Calling all current teachers and alumni! One of our donors, Christian & Small LLP, would like to raise a glass to YOU this Thursday! Come find us at Back Forty Beer Company from 5 – 7 PM for this optional social. We hope to see you there! Let us know if you can make it at bit.ly/tfa_back40.
TFA Alabama's Executive Director, Damon Bailey, has a message for the #bamaly this #teacherappreciationweek !
#thankyouteachers / Teach For America
The journey toward ensuring every child receives an excellent education matters today to shape a different tomorrow.
#CelebrateTFAAlabama10
Discover the Legacy of TFA Alabama's First Class of Corps Members
It all started with 30 teachers who served in Alabama's Black Belt region. Discover the legacy of Teach For America Alabama's first class of Corps Members. #CelebrateTFAAlabama10
Register for our free, virtual 10th Anniversary Celebration taking place this Thursday by visiting: https://www.tfaalabama.swell.gives
2021 Final Application Deadline
The final application deadline for the 2021 corps is tomorrow at midnight! We're looking for leaders passionate about creating a more equitable education system to join our work right here in Alabama and across the nation. Open to college seniors and professionals with training beginning first week of June. Head to teachforamerica.org/register! #oneday #bamaly
Celebrate 10 Years With Us!
"Now is the time to set a bold vision about what will be true of our next decade." Join Damon Bailey, executive director of Teach For America
Alabama, on March 11 as we reflect on 10 years of service and set goals for future progress. #CelebrateTFAAlabama10
Register at https://tfaalabama.swell.gives
December 4th Application Deadline
Celebrating 10 Years in Alabama
Anna Willis (TFA-AL ‘18) is an Elementary teacher at Hudson K-8 School in Birmingham, Alabama. Anna has a degree in vocal performance from Samford University.
When Anna isn’t instilling a love for reading in school, she’s instilling a love for music outside of school. In her spare time, she teaches youth music lessons and sings in her church choir every Sunday!
Anna, thank you for using your gifts to serve students in Alabama. We can’t wait to welcome you to alumnihood this Saturday!
#Bamaly #2018Corps
Kara Halfaker (TFA-AL ‘18) is a Math teacher at Putnam Middle School in Birmingham, Alabama.
Kara has become a fundraising savant for her students! Earlier in the year, Kara raised enough funds for a classroom set of Chromebooks to differentiate Math instruction. A few months later, Kara raised the funds necessary to take her students on a field trip to the Southern Museum of Flight. She used this opportunity to make a real-world connection to the heroic work of the Tuskegee Airmen, the African American pilots she highlighted during Black History month.
Kara, thank you for all the ways you bridge the opportunity gap for students in Alabama. Welcome to alumnihood!
#Bamaly #2018Corps
Elizabeth Bieri (TFA-AL ‘18) is a Science teacher at Wilkerson Middle School in Birmingham, Alabama. Since her first year at Wilkerson, she has been advising students on the school’s Altec Team. Thanks to this guidance, students won a competition this year and are currently launching their own apps in Apple’s App store.
Elizabeth, we salute your work and dedication to the mission of “one day.” Because of you, students are not just dreaming big, but they’re doing big! Welcome to alumnihood!
#Bamaly #2018Corps
Nolan Crowley (TFA-AL ‘18) is a Social Studies teacher at RC Hatch High School in Uniontown, Alabama. He began a robust art program at his school. Thanks to this program, students at RC Hatch were able to showcase some of their amazing original pieces for all to see.
Nolan, we’re lucky to have had your love and commitment in the Black Belt. We can’t wait to see where your path takes you. Welcome to alumnihood!
#Bamaly #2018Corps
Kathryn Saltzman (TFA-AL ‘18) is an ELA teacher at RB Hudson STEAM Academy in Selma, Alabama. During her 2nd year, Kathyrn served as the school’s volleyball coach. Kathryn has been a culinary instructor and was on the ACIP Leadership Team.
On top of all of this, Kathryn was TFA Alabama’s PRISM board secretary and currently serves as the vice chair.
Kathyrn, we appreciate your deep commitment to our students and our community. Welcome to alumnihood!
#Bamaly #2018Corps
Christina Scott (TFA-AL ‘18) is a Math teacher at South Hampton K-8 School in Birmingham, Alabama. She began her TFA corps membership with a bang — creating a rap song during Induction to teach a lesson that became a big hit with her students! More recently, she can be found hosting Tuesday tutorials after school with her students. During her first year teaching, she became the Health, Science, and Information Tech Academy Lead teacher at Jackson Olin High School in Birmingham, AL, where she also hosted math tutorials and led the Math team.
Christina played a huge part in creating and organizing the post-Institute scrapbook for her corps year. has also been a part of the CMCA and the ICM transition team for TFA Alabama. She was recently accepted into the University of Alabama’s Higher Education Administration Program and will begin attending UA in the Fall.
Christina, it’s clear that not only are you on a path to greatness, but that we haven’t even seen the half of it! Your passion for your students and dedication to excellence remind us of all that is possible. Welcome to alumnihood!
#Bamaly #2018Corps
Sarah Ellen Battles (TFA-AL ‘18) is a Math teacher at Greensboro High School in Greensboro, Alabama. Sarah Ellen serves on the Prom Planning Committee and is the Senior Advisor for her school.
When she isn’t mentoring students, she’s helping new teachers get acclimated by serving as a Mentor Teacher. Lastly, she serves as the Math Department Chair.
Sarah Ellen, thank you for all the ways you pour into your school community. We’re so proud of you. Welcome to alumnihood!
#Bamaly #2018Corps
Nichole Morris (TFA-AL ‘18) is an English teacher at RC Hatch High School in Uniontown, Alabama. Nichole serves as the cheer coach at her school.
Nichole has a passion for criminal justice reform, and co-created a literacy initiative at a prison in Limestone County. To raise awareness and resources, Nichole hosted a book drive for our January Day of Service. After leading a book study on “Just Mercy,” Nichole organized a trip to the National Memorial for Peace and Justice and the Legacy Museum for her students.
Nichole, thank you for bringing your passion for equity to schools in Alabama. Welcome to alumnihood!
#Bamaly #2018Corps
Jake Landen (TFA-AL ‘18) is a Science teacher at the Jefferson County International Baccalaureate Middle School in Pleasant Grove, Alabama. Jake serves as the Garden Club Advisor and the Science Olympiad Advisor.
Jake also oversees the JCIB Service Day and the Vulcan Night, the school’s annual socktober drive.
Jake, thank you for your commitment to helping students achieve their greatest potential. Welcome to alumnihood!
#Bamaly #2018Corps
Briana Francois (TFA-AL ‘18) is an English teacher at Francis Marion School in Marion, Alabama. Briana started a video club for the students at Francis Marion interested in film.
When she’s not capturing images, she’s working on her financial planning blog, a website devoted to helping people find financial independence.
Briana, thank you for giving your students a creative outlet to share their gifts with the world. We can’t wait to welcome you to alumnihood this Saturday!
#Bamaly #2018Corps
Jessica Roberson (TFA-AL ‘18) is an ELA teacher at Selma High in Selma, Alabama. She led a successful three-week ACT Ready bootcamp, which led to ACT growth for students for the first time since 2014!
Jessica is also a member of Selma High’s Public Relations Team and is a part of the Teacher Action Committee.
Jessica, we’re honored to have such a passionate individual working towards “one day.” Welcome to alumnihood!
#Bamaly #2018Corps
Glenn Woerndle Needham (TFA-AL ‘18) is a Science teacher at Green Acres Middle School in Birmingham, Alabama. Glenn serves on her school’s attendance committee, testing committee, and PBIS team. She’s also a sponsor of the school coding club.
After just ONE semester of instruction, Glenn led her students to an average of 8 points of ACT growth!
Glenn, you’ve gone above and beyond this year, and we are so proud of you. Welcome to alumnihood!
#Bamaly #2018Corps
Luke Chamberlin (TFA-AL ‘18) is a Science teacher at Washington K-8 School in Birmingham, Alabama.
Luke serves as the school’s Garden Club advisor, is a member of the Science Committee, and a member of GLOBE, an international science and education program.
As one of the leading members of the STEM Committee, Luke helped organize the school’s first STEM Nigh Lock-in. Luke also organized the school’s Science Fair and a trip to the Girls in STEM Fair. In addition to all his other accomplishments, Luke is a trained AMSTI Science teacher! He’s excited to return to the classroom this fall to continue bringing interactive lessons to his students.
Luke, thank you for bringing such passion and innovation to classrooms in Alabama. Welcome to alumnihood!
#Bamaly #2018Corps
We’re honored to highlight the amazing 2nd-year corps members who will be entering alumnihood this Saturday.
We’re kicking off the series spotlighting Anjelica Harlow (TFA-AL ‘18). Anjelica is a Math teacher at RB Hudson School in Selma, Alabama. During her time at RB Hudson, Anjelica has served as the Robotics Advisor, Assistant Volleyball coach, PTA teacher representative, Yearbook Advisor, and afterschool tutor.
In her “free time” Anjelica participates in the BIrmingham Ed Foundation Community Action Fellowship. She completed the LEE Fellowship with the Montgomery Education Foundation's Brain Forest.program.
Anjelica, we’re honored to welcome you into alumnihood and so thankful you’ve shared your gifts with the students in Alabama.
#Bamaly #2018Corps
Scrolling through our OPS Event App!
Did you know our upcoming Opportunity Summit event on March 6-7 has it’s own event app? Everything you see on our event site can also be found in the app- including the agenda and a full list of organizations who are coming! Paperless and convenient 😎
Visit our site to register to attend and download the app by searching “Bizzabo” in your App Store: https://teachforamerica.org/alabamaops20
If you get the chance, you have to see Celeena Remmers (TFA - AL'19) in action. Her students are learning to calculate their resting heart rates by getting moving in the classroom!
Congratulations to Dawn Mitchell (TFA – AL’18) for being named the September Teacher of the Month at RB Hudson Middle School and Claire Propes (TFA – AL’ 19) for being named the October Teacher of the Month at Francis Marion School!
According to Principal Curtis, “Ms. Mitchell engages with our scholars, provides good sound instruction, and volunteers to tutor our scholars after-school. Ms. Mitchell is steaming 4 Excellence!”
On April 27, 2019 Teach For America Alabama welcomed 23 amazing teachers into our Alumni Network. We are so proud of the talented, passionate, and determined leaders we get to call members of our Bamaly.
TFA - AL Opportunity Summit
We can't wait to see everyone at the Opportunity Summit Saturday! Luke Chamberlin & Nora Samayoa are 2018 corps members and they're so excited that they might have used an air horn in the video below... see you all in a little over 36 hours!
A Scene from 'TFA Actually'
The 2019 Opportunity Summit is TOMORROW, and Mimi J. Michel (AL 11), David Liddell (AL '11), and Josh Holmes (AL 16) are here to tell you all the reasons you should be there. It's a true showcase of both Bamaly love and someone's good teacher handwriting!
We are kicking things off with a Pre-Networking Social tonight at Rojo Birmingham at 5:30 pm. Grab all the info and register here: https://teachforamerica.org/alabama-opportunity-summit
Countdown to 2019 TFA Alabama Opportunity Summit, Jan 26th!
The countdown to the 2019 Opportunity Summit has begun! Register at
https://teachforamerica.org/alabama-opportunity-summit
to join Josh Carpenter (AL 10), Khadijah Abdullah (SLA 06), and fellow Bamaly members this Saturday, January 26 at the McWane Science Center!
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