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Shaneli, Recruitment Manager at Teach For America: Advize Career Interview
Shaneli's journey from extensive youth mentorship involvement at UCLA, including a summer camp and school mentorship programs, to a Recruitment Manager role at Teach For America, showcases a passion for education.
Their experience as a teacher involved individualized student support, fostering a risk-taking classroom environment, and addressing learning loss from the pandemic.
The most fulfilling aspects of their career include building student relationships and witnessing their growth, while patience and problem-solving skills are highlighted as crucial.
A reflective nature and adaptable communication are key traits for success in the field, along with maintaining work-life balance.
Numerous entry-level opportunities exist, including campus involvement in mentorship and tutoring, and Teach For America's "ignite" program.
Continuous learning, mentorship, and embracing identity as a role model are valuable lessons learned.
Shaneli's career path, even with a fluctuating undergraduate major, emphasizes finding joy in meaningful organizations and pursuing fulfilling opportunities.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Shaneli Mirpuri
Recruitment Manager
Teach For America
UCLA 2020
Relay Graduate School of Education; Masters of Arts in Teaching
International Relations & Affairs
Nonprofit
Human Resources (HR)
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Career Path of a Recruitment Manager at Teach For America
Shaneli's career path began with extensive involvement in youth mentorship programs during college, including four years with UCLA unicam, a summer camp for low-income youth where Shaneli "taught archery, arts and crafts, and different leadership development programs," and a mentorship program in low-income schools. This early experience in supporting and developing youth clearly played a significant role in shaping their career trajectory toward a recruitment role at Teach For America.
Main Responsibilities of a Special Education Math Teacher at Teach For America
Shaneli's main responsibilities as a special education math teacher involved "advancing students onto the next grade," which went beyond simple instruction to include individualized support, addressing "the disconnect between why they sometimes get problems wrong," and fostering a classroom environment where students felt comfortable taking risks. This involved tailoring instruction to each student's needs and creating a supportive atmosphere where "it is okay to get a question wrong as long as they are trying their best."
A Day In The Life Of A Teacher At Teach For America
A typical day for a teacher, according to Shaneli, a Teach For America Recruitment Manager, follows a "pretty firm schedule," beginning with welcoming students and providing breakfast, followed by morning advisory to address scheduling and student well-being— "checking in with students," even noting details like haircuts. The day then involves teaching periods, lunch supervision including playing games and attending to student needs ranging from "putting on Band-Aids" to providing water, concluding with homework time and dismissal.
Most Important Skills For A Teacher At Teach For America
Shaneli, a Recruitment Manager at Teach For America, highlights patience and problem-solving as crucial skills for educators, emphasizing the need to adapt teaching methods to individual student needs: "every single student is different," requiring "figuring out what methods work best" and a willingness to problem-solve "even after the school day."
Favorite Parts Of Being A Teacher At Teach For America
Shaneli, a Recruitment Manager at Teach For America, finds the most rewarding aspect of teaching to be "building relationships with the students and seeing how much they grow," specifically citing instances of students' academic achievements and personal growth as profoundly fulfilling, emphasizing the "light in a student's eyes" when they succeed.
Biggest Challenges Faced By a Teacher at Teach For America
Shaneli, a Recruitment Manager at Teach For America, identifies the significant learning loss experienced by students during the pandemic as the biggest challenge in their teaching career. This required creative problem-solving, such as incorporating "fifth-grade prerequisite work along with the sixth-grade work," to address the learning gap and ensure student progress despite the setbacks.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Education Industry As A Recruitment Manager
Shaneli, a Teach For America Recruitment Manager, finds the most rewarding aspect of the education industry to be "the amazing people," highlighting the diverse backgrounds and experiences that make each day unique and emphasizing the importance of guiding young people as they explore their identities. This passion for connecting with and supporting diverse individuals is central to their work.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Teaching Industry, According To A Teach For America Recruitment Manager
Successful Teach For America teachers, contrary to popular belief, can be "both introverts and extroverts," but a reflective nature and the ability to adapt communication styles are key. Ultimately, the most impactful teachers are those who demonstrate "patience and dedication," earning student respect rather than demanding it.
What a Recruitment Manager at Teach For America Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Teaching Industry
Shaneli, a Recruitment Manager at Teach For America, emphasizes the crucial, often overlooked aspect of work-life balance in teaching, stating that "work-life balance is really key," and maintaining a "work-free weekend" was essential for their well-being and ability to effectively support students. This personal strategy highlights the importance of self-care for maintaining effectiveness as an educator.
Entry-level Positions for Aspiring Teachers at Teach For America
Shaneli, a Recruitment Manager at Teach For America, highlights numerous entry-level opportunities in education, mentioning campus involvement in "mentorship, summer camp, tutoring," and programs like Teach For America's "ignite" program, a virtual opportunity to mentor elementary school students. Post-graduation, Teach For America offers full-time teaching positions for those seeking leadership experience and further career development in education.
Significant Career Lesson From A Recruitment Manager At Teach For America
Shaneli, a Teach For America Recruitment Manager, emphasizes the importance of continuous learning by "asking questions and always learn[ing] from people who are more senior," highlighting the value of mentorship and reflection in education, where adapting to evolving student needs requires ongoing growth and improvement.
College Experiences That Helped a Teach For America Recruitment Manager Succeed
Shaneli's undergraduate experience, marked by "switching [her] major five times," unexpectedly led to career success by focusing on fulfilling organizations and strong mentorship. Finding "joy" in these activities, eventually led to a Teach For America recruitment, a continued mentorship relationship, and ultimately, a career in education.
How Identity Has Influenced A Teacher At Teach For America's Career
Shaneli, a woman of color and Teach For America Recruitment Manager, shares how her identity significantly impacts her career, noting the challenges of "speaking up" as a woman of color in professional settings. The experience of being a role model for students of color, "showing them that a woman of color can be very successful," deeply influenced their career path and commitment to empowering others.
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