Teach For America Oklahoma City

08/24/2026

Our students are ready. Are you??

2027 Corps Member applications are open. Apply at the before the first deadline on September 11th!

08/19/2026

It’s back to school season for students across Oklahoma City!

Wishing our partner districts for our corps members and Ignite fellows a year filled with learning, connection, and purpose.

08/18/2026

Big things are happening in classrooms across Oklahoma City. Check out our 2025-26 annual report at the for our outcomes, progress, and bright spots from the past year!

None of this progress happens alone. It is made possible by the educators, alumni, partners, and supporters who believe deeply in the potential of our students. Thank you for being part of what’s possible and making a difference for students across Oklahoma City.

08/17/2026

Education policy doesn't end when a bill is signed. Its impact continues in classrooms, schools, and communities every day.

Join us at the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits for our first EduTalk of the school year on Wednesday, September 9th. Educators, school and district leaders, policymakers, advocates, higher education partners, and community members will explore how Oklahoma's newest education legislation is being implemented and what it means for students, families, and educators.

Whether you're in a classroom, leading a school, supporting students through a nonprofit, or care about the future of public education, your perspective is an important part of the conversation.

Come ready to learn, connect, and build the bridge between policy and practice. Tag who you’re bringing, and RSVP below!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfViyLyMqqlZ77dMjc_XSyUuDvG_iey8XNTDcjtE3OlFJ0xMw/viewform?utm_id=1366339&sfmc_id=110252107&subkey=bmljb2xlLm0uc2lsdmVzdHJpQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ==&testind=false

08/14/2026

Three years ago, 31 percent of Santa Fe South Schools 8th graders scored in the top two quintiles on district math assessments. This year, that number is 61 percent. Seventh grade climbed from 41 percent to 54 percent. Sixth grade moved from 39 to 43.

Isaiah Massing (OKC ‘13), a secondary math content and curriculum coach at Santa Fe South Schools, didn’t support the district in getting there with one big fix. He got there by coaching teachers and instructional coaches to ask students to think through a problem instead of copying the steps to solve it, and by giving teachers the same kind of modeling he asks them to give their students.

This September, Massing is leading a three-part virtual math learning series for Teach For America alumni, built around the same shifts that moved the needle in his own district.

Alumni - learn more in the newsletter or comment “MATH” to get the details sent to your inbox!

08/13/2026

Teaching can be challenging, but our corps members don't do it alone.

Over the weekend, 2025 and 2026 Oklahoma corps members began the year together at our annual All Corps Kickoff, an intentional time to build relationships, context, and skills to fuel our teachers impact throughout the year.

From building community and feeling grounded in place to deepening their understanding of our goals and supports, 95% of corps members responded positively to their kickoff experience.

Special thanks to our network who helped make this possible:
🔹 Stephen Evans (Mississippi Delta ‘05), Director of Education and Public Programming for the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum for our guided tour and conversation,
🔹Kristin Garcia, a Teach For America Oklahoma City board member and Executive Director at The Verge OKC for hosting us in their beautiful space,
🔹The 11 Teach For America alumni who joined us to build relationships with our corps over lunch,
🔹…and to our incredible team for making it all happen!

08/13/2026

Students getting to be "in the room where it happens" 👏.

A special day for our Millwood Public Schools students, corps members, and community, thanks to Paycom!

Students from Oklahoma City Public Schools’ Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary, Millwood Public Schools’ Arts Academy and Dove Science Academy Elementary attended the musical “Hamilton.” FULL STORY⬇️

08/10/2026

08/07/2026

Ask Brynley Jones (OKC ‘25) how she spent part of her summer, and she will share that she saw new educators hit their stride during our summer Practicum. Having gone through the training last year, this summer Brynley served as the School Operations Manager and ensured our newest teachers had the materials, resources, and systems needed to support their impact in the classroom. During summer learning, Brynley saw corps members deliver rigorous instruction while building real relationships.

“It is truly amazing,” Brynley said. “You just have to witness it for yourself.”

Brynley is eager to return for her second year in the corps, and looks forward to building upon the momentum from this summer alongside our network.

If you are looking for ways to support our corps members this back to school season, our network shared:
🌟 Be a mentor or familiar face. Corps members are looking for advice, encouragement, or someone to grab dinner with.
🌟Provide corps members with materials for the year ahead by supporting their classroom wish lists.
🌟Reach out to our team for additional opportunities throughout the year!

08/04/2026

Last year, 56% of third through fifth graders at Santa Fe South Schools were performing at or above grade level in math on their MAP assessment. This year, that number is 70%.

Hayley Slane (OKC ‘19), the district’s Director of Elementary Math, points to one habit behind the jump: a feedback loop that runs every week, from her coaches to her, from her to instructional leaders, from leaders to teachers, and from teachers to students.

“A strong curriculum matters,” Slane says, “but it only has impact when paired with intentional professional development, consistent coaching, and using student data to make instructional adjustments.”

Slane is candid that the work isn’t finished. “What got us here won’t get us there,” she says. Her team is still refining their practices and building teacher capacity as student needs keep shifting.

We look forward to the continued academic growth for students in the year ahead!

📸: Hayley Slane + Santa Fe South