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From TFA To TEA: 3 Alumni Join Texas Education Agency
Megan Aghazadian (New York ’03), Martin Winchester (Rio Grande Valley ’95), and Penny Schwinn (Baltimore ’04) loved their teaching experiences so much they’re taking them outside the classroom. Each will continue to make a significant impact on schools and students in leadership positions at the Texas Education Agency, which oversees primary and secondary public education. It is headed by the commissioner of education.
We recently caught up with the trio of alumni to learn about their paths to TFA and the TEA, how their time as corps members prepared them for the job, and what each of their roles will entail.
What inspired you to apply to Teach For America?
Megan Aghazadian: My mom was the executive director of a nonprofit that advocated for kids with disabilities in schools, and she and my dad have always been fierce advocates for my brother, who has autism, so I knew that I wanted to do something that allowed me to improve opportunities for children. At various points, I had considered being a child psychologist or a family lawyer, but when I learned about TFA through an info session on campus, I was compelled by both the opportunity to work directly with children and by the broader social mission of the organization.