“TFA provides training and real world support for new teachers that is unmatched in most other alternative licensure programs.”
-Gala Hayes
What is Teach For America?
Teach for America is a nonprofit working to eliminate the educational partisanship plaguing our country by mentoring leaders and growing them into educational change-makers. Teach for America believes every child deserves to achieve, regardless of circumstance. To advance this objective, new corps members are given opportunities to teach up to two years in local, under-resourced public schools where they can help students to succeed.
In 2006, TFA established a branch in Memphis TN. Fueled by the mission of Martin Luther King Jr, Teach for America Memphis is combating academic inequality by recruiting talented educators and introducing them to a professional environment where they can develop skills for change in a city of great potential. In the past month alone, TFA Memphis has gained 35 new educators, all eager to foster an even playing-field for Memphis schools. Over the next few weeks, CL is delighted to introduce some of these bright new recruits and allow a little insight into their individual aspirations.
Say Hello to Gala Hayes
Originally from Ohio, Gala has dreamed of teaching for as long as she can remember– a dream that couldn’t have been achieved without many twists and turns. As a high school senior in Cleveland, an exciting internship with her local police department inspired her to pursue a degree in Criminal Justice. But after entering the career field, Gala couldn’t help but wonder what could have been had she stuck with her original dream. As much as her desire to serve her community fueled her motivation for Criminal Justice, she felt stuck in her career. But how could she circle back to education at such a late stage of her own learning journey?
“I made sure to stay within a school environment, even if I could not yet be in the classroom. All throughout this time I would periodically check the requirements to gain an alternative license from the state of Ohio, and over the course of about 10 years the rules slowly but surely changed. I completed that process in Summer 2023 and started teaching in Ohio for Fall 2024 as a Special Education Intervention Specialist, working with Kindergarten and 6th graders. I loved my job and was finally doing what I was supposed to be doing. But, life continues to move on and I became blissfully happy to get engaged to be married– who lives in the Memphis area. The transition to TN is what brought me to TFA Memphis. I knew that I needed to continue teaching and I knew that I would absolutely need the support to do so effectively. I am so happy to be able to pick up where I left off – (with even more training and support than my previous program) and do what I was meant to do from the beginning. I am a testament that it is never too late (proudly as one of the oldest corps members this year at 43)- and that life experience can also have a huge positive impact in your teaching. I feel more prepared as an older and more experienced leader; more patient, more creative and more focused.”
How do you think this program will support your long-term career goals—whether in education or beyond?
“TFA provides a network that will support me for as long as I wish to partake. We are building relationships and professional cohorts that will help us grow and thrive. I plan on being in the classroom until I retire and I plan on taking TFA with me.”
How has the Teach For America experience been beneficial so far?
“TFA provides training and support to get us ready to hit the ground running from Day 1. They have been monumental in making sure that we think through all aspects of our teaching career – not just the “what/how” but the “why” as well. Perhaps most importantly.”
If you could leave your students with one lesson to carry for life, what would it be?
“‘All who wander are not lost.’ It’s a big world out there – go see it before you settle down. (Or never settle down!)”
Fun Fact
In addition to her impressive repertoire, Gala is a bold and fearless adventurer! “I have visited the Devil Pool, a natural pool on top of Victoria Falls in Zambia, Africa. I have also been white water rafting, bungee jumping, and swimming with wild sharks.”