“I chose Teach For America as a way to drive equitable change in our school systems while expanding my skillset and network of practitioners in the field.”
-Timothy Woods
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 Timothy
Born and raised in Memphis, Timothy is ready to reshape his hometown into an equitable environment where no school systems are overlooked. With the help of Memphis’s already dynamic culture, he believes the city already has the perfect foundations for change and positivity. In the future, he hopes students will learn to stand up for what they believe in and learn to think critically about the world around them.
What inspired you to become a teacher?
“I got inspired to become a teacher because I wanted to be a part of the mission to dismantle education inequality and drive forth equitable change in today’s school systems.”
How has the Teach For America experience been beneficial so far?
“Teach For America has been a welcoming and nurturing space for me to build community and collaboratively analyze and process strategies and practices.”
What impact do you hope to have on the city of Memphis through your work?
“I hope to make a positive difference in the lives of my students. I hope that my teaching has a lasting impact on the students that I encounter and bestows a deep effervescence for learning within my scholars.”
Fun Fact
Timothy loves to get active at Shelby Farms and recommends 901 Hotpot for a unique dining experience in midtown.