Steven Ward

Principal
Prodeo Academy

D.C. Region '12

Steven Ward
Career Path
Career PathVirginia State University, Trinity Washington University Career SectorSchool & Systems Leadership

  • Biology Teacher, Prince William County Schools

    Steven increased the passage rate from 90% to 93% on the VA End-of-Course Biology Exam and served as the leader for the Biology Professional Learning Community.

  • Teach For America: D.C. Corps

    Steven received the Edith Tatel Education Award for Excellence in Teaching and was chosen to participate in the KIPP DC Teach Learn Lead Fellowship.

  • Director of School Culture

    After his two years in the corps, Steven continued to teach for an additional three years in the D.C. area. While at Prince George's Country Public Schools, Steven drafted the school’s new vision and mission statement as a member of the Transformation Team, and mentored new teachers. Steven  then joined the William E. Doer Jr. Public Charter School for the Performing Arts. As Director of School Culture, he worked with the school community to support students’ social-emotional learning and created programs that promote a positive school climate, high attendance, and a culture of achievement.

  • Ryan Fellow, Accelerate Institute

    The Ryan Fellowship is the country’s foremost principal fellowship that prepares aspiring school leaders through a rigorous three-year program.

  • Principal

    Steven has been a principal since 2017. Today he is principal at Prodeo Academy in Minneapolis. 

Q & A

You were already a teacher before joining the corps. What made you decide to join TFA?

For five years I taught in schools in affluent areas where I was one of very few black male teachers within sizeable faculties. I was troubled by the fact that my classroom didn’t reflect our nation’s greater diversity, and I wanted to serve students and communities more like my hometown of Washington D.C. That’s when I decided to join TFA.

What was most rewarding about your corps experience?

One hundred percent of my biology students passed the end of course assessment, but my students taught me so much more. My students and I had conversations about race and class in America that shattered what I thought I knew about growing up in a supposedly post-racial society. These are lessons that I still draw upon today.

What advice would you give to someone considering TFA?

I was called to a career of service, and my path to service came through education. If you feel similarly called to serve, I encourage you to live your life in a way that enables as many people to have access to the same opportunities that you have had. Teaching is one way to do this. You will make a difference every single day.

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