Stacy Perzinski
Teach for America

Since Teach For America started in 1990, more than 24,000 dedicated college graduates have committed to teaching for two years in low-income urban and rural communities across the United States. Their classroom experience as Teach For America teachers—called corps members—inspires them to continue seeking ways to effect the fundamental changes necessary to ensure that all children have the opportunity to attain an excellent education.

After working with pre-kindergarten children in an Americorps program during college, Stacy Perzinski knew the unique influence that passionate and talented individuals can have on students, and she wanted to continue that impact beyond her college years. Upon earning a degree in industrial design from Georgia Institute of Technology in 2008, Stacy joined the Teach For America-Charlotte corps. In August 2008, Stacy began her teaching career as an eighth grade math teacher at Kennedy Middle School.

To push her students toward academic success, Stacy actively participates in their lives both in and out of the classroom. In the classroom, she tracks each student’s progress through each lesson and unit. In her first year, she held a successful math tutoring program at Kennedy helping 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students each day after school. Now in her second year, Stacy continues her one-on-one tutoring guidance. “I still tutor more than 50 percent of my students from last year throughout the week and on weekends,” says Stacy.

Outside of class, Stacy builds relationships with parents to promote student success. She also participates in math initiatives that take place in the West Learning Community where Kennedy Middle School is located.

Stacy’s hard work and investment in her students paid off, as 93 percent of her students met and exceeded expected growth during her first year. Additionally, Stacy was chosen by her school administration as the winner of "A Day Made Better" by OfficeMax and the Einstein Award for teaching outside the box. She was also honored by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools with one of three district-wide Outstanding First Year Teacher Awards.

Stacy does not stop at winning awards; she continues to find ways to help her students succeed. This year, she and another Teach For America corps member are introducing academic clubs to Kennedy Middle School and are starting an Odyssey of the Mind Team. She is also beginning a mentor tutoring program to increase student achievement in math.

Through all of her awards and success, Stacy simply loves teaching and finding new ways to present lessons to her students. “I feel so blessed to have earned the awards,” she says, “but I am most excited when I can rap math to my students.”