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L to R: Teach For America Educator Vow Renewal led by Elvis (Photo Courtesy of Teach For America); Rapper and songwriter Lauren Hill (Photo Courtesy of Photo Credit: Second String Entertainment)
Teach For America Concludes 35th Anniversary Summit with a Renewed Commitment to Expanding Educational Opportunity
Las Vegas gathering featured education and civic leaders, performances by Ms. Lauryn Hill and Common, Elvis vow renewal for couples who met through TFA
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LAS VEGAS, October 7, 2026 — Teach For America (TFA) brought together over 8,000 alumni, corps members, supporters and partners at Caesars Forum from Friday, Oct. 2 through Saturday, Oct. 3 for its 35th Anniversary Summit, pairing discussions on the future of education with celebrations of the community built through 35 years of teaching and service.
The gathering, TFA’s first of its kind in more than a decade, explored how educators and leaders can improve opportunities for students and sustain educational progress in their communities. Panels examined the changing teaching profession, pathways into public service and lessons from education systems change efforts across the country.
“Since Teach For America was founded, we have been dedicated to bringing together people who believe in the extraordinary potential of every child and the power of education to shape a stronger future,” said Aneesh Sohoni, Chief Executive Officer of Teach For America. “It was inspiring to see more than 8,000 people in Teach For America’s network come together to mark 35 years of impact in the classroom and beyond. I came away from the Summit with renewed energy to carry that commitment forward for the next generation of students.”
“Las Vegas is accustomed to growth and reinvention, and that same willingness to evolve is just as crucial in education,” said Tim Hughes, executive director, Teach For America Nevada. “The Summit gave Nevada’s corps members and alumni a chance to contribute their experiences to national conversations while learning from people doing innovative work in communities across the country. Bringing those perspectives together helps us build on what’s working, challenge our own thinking and identify new ways to create stronger opportunities for Nevada’s students.”
The weekend also celebrated the personal connections formed through TFA. More than 150 couples who met as educators through the organization renewed their commitment to each other and to TFA’s mission in a fun vow renewal ceremony facilitated by an Elvis impersonator, marking relationships that began with a shared commitment to serving students.
Ms. Lauryn Hill and Common performed, while Lin-Manuel Miranda joined a live conversation with EdTech Insiders about access, representation and opening doors through the arts.
TFA founder Wendy Kopp and former CEO Elisa Villanueva Beard (Phoenix ’98) also participated, connecting the organization’s founding vision with the work that lay ahead.
A session on Bellwether’s recent research report, Groundwork for Change, examined how TFA alumni contributed to education change efforts in Denver, Camden and New York City. The research found that across all three cities, alumni played critical roles in helping shape policy, strengthen schools and build coalitions as part of broader community-led efforts. A separate session explored how to prepare and support teachers as students’ needs and school models evolve.
Elected leaders, including Denver Mayor Mike Johnston (Mississippi Delta ‘97) and U.S. Rep. Kevin Kiley (Los Angeles ’07), joined a panel on the paths TFA alumni have taken into public service and what it takes to lead in polarized times.
U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, Las Vegas Raiders President Sandra Douglass Morgan, former schools leader Cami Anderson (Los Angeles ’96) and Basketball Hall of Famer Jennifer Azzi discussed women’s leadership. Other featured voices included State University of New York (SUNY) chancellor and former U.S. Education Secretary John King and San José Mayor Matt Mahan (Bay Area ’06).
Beyond the panels, attendees took part in storytelling workshops with The Moth, Peloton classes and short “TFA Talks” highlighting alumni work across education and other fields.
About Teach For America Nevada
Teach For America Nevada works to expand educational opportunity by recruiting, developing and supporting leaders committed to ensuring all children have access to an excellent education. Since 2004, Teach For America Nevada has partnered with schools statewide to strengthen the teacher pipeline and support student success. Today, hundreds of Teach For America Nevada corps members and alumni serve the state’s students as educators, school administrators, nonprofit leaders and public servants. The organization works with schools, families and community partners to strengthen early literacy and ensure every child has the opportunity to learn, lead, thrive and co-create a future filled with possibility. For more information, visit teachforamerica.org/nevada and follow on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
About Teach For America
Teach For America works in partnership with communities across the country to reach One Day when every child has access to an excellent education. Founded in 1990, Teach For America finds, develops, and supports a growing network of leaders who expand opportunity for children from classrooms, schools, and every sector and field that impact a young person’s education.
Today, Teach For America is a force of over 70,000 alumni, corps members, and Ignite fellows working in pursuit of profound change so that one day every child has the opportunity to learn, lead, thrive, and co-create a future filled with possibility. Teach For America is a proud member of the AmeriCorps national service network. For more information, visit www.teachforamerica.org and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Threads.
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