Wendy Kopp
Wendy Kopp
Wendy Sue Koppis the CEO and Co-Founder of Teach For All, a global network of independent nonprofit organizations working to expand educational opportunity in their own countries and the Founder of Teach For America, a national teaching corps...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionEntrepreneur
Date of Birth29 June 1967
CountryUnited States of America
astronauts best bounds faced history landed men people possible pushed russian societies space throughout
Throughout history, when societies have been faced with big challenges, they've put their best people on them. During the Space Race, American and Russian scientists, engineers, astronauts and cosmonauts pushed the bounds of what was possible and landed men on the moon.
discovered families kids low outcomes
There is a perception in our communities that we have low educational outcomes in low-income communities because kids aren't motivated or families don't care. We've discovered that is not the case.
education guarantee regardless
Our laws guarantee all students the right to a K-12 education, regardless of their immigration status.
ability face foremost influence leadership looking motivate others perseverance personal predict share success
We are looking for a set of personal characteristics that predict success, the first and foremost of which is perseverance in the face of challenges. We also look for the ability to influence and motivate others who share your values, strong problem-solving ability, and leadership.
ability challenges education ensure excellent face facing influence kids motivate others people perseverance work
We look for people who demonstrate perseverance in the face of challenges, the ability to influence and motivate others - people who want to work relentlessly to ensure that kids who are facing the challenges of poverty have an excellent education.
change earn effective elementary great highly less likely pregnant research school students teacher teachers thousands
Research confirms that great teachers change lives. Students with one highly effective elementary school teacher are more likely to go to college, less likely to become pregnant as teens, and earn tens of thousands more over their lifetimes.
across attend challenges children country designed extra facing far kids lives meet poverty schools similar
All over the world, children facing the challenges of poverty attend schools that aren't designed to meet their extra needs; across country lines, the lives of marginalized kids look far more similar than they do different.
broader build education experience folks force leadership providing reform strategic strategy ways
In the long run, we need to build a leadership force of people. We have a whole strategy around not only providing folks with the foundational experience during their two years with us, but also then accelerating their leadership in ways that is strategic for the broader education reform movement.
almost builders critique history people shape sidelines sit
You will find it will almost always be more comfortable to sit on the sidelines and critique the builders from afar. But at the end of the day, the people who make a difference, the people who shape history, are not the haters.
asked common core critical demand education explain modeled questions reminds standards students testing thinking work
Common Core reminds us what testing can do right. Modeled on standards of the world's education superpowers, questions demand critical thinking and creativity. Students are asked to write at length, show their work, and explain their reasoning.
teachers trying
The teachers are trying to build the same culture in the classroom as we're building in the organization.
academic bigger face gain great mindset persevere predictor shows skills students success whether
Research shows that whether you are low-income or not, mindset is a bigger predictor of success than academic skills, and how students gain great academic skills and persevere in the face of challenges.
education sector technology
Education must be the only sector that hasn't already been completely revolutionized by technology.
gets model whether
It gets to whether we're a teacher-education model or a movement for social justice. I would say we're about the latter.