Teach For America

Thinking about this scene from Akeelah and the Bee as the Scripps National Spelling Bee kicks off its 100th anniversary this week. We’re honored to celebrate this milestone alongside our own—35 years of working toward educational excellence—by sponsoring the 2025 Educator of the Year award. It’s one way we’re uplifting the incredible teachers who go above and beyond to ensure all kids have what they need to learn, lead, and thrive in the 21st century. Stream the action on ION. https://lnkd.in/gx9_6Ba7

We believe in recognizing educators who spark curiosity, confidence, and a love of learning in their students. That's why we’re honored to serve as the official presenter of the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee Educator of the Year Award. This year’s award goes to Nikki Montana, a veteran teacher with 26 years of experience, who has transformed her school’s spelling bee into a meaningful event where students of all ages and abilities are encouraged to grow and succeed. Join us in celebrating the educators who make moments like these possible this Bee Week! 📺 The competition airs May 27–29. Tune in: https://lnkd.in/gx9_6Ba7

We have a winner! After months of coding, collaboration, and creativity, students from Merrill Middle School in Denver, CO have taken home the top prize in Teach For America and Apple's national app development showcase. As part of a new initiative that launched coding and app design clubs in 90+ schools across 27 states and DC, these students designed an original app named Blue using Swift that tackles a real issue in their community: changing mindsets from fixed to growth. This initiative gave nearly 60,000 students the opportunity to learn coding and app development skills, supported by Apple-donated iPads and custom learning resources built by Teach For America. It’s helping students see themselves as coders, creators, and change-makers. https://bit.ly/43rfF0S #STEMEducation #TeachForAmerica #AppleEducation #StudentInnovation

National service is a powerful force for our workforce and communities. This piece from WorkingNation underscores why preserving and expanding opportunities to serve is so critical. Our former CEO Elisa Villanueva Beard and alum Jason Catanese (Phoenix ‘11) highlight the long-term impact of public service on career pathways and civic leadership. Let’s continue to uplift and invest in the next generation of educators, advocates, and changemakers. 🔗 https://bit.ly/43puYHB

This AANHPI Heritage Month, we’re celebrating the accomplishments, people and stories that shape our classrooms and communities. Through these quotes from AANHPI leaders in the Teach For America network, we’re spotlighting the power of educational impact—and the leaders who create it. #AANHPIHeritageMonth Featured leaders: Niloy Gangopadhyay (Bay Area ’02) Ashley Terada (Los Angeles ’07) Bonnie Gray, VP of Experience and Belonging Darin Lim Yankowitz (Greater New Orleans ’08)

This month, we’re celebrating educators who empower their students and pay it forward, like TFA alum Ella Hereth (Indianapolis ’11). When Ella was a student, her chemistry teacher fought for her right to take the AP exam despite the school board’s doubts. That belief made all the difference. Ella passed with top scores and a lifelong commitment to education. Now a math department chair and recipient of the National Science Foundation’s Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, Ella champions her students and coaches other teachers to do the same. “I’m glad I had that kind of support,” she says. “I try to provide that for my students, too.” This is the #TFARippleEffect. Your donation can provide the support that teachers like Ella need to pay it forward to their students and communities. In honor of #TeacherAppreciationWeek, your donation will go twice as far this month thanks to a match from our partner, Ripple. https://bit.ly/4iHw3jx Join us in fueling the next wave of life-changing educators. 👩🏽🏫👨🏻🏫 #ThankATeacher

The recent decision to cancel $400 million in AmeriCorps grants puts our education system at risk. AmeriCorps supports thousands of our educators, empowering them to make a lasting impact on students. We must act now to protect the vital programs that empower our future. 📖 Learn more through this oped by our CEO Aneesh Sohoni and City Year CEO Jim Balfanz: https://bit.ly/44I9NTw ✍️ Sign to #Stand4Service: https://bit.ly/3MjOgGh @Voices4Service

This morning Jim Balfanz and I have an urgent call to action in The Hechinger Report: Canceling AmeriCorps grants threatens the future of education and workforce pipelines that power our nation’s progress. AmeriCorps is a talent pipeline fueling our country’s classrooms and communities. For every $1 invested, AmeriCorps generates $17 in economic value. Cutting this program isn’t saving money—it’s costing our future. I’m grateful to Jim Balfanz CEO of City Year, Crystal Rountree, CEO of Jumpstart, and Vincent Marigna, CEO of Breakthrough Collaborative for their partnership on this piece and for their ongoing partnership in the work to ensure every child in America has the opportunity of an excellent education. Voices for National Service #Stand4Service

After 14 years in the classroom, you don’t hold back. That’s why we asked Tatiana Sheppard (Atlanta ’11) to take over our Instagram stories for Teacher Appreciation Week. Dive deep into the little details and moments that make it all worth it. Tatiana is also breaking down the financial realities of teaching and how vital supports from partners like @Ripple can make those early paychecks go further. This is the #TFARippleEffect. Want to be part of the ripple effect? Through the end of May, @Ripple is doubling every donation. Give now and make twice the impact. 💜 https://bit.ly/4k5HN0P

Teachers like Catherine Borek (Los Angeles ’96) have spent decades transforming classrooms—and lives. 💜 With over 30 years of experience, she’s more than an educator. She’s a mentor, coach, and advocate who’s helped students find their voice and confidence through the arts. As we prepare to welcome a new class of Teach For America teachers this summer, your support can create a #TFARippleEffect like Catherine’s. Donations are being doubled by our partner Ripple through the rest of May to cover critical needs like moving and certification fees. https://bit.ly/4jtbskn