We were lucky to catch up with Latasha Thornton recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, LaTasha thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
I was the Instructional Facilitator for one of the biggest Middle Schools in Memphis, TN. There were conversations of change in leadership at the Middle School and the new principal had doubts about keeping me in the position, Instructional Facilitator. I decided in June of 2023 to resign and began to execute a plan that I devised May of 2023.
I knew in 2001 my calling was to make a difference in some child’s life when I decided to accept a teaching position, but at 22 years as a educator for one of the biggest school districts in the state of TN my time had expired at that moment.
I began to allow faith to lead along with placing one foot in front of the other and started my nonprofit, Community Alliance Group. Community Alliance Group equip future educators to work in urban schools/communities. Our future educators will become efficient by receiving development sessions on instructional practices, disaggregating data, using informed data to drive instruction, preparing an effective lesson plan aligned with the district’s curriculum. Lastly, we are Coalition Builders by building relationships with communities in which urban schools reside, we will develop a partnership with community members and leaders by involving community stakeholders in conversations on how to best serve the students academically.
LaTasha , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I started my educational journey on the campus of LeMoyne Owen College, one of the oldest Historical Black Colleges in the state of Tennessee. I took early childhood courses and from there I fell in love with Education. After graduating from LeMoyne Owen College, I decided to apply for a teaching position in 2001 at Humes Middle School in Memphis, TN. While teaching, I enrolled at Christians Brothers University in their Masters of Education program. After graduating from Christian Brothers University, I then continued my studies at Union University where I received an Educational Specialist Degree in Administration and Supervision. Graduating from Union University reminded me that Educational Leadership was my next calling along with supporting struggling teachers.
Last Year, Community Alliance Group has launched its first program, Educating Champions. Educating Champions is an Education Preparation Program that empowers and prepares new educators to excel in teaching. We are committed to develop skilled, confident, and compassionate new teachers who will inspire students. By providing supportive mentorship and practical development sessions, we aim to foster confidence and competence in our educators. Our mission is to cultivate a new generation of champions for education who can make a positive impact in their communities.
I am very proud that my program will be the first program on the campus of a Historical Black College. Educating Champions is free for Student Teachers. enrolled in an Education Program. We will pay students a $750 stipend, provide laptops, books and preparation sessions for 2 semesters to develop new teachers.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
The most effective strategy for growing my clientele is collaborating with other nonprofits in my field, participating in community fairs, conducting a parent survey segment at community fairs and collaborating in political events.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
I built my audience by inviting people into my day and life as I started my nonprofit. I shared pictures of talking to potential board members, I uploaded weekly content regarding my nonprofit. I created a business page and paid extra money to boost my page on Facebook. I had a fundraising even on Facebook and asked everyone to share. I made my website accessible to everyone. I had a wikipedia and Linkedin page created.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cagmemphis.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553548060334&sk=about
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/latasha-thornton-ed-s-ab10a7286
- Other: https://en.everybodywiki.com/Community_Alliance_Group_of_Memphis
Image Credits
Photographer:/Content Creator: Victoria Wheeler