Kylie teaches 2nd grade at DC Preparatory Edgewood Elementary in North East D.C. She earned her master’s degree in Special Education from George Mason University and a B.A. in American Studies from Claremont McKenna University. As a 2009 corps member, Kylie taught Special Education (1st- 5th grade) as an Inclusion, resource, and self-contained teacher throughout her two year commitment. In her second year of teaching Kylie served as a Content Team Leader for elementary special educators through Teach For America. She also spent the summer as a Corps Member Advisor with TFA training and mentoring a group of incoming corps members. Kylie was recently awarded the Edith Tatel Education Award for Excellence in Teaching for her accomplishments during her corps commitment.

Shayna is an Early Childhood Educator at Simon Elementary School. She currently serves as the Grade Level Chair where she has worked to foster teacher collaboration around student academic and behavioral data. Shayna received her B.A. in Classics at Howard University in 2009, graduating Summa Cum Laude and was inducted in Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. While at Howard University, she served as a Teach for America recruiter, and upon graduation entered the organization. It was through Teach For America that Shayna developed her teaching skills and fostered her love for the teaching profession. Shayna also helps to serve her community as a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

Caryn teaches a Tools of the Mind Kindergarten classroom at Truesdell Education Campus in Northwest Washington D.C. She is a team lead and member of the Academic Leadership Team. She holds a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from the University of Maine and has educational experience at multiple grade levels K-12 including rural, urban, charter, public school and special education settings. She holds a B.A. in both English and Environmental Studies from Western Michigan University. Her educational interests include the impacts of education reform policy in Washington D.C., support for teachers in the classroom and school climate and culture. She is pursuing a PhD in Education Policy.

Dwight is a 5th grade teacher and seven year veteran of the District of Columbia Public Schools. In addition to teaching 5th grade and serving as a teacher lead at Wheatley Education Campus, Dwight is currently pursuing a certificate in Reading and Literacy at The George Washington University. Dwight holds both a Masters of Divinity and Masters of Arts in Education from Princeton Theological Seminary. In 2011, Dwight presented at the International Reading Association Bibliotherapy Special Interest Group session. Dwight is passionate about his family, teaching & learning, and seeks to provide his students with highest quality instruction possible.

Prathima is a biology teacher at McKinley Technology High School. She holds a Bachelors of Science in Biology from the University of Georgia and a Masters of Arts in Teaching from American University. As a 2007 Metro DC Teach For America Corps Member, she has spent the last five years developing and teaching curriculum in biology, chemistry, and AP Biology. She actively takes leadership roles at school by facilitating Summer Bridge Programs, leading 9th and 10th grade team committees, assisting with the personnel committee, and interviewing new prospective students. Within the District, she enjoys building science curriculum with non-profit organizations, peer reviewing grants, assisting in recruitment and selection, and training and supporting new teachers.

Dowan is a 7th grade ELA teacher at the Stuart-Hobson campus of the Capitol Hill Cluster School where she has taught for the majority of her 8 year teaching career. Dowan began her career as a 3rd grade teacher and taught 6th grade ELA for five years. Dowan also coordinated the Accelerated Classroom Environment program for the Cluster schools for 2 years and acted as lead teacher for the program. Dowan holds a BA in Elementary Education from the University of the District of Columbia and a M.Ed. from Trinity University where she also is an adjunct professor in the Education department.

Jessica teaches 3rd- 5th grade Special Education Math at D.C. Scholar’s Stanton Elementary School in Washington, D.C., where she serves on the school’s faculty council and local school advisory team. Prior to teaching in Washington, Jessica taught elementary Special Education in Prince George’s county, M.D., where she was awarded a grant for integrating technology into reading instruction for students in the Special Education and English as a Second Language programs. Jessica recently completed her M. Ed. in Education Policy and Leadership at the American University in Washington, D.C. Her educational interests include access to education and educational rights for students in Special Education and English as a Second Language programs, parent and community engagement, and student and parent advocacy.