Teaching as a Stepping Stone to Success
For 22-year-old Aron Olegnowicz-Cruz, teaching is not just a profession, but a strategic move to achieve his long-term career goals. As a special education teacher at an elementary charter school in Columbus, Ohio, Olegnowicz-Cruz is part of Teach for America, a nonprofit that recruits recent college grads to teach in underserved schools across the U.S.
A Path to Personal and Professional Growth
Olegnowicz-Cruz, who studied political science and psychology at the Ohio State University, didn’t initially plan to teach. However, after learning about Teach for America through the Association of Latino Professionals for America, he realized that taking a teaching job could help him achieve his personal and long-term career goals.
Addressing Criticisms and Challenges
Teach for America has its share of critics, who argue that the program fails to provide low-income students with qualified teachers and accelerates turnover in areas that need stability. However, supporters believe that the program brings people from elite backgrounds into the classroom and can encourage a new wave of leaders to join the education system.
A Rewarding Experience
Despite the challenges, Olegnowicz-Cruz finds teaching to be a rewarding experience. He values the opportunity to make a positive impact on his students’ lives, particularly during one-on-one reading sessions. “That’s got to be the most emotionally rewarding part of the job, is teaching kids how to read,” he says.
Transferable Skills for Future Success
Olegnowicz-Cruz believes that his experience as a teacher will provide him with valuable skills that can be applied to his future career in business. “The job that I have right now is super rewarding, and I know that everything that I’m learning, not just in terms of organizing my day-to-day, but stakeholder management, working with data, all these transferable skills are a big asset to where I want to go and the impact that I want to drive on a systemic level,” he explains.
Future Plans
By the end of his time as a corp member, Olegnowicz-Cruz will receive a $13,000 education stipend from AmeriCorp and TFA, which he’ll apply toward earning his MBA or pursuing a year-long master’s degree in leadership through a program in China. He’s also been offered a business consulting internship in Washington, D.C., for the summer. Ultimately, Olegnowicz-Cruz hopes to work in economic development and support access to high-quality education across the global south.
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