How I Built This with Guy Raz Teach For America: Wendy Kopp (2017)
Jul 8, 2019
Wendy Kopp, the visionary founder of Teach for America, shares her inspiring journey from a college thesis to launching a nonprofit that revolutionizes education in underserved communities. She discusses the challenges of securing funding, including a pivotal meeting with Ross Perot that shaped the future of her initiative. Kopp emphasizes the enduring impact of TFA on thousands of teachers and students across the nation. Plus, meet 19-year-old Abby Kircher, who shares her entrepreneurial journey from a peanut butter obsession to running a successful nut butter business.
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Early Inspiration
- Wendy Kopp grew up in a privileged Dallas “bubble” unaware of educational disparities.
- Her roommate's struggles at Princeton revealed these inequalities, inspiring Kopp's interest in education reform.
Conference Spark
- A student-organized conference on education reform sparked Kopp's idea for Teach for America.
- Students expressed a willingness to teach in underserved areas if given the opportunity.
Initial Funding
- Kopp's thesis advisor supported her idea but questioned its feasibility, especially fundraising.
- Kopp secured an initial $26,000 by leveraging corporate interest in education reform.