit.ly/3Rk09Pj to register today and reserve your spot for the celebration on July 25th! See you there

Juneteenth Spotlight! Join us in honoring the incredible achievements of Black changemakers who have made their mark in education and extended their impact beyond the classroom.

Claudine Miles (Metro Atlanta '08) shares her gratitude for TFA's unwavering support in her entrepreneurial journey with Restore More. “[I was accepted into the] Social Innovation Fellowship, which was a program to help alumni launch education businesses. TFA has continually supported my vision and work over the last 6 years and for that I am eternally grateful, because due to that support I’ve grown my little idea into a successful business that helps educators.”

Alicia Williams (Houston '16) saw a need for student mental health support and turned her vision into reality with Abloom. “Standing in that classroom, I saw firsthand the silent crisis of student mental health. Now, with Abloom, I’m on a mission to revolutionize student mental health support, ensuring every student has the tools to thrive.”

Mario Jovan Shaw (Charlotte '12) was ignited by TFA's mission to address societal inequalities. “Interacting with TFA alumni who had founded social impact organizations motivated me to make my own mark through meaningful work.”

Brandon Martin (Metro Atlanta '14) energized his community to ensure that Black boys in Atlanta can see and reach their full potential. “TFA's emphasis on activating community to solve academic challenges influenced me to do the same thing outside of the classroom.” Let's celebrate these trailblazers and continue championing their endeavors for a brighter, more equitable future!

Meet Megumi Cramer and Dairany Blanco-Flores, two incredible educators who exemplify the profound impact of embracing one's immigrant heritage in the classroom.

Megumi, a former undocumented student and multilingual speaker, draws from her own journey to fuel her dedication to education. Her belief in the transformative power of learning drives her advocacy for students from underrepresented backgrounds, showing them that their voices and stories hold immense power. Dairany's motivation stems from a desire to provide the representation she lacked in her own schooling experience. As an educator, she strives to ensure diverse voices and experiences are reflected in the classroom, empowering her students throughout their learning journey.

To all immigrant students and educators, Megumi and Dairany offer words of encouragement: embrace your journey with pride and confidence. Your resilience, determination, and unique experiences enrich our community, shaping a more inclusive and impactful future.

You did it! You Taught for America (Baltimore to be specific) and you crushed it over two years! We celebrated you all in May, but we want to take a second to officially THANK YOU for your commitment to our city and to our youth. Now that the final day of the school year has come and gone, thank you for your service 2022 corps and welcome to alumnihood officially!

Kat said she is preparing students for their lives ahead and perhaps in the
process to be healthier and better able to learn. Click the link below to read and learn more about her perspective and how she is raising awareness of mental health in her classroom. https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/education/k-12-schools/baltimore-city-teacher-of-the-year-FF5DG23JEZBG7GCSX7HYQM5JYM/?schk=NO&rchk=YES&utm_source=The+Baltimore+Banner&utm_campaign=420c9e3113-NL_AMSC_20240610_0700&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-420c9e3113-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D&mc_cid=420c9e3113&mc_eid=a03d2f8e33

Join us for First Taste of Baltimore on Thursday, July 25th! Special thanks to our host sponsor, Brown Advisory, for allowing us to welcome our newest corps of educators to Baltimore on Bond Street Wharf in Fells Point. Click the link https://bit.ly/3Rk09Pj to register now.

Charles Mullins (‘23) taught the students in his Spanish and World Culture classes at The Commodore John Rodgers School how to play Bomba music on wooden-cask drums. Thank you, Mr. Mullins, for bringing the joy of music and dancing to your students!

Attention High School Teachers: Please encourage your students to apply to be a Maryland Corps/Service Year Option Member! Maryland Corps/Service Year Option offers a year of professional growth and career exploration where you can earn a salary, gain new skills, and identify where your talents and purpose intersect, all while serving your community with your fellow Marylanders.

Service roles will provide you with job training, an on-site mentor, and resources to be successful (personal money management training, career exploration, etc.) all while earning at least $15 an hour in your role. Upon successful completion of the program, members earn $6,000 toward tuition costs or as a cash stipend.

Click the link https://bit.ly/4aYdhQZ to learn more and apply by June 15.

Join Lee On Wednesday June 12, 5-6 PM, for any part of this virtual learning series with other Latinx leaders across the country to build community and deepen their civic engagement in service of nuestra comunidad. Click the link https://bit.ly/3Xan2IS to register.

is here! Which LGBTQIA+ Icon inspires you? These leaders paved the way for our future champions of progress. From groundbreaking mathematicians to trailblazing scientists to influential literary voices, these historical figures made meaningful contributions to the arts and sciences. Let us know in the comments which icon inspires you the most!

Meet Dr. Charles Lu who is contributing towards equity by advocating for continuous improvement in access to healthcare, reduction of health disparities, and promotion of fairness and social justice through his work at the National Institutes of Health.

Fun fact about Dr. Charles is he just facilitated a panel with three Chief Diversity Officers about the DEIA landscape in higher education at the White House Initiative on Asian America Native Hawaiian Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) Leadership Summit!

Congrats and thank you for all you do!

Leah Lee (‘22) and her Badminton team at Ben Franklin High School are going to the district championships! Best of luck!

In case you missed it– registration is open! Join us on Thursday, July 25th for First Taste of Baltimore! Click the link https://events.bizzabo.com/firsttaste2024 for registration and event details. Special thanks to Brown Advisory for hosting First Taste in their beautiful, waterfront space this year!

Congratulations to Dr. Taiisha Swinton-Buck (Greater Newark ‘08) (pictured top right) for being honored as one of Baltimore Banner’s Emerging Leaders. Click the link https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/economy/emerging-leaders-community-OBRSUYQLCJF4TOTUAV5US6AOPI/ to read more about her accomplishments!

Meet Emily Yu! She is a ELA Teacher at Western High School where she works toward equity for Baltimore's children in schools by pushing her students to see their highest potential and in the community by campaigning for the Baltimore Baby Bonus which proposes direct cash payments to support Baltimore's parents.

Thank you for all you do, Emily!

Shout out to Jontae Martin (‘23) for representing Corps Members at the Welcome a Teacher kickoff & Board Cultivation event. Corps Members can click the link https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdmNyiju8rpmebNvhda3zkdM-BnDMBs0lY8T_uH_PVA_WDtzA/viewform to fill out the Welcome A Teacher survey to get involved!

The Baltimore Orioles announced a special partnership with Harlem Park Elementary Middle School, where they hope to inspire the students and transform the school in an impactful way for years to come. Tenia Brown (‘22) was featured on HPEMS social media for attending the Orioles game with her students. Go Tenia!

Check out TFA Baltimore Alum Berol Dewendy's (Baltimore '13) feature in the Baltimore Banner as she shares her mother's influence on her in the classroom and the impact it has on her teaching. Click the link https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/education/mama-llama-anna-dewdney-berol-dewdney-pre-k-teacher-4HLFBSLPUJAPVOMHTJBPS7SNQA/ to read.

This year during AANHPI heritage Month, we want to highlight and celebrate the incredible work of illustrious AANHPI members of our TFA alumni community locally. Stay tuned throughout the month for our weekly features!

Meet Ms. Judy Kim! She is a ESOL Spanish Algebra Teacher at Patterson High School where she works towards equity for students in the Baltimore region by providing rigorous scaffolded math instruction for the Spanish speaking community of Baltimore.

A few FUN facts about Ms. Kim:
- She loves rock climbing in her free time.
- Her class is taught entirely in Spanish.
- She is fluent in 3 languages (English, Korean, Spanish).
- She worked as a TA in Spain during her study abroad trip before she even knew she wanted to become a teacher.

ICYMI: Check out Executive Director Normandi Amprey's (Baltimore '09) recent interview with Comcast Newsmakers: Making Positive Change in Baltimore City Schools. Click the link https://comcastnewsmakers.com/Videos/2024/5/6/Making-Positive-Change-in-Baltimore-City-Schools to listen.

Join us for First Taste of Baltimore as we welcome our newest corps members! Let's savor the start of their journey in Baltimore with great local food, company, and celebration. See you there! Click the link https://events.bizzabo.com/firsttaste2024 to RSVP!

A huge shoutout to Fulton Bank and True Chesapeake Oyster Company!

We are beyond grateful for your generous support of Teach For America Baltimore's Educator Appreciation Happy Hour. Thanks to your contributions, we were able to create a memorable evening celebrating our hardworking educators!

Fulton Bank, your commitment to education and community empowerment shines through your sponsorship. Your support helps us continue our mission of providing quality education and opportunities for all students in Baltimore.

And True Chesapeake Oyster Company, thank you for graciously hosting our event! Your hospitality and dedication to supporting local initiatives are truly commendable. Our educators had a fantastic time enjoying your delicious oysters and beautiful venue.

Together, your partnership made this event possible. We are immensely grateful for your support!

Congratulations to Kat Locke-Jones (Baltimore ‘13) for being awarded Baltimore City Public Schools’ Teacher of the Year!! Click the link https://bit.ly/4afI8bJ to read more.

Congratulations to Green Street Academy! The National Prize Winners showed how innovation on a community level can be used to build a better future. Click the link https://bit.ly/4drZdls to check out their video submission.

Tiana Fernandez (‘22) was named Teacher of the Month at Baltimore Collegiate School for Boys. Way to go, Tiana!