Teach For America Houston

09/03/2026

Join Rice university and TFA Texas on Thursday, September 24th from 5-6 PM Via Zoom to learn how to access exclusive Rice University benefits for TFA Corps Members & Alumni:

• Up to $1,000 in scholarships
• Waived $85 application fee
• Additional tuition savings

Register at bit.ly/4gxghdl

08/31/2026

Sometimes, the best way to reimagine what’s possible is to see it in action.

Through the School Leadership Learning Lab, school leaders will visit exemplary Texas schools, learn directly from the people creating change, and bring that inspiration back to their own classrooms and campuses.

See what's possible.

Learn more and apply at bit.ly/4g8O1gP

08/28/2026

Save the Date! ​

Join Teach For America Houston for the 2027 Together Toward One Day Luncheon (formerly known as the Ignite Potential Luncheon) at River Oaks Country Club!​

We are thrilled to be led by Event Chairs Lara & Derek Hollingsworth alongside Honorary Event Chairs Nancy McGregor & Neal Manne. As TFA corps member/alumni parents, both couples bring deep, personal dedication to educational excellence and a shared commitment to making this year’s gathering our most impactful yet.​

We are also proud to recognize our 2027 One Day Honorees: Chris Myers Asch, Gregg Costa, and Shawn Raymond—three exceptional 1994 TFA alumni.​

One day takes all of us. Learn more, secure your table, and/or sponsorship today at bit.ly/together-toward-one-day

08/28/2026

Real leadership starts with showing up for kids every single day. ​

We’re thrilled to announce the 2026 recipients of The Virani Distinguished School Leader Award! In partnership with Dr. Asha and Farid Virani, Teach For America Houston is honoring three extraordinary principals with $15,000 grants for their bold vision, courage, and dedication to their school communities: ​

Ms. Peta Douglas (Houston '12) | Principal, Shearn
Elementary School (Houston Independent School District) ​

Ms. Shireen Bell (Houston '17) | Principal, KIPP Texas - Houston Voyage
Academy for Girls ​

Ms. Adrienne Brown | Principal, YES Prep Public Schools Hobby
Secondary ​

Thank you for leading like the future depends on it (because it does)!

08/26/2026

🌟 Interested in school leadership? Join us for our annual Exploring School Leadership - a virtual panel event designed to help you become a competitive candidate for roles like instructional coach, assistant principal, dean, principal, and more across various partner districts.

📅 Date & Time: Thursday, Sept 10th | 5–6 PM CT
📍 Location: Zoom - register to receive your unique link
🎁 The first 35 people to register and attend the event will receive an UberEats voucher to enjoy dinner that evening

Hear from alumni leaders, get your questions answered (career trajectories, networking tips, certifications/requirements, timelines, etc.),connect with other current and aspiring school leaders, and learn how TFA can help you get to where you want to go.

Register at teachforamerica.zoom.us/meeting/register/hPrUo-d-QgCMyRpD1-8txA

08/25/2026

We are still celebrating Alexis Ayala (Houston ’22), as a 2026 Kinder Excellence in Teaching Award winner! 🎉

Read more at www.aldineisd.org/2026/08/17/macarthur-high-school-teacher-alexis-ayala-receives-30000-kinder-excellence-in-teaching-award/

08/25/2026

08/24/2026

Celebrating Kamil Plecki (Houston ’16) as a 2026 Kinder Foundation Excellence in Teaching Awards winner! 🎉

Established in 2001, the Kinder Excellence in Teaching Awards recognize outstanding educators.

At Sylvan Rodriguez Elementary in Houston ISD, Kamil teaches 4th-grade ESL Reading Language Arts and has spent the past decade helping students find confidence and success as readers and writers. His classroom has become a model for instructional excellence, welcoming educators and district leaders who come to learn from his practice.

This year, Kamil was named his campus’s Teacher of the Year and earned the prestigious Teacher Incentive Allotment Master Teacher designation, recognizing him among the highest-performing educators in Texas.

We’re proud to celebrate Kamil and the 12 outstanding educators recognized through this year’s Kinder Excellence in Teaching Awards, representing Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, KIPP Texas Public Schools – Houston, Teach For America Houston, and YES Prep Public Schools.

From L-R: Darcele Lofton Demerson, Executive Director of Instruction, HISD; Alesander Olaizola, Senior Executive Director of School, HISD; Parisa Behzadi, Principal at Rodriguez Elementary School, HISD (Houston '12), Kamil Plecki, Master Teacher at Rodriguez Elementary School, HISD (Houston '16), Tiffany Cuellar Needham, Executive Director, TFA Houston (Houston '03)

08/21/2026