Micah Joselow

Math Department Chair
DC Prep

Washington '12

While studying education policy as an undergraduate at Princeton University, political advocacy became a huge part of Micah Joselow’s life that took him from canvassing for Barack Obama to serving as President of his College Democrats chapter to applying to join the corps.

Now a founding fifth-grade math teacher and Math Department Chair at DC Prep, Micah uses his passions and skills he gained in the corps to expand his impact as a school leader.

Micah earned his B.A. in public and international affairs from Princeton University and is working toward completing his M.S. in educational studies from Johns Hopkins University part-time while he applies to M.B.A. programs.
Career Path
Career PathPrinceton University, Johns Hopkins University Career SectorClassroom Leadership

  • U.S. Congress

    Micah was an intern for Senator Chuck Schumer and Congresswoman Nita Lowey in consecutive years.

  • Princeton University

    As an undergrad, Micah served as the president of College Democrats and focused his studies on education policy at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public & International Affairs.

  • Teach For America: D.C. Region Corps

    Micah led his pre-algebra students to academic success, founded and coached soccer and baseball teams, and was a semifinalist for TFA’s prestigious Sue Lehmann Award for Excellence in Teaching.

  • DC Prep

    Micah manages the math department where he developed Common Core-aligned curriculum that led to students scoring 22.9 percent above high-performing schools nationwide.

Q & A

What led you to apply to Teach For America?

I learned about TFA from my older sister who was a corps member in New Orleans. After hearing about her experiences, I knew I wanted to directly impact students as soon as I graduated. I also wanted to gain practical teaching experience, learn more about education, and expand on my undergraduate studies in education policy, so TFA was a logical first step.

What were some of the major lessons you learned during the corps?

Teach For America provided me with the opportunity to impact student achievement firsthand in an under-resourced school. The experience lit a fire in me to devote the rest of my career to working to help close the achievement gap.  

What do you do today?

My experience in TFA connected me with the charter school network DC Prep, where after my time in the corps, I became a founding teacher at its newest middle school, Benning Middle Campus. In addition to teaching one class, I now manage the math department, write curriculum, plan and lead weekly department meetings, and provide professional development and group coaching to our 11 math teachers.

Do you have a long-term vision for your career?

I’m currently pursuing an M.S. from the Johns Hopkins School of Education to propel me toward my long-term goal of founding an organization or network of charter schools that leverages innovative pedagogy to work to help close the achievement gap. I’m also applying to business school to round out my skillset. I believe TFA’s partnerships with top M.B.A. programs will help me find the right fit.

 

 

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