TFA Memphis Recruits Reflect on Their First Few Months in the Classroom

Just a few months ago, Teach901 introduced you to some of the newest faces in Teach For America Memphis. Thirty-five new educators arrived this year, energized by the opportunity to create a more equitable education system for students across the city. Now that they’ve had a taste of what it means to lead a classroom in Memphis, we caught up with three of them, Blessing Uzoeshi, Timothy Woods, and AJ Oppenheimer, to hear how things are going.

AJ Oppenheimer 

AJ made a cross-country leap from San Francisco (with a stop in London for college) to join TFA Memphis. His goal was “to teach in a way that would make a meaningful impact.” That mission hasn’t changed, but the reality of life in the classroom has deepened his understanding of what it truly takes.

“It helped me understand the necessity of practicing radical empathy with the students despite and because of the challenges I face every day in the classroom. I teach 190 students over six classes, so figuring out how to manage my classroom effectively and grade all of their work efficiently has led to a lot of growth and reflection on my part. I wanted to teach in a way that would make a meaningful impact. TFA’s mission attracted me as exactly the kind of initiative that would allow me to do that.”

And despite the long days, AJ encourages others to consider the path:

“Take the leap of faith, but be prepared for a challenge.”

Blessing Uzoeshi

Hailing from Albany, NY, Blessing came to Memphis for a new beginning where she could make a difference in children’s lives. Now a few months into teaching, she says the job is “challenging but rewarding.”

“It’s been challenging but rewarding. I like making connections with the students and figuring out ways to help with their academic progress in the classroom. I didn't realize how rewarding it would be for me. I’m still excited about my teaching journey and fostering growth in the classroom.”

A big part of her success came from the TFA summer training:

“By doing the summer practicum. It gave us a taste of how teaching would be in Memphis.”

For those who might be unsure about applying, Blessing encourages potential teachers to sign up:

“Do it!! At first, I was hesitant about joining because I was unsure about the unknown. But I’m so glad I did. I’ve met great people in TFA and enjoy working with my students.”

Timothy Woods

Born and raised in Memphis, Timothy sees his work with TFA as a way to invest in his own community. He’s driven by a deep desire to “dismantle education inequality and drive forth equitable change.”

So far, he’s been impressed with the preparation he’s received:

“TFA offered a comprehensive summer training that allowed me to explore educational theory and praxis in the classroom. Ongoing training has been informative as well, providing guidance and support to strengthen my teaching practice through observations and learning circles.”

Despite the ups and downs of classroom life, Timothy is already seeing results:

“My first few months in the classroom have been smooth but challenging. I have been presented many opportunities to differentiate and apply learning tools gained during my TFA training. My students have showcased a lot of growth in a short amount of time! I hope to continue to push my students towards proficiency and meet my school's double AMO goal. I also hope to reach 100 percent of my students' stretch growth for the year on their iReady diagnostic scores.”

He encourages future educators to consider TFA as a launchpad:

“TFA provides a smooth and fast-tracked process towards licensure. The program provides invaluable tools to enhance teaching practice and expand one's network of practitioners and skillset. TFA is a great program that opens a plethora of doors to diverse opportunities in education.”

Real Experience in Real Classrooms

While every journey might be different, one goal remains the same for almost everyone who signs up for TFA. Every teacher wants to provide quality education for students and make a difference in their community. If that’s your passion as well, don’t hesitate to sign up for TFA because it’s definitely a place where you can make that dream a reality.