To Whom It May Concern:

I am a Manager of Teacher Leadership and Development (M,TLD) and Real Time Teacher Coach (RTCC) for Teach For America- Baltimore Region. Before joining staff at Teach For America in July 2013, I was a 2011 Philadelphia corps member and was an Associate Literature Instructor and caseload manager for Mastery Charter Schools-Thomas Campus. I possess a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from North Carolina State University and a Master of Science degree in Education with Dual Certification in English and Special Education from the University of Pennsylvania. 

As an M,TLD/RTTC, I have gained valuable experience and knowledge from serving in several different capacities within the role. Some of these experiences have included but are not limited to building corps member leadership, coaching and empowering corps members in and out of the classroom setting, and leading across the organization by owning and supporting broader regional and organizational priorities. Over the past two years, I have completed training in Values Based Leadership and led and facilitated leadership journeys for TFA staff and teachers. These journeys provided a space for staff members and teachers to reflect on their personal values and how those values impact and influence their leadership. In 2013, I was one of two creators and leaders of the Leadership Fellowship for Teach For America-Greater Philadelphia Region. In this position, I had the pleasure of working with corps members to reflect on their leadership and how their leadership skills could positively impact the work they do with students. I assisted in the development of the Fellowship’s vision, lead and facilitated discussions around corps member leadership and development, and supervised events and programs led by corps members in the region.

Given the exposure I have had in addressing systems of oppression within education and how those systems continue to negatively impact students and others in our country, I desire a position working within a school community that affirms students in their identities, prioritizes cultivating the whole child mentally, spiritually, and emotionally, and values high scholastic and ethical standards. Social justice work within education has taught me how to recognize, address, and act in ways that resist unfairness and inequity in and outside classroom, while also incorporating solutions that will enhance possibility and liberation for all. My coaching and instructional experiences working with Teach For America have not only afforded me the opportunity to have conversations about race, class, and privilege on a daily basis and assist teachers with increasing their cultural competencies, but has also increased my understanding of various learning theories and contributed to my continuous collaboration with various stakeholders within education. 

I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my experience and background could support your vision for an ideal candidate. I can be reached by phone at 704-267-0560 or via email at danielle.thomas@teachforamerica.org.  I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards,Danielle N. Thomas