Tre'veon Hayes, 1st Year Nashville Corps Member
Tennessee State University Graduate | 5th Grade, Smithson Craighead Academy School- Nashville, TN
I am Tre'veon Hayes, born and raised in Memphis, TN. I obtained my bachelor's degree from Tennessee State University in May 2023. I am working within my passion at Smithson Craighead Academy School, teaching 5th grade. Growing up, I remember playing teacher everyday after school with my siblings. During this phase of my life, I did not truly understand the vision and passion behind my dream.
I knew teaching gave me so much joy; however, I did not think I could become a teacher because of my environment and community. After a while, my vision became clear; and my thirst for success grew. Looking back over my life, I doubted myself and my ability to succeed. Then, I remembered I could do hard things! I simply had to believe and apply some pressure to my dream. Teach For America gave a young man with a big dream a chance to define his excellence. I have had the opportunity to identify my teaching style and have been filled with so much knowledge that will help me mold the next generation of leaders. I look forward to utilizing the knowledge I gained to help my students identify their purpose.
Cera Ritchie Washburn, 1st Year Chattanooga Corps Member
Christian Brothers University Graduate | 8th Grade ELA & Social Studies, Orchard Knob Middle School- Chattanooga, TN
My name is Cera and I’m from Soddy Daisy, TN. I attended Christian Brothers University and graduated from Covenant College I then received a masters degree from the University of Arizona. I have worked for multiple different organizations in human resources and training and development for almost 15 years. Through this experience I learned what people need from a trainer/teacher and how to manage a classroom environment. Adults are different from children, but a lot of things are the same
I've loved getting to know my fellow corps members and participating in this experience as a group. It's so nice to have others who are going through the same things as you are. I'm definitely the "mama" of the group but I have learned so much from my peers and continue to grow with them.
My goal is to make a difference in someone's life no matter how big or small that might be. I want to be the teacher who inspires a love of learning and reading in students’ lives. Reading is my passion, and I hope to pass that passion along to my students
and development for almost 15 years. Through this experience I learned what people need from a trainer/teacher and how to manage a classroom environment. Adults are different from children, but a lot of things are the same.
