about me
20+ Years Rooted in
Classrooms & Communities
Greetings! I’m Tanesha B. Forman. A former teacher and principal, now a coach and school design partner who turns real school challenges into practical tools that help educators learn, grow, and lead sustainably.
My commitment to education started early. Growing up in a large family—six brothers, five sisters—I was the first to attend college and proudly graduated from Florida State University. Afterward, I returned to my hometown to teach in the community that raised me.
My first year was beautifully challenging, and it confirmed what I already felt deeply: I love this work. Since then, I’ve taught, led schools, and traveled across the country coaching and learning alongside teachers and leaders.
Leadership grows from who we are, not just what we do.
This is My Why
Over the years, I’ve learned that authenticity is the foundation of strong leadership. The Grow & Lead Community exists because my own leadership has been shaped by deep reflection, challenging my biases, questioning long-held beliefs, and continually reshaping my practice to align with my values and disrupt inequity.
I wanted to build a space where educators could do that work together with care, honesty, and purpose that centers growing into the educators our students and communities deserve. This is my life’s work. Supporting leaders and teachers is how I continue to live out my values and push toward more equitable, human-centered schools.
My Journey
2005
Beginning the Work
K–2 Self-Contained Classroom | Tallahassee, Florida
I began my teaching career in a small, self-contained K–2 classroom while simultaneously completing my master’s research. Balancing research with daily classroom demands taught me how to organize myself as a lead teacher, differentiate for a wide range of learners, and value collaboration.
2006–2009
Advocacy in Action
Self-Contained 6–8 Classroom | Miami, Florida
Teaching in a self-contained middle school classroom was one of the most challenging experiences of my career. Entering a new program as a relatively new teacher with limited tools and diverse student needs revealed my core values. I fought for students who were underserved and underresourced—advocating for access to general education, building family partnerships, and collaborating closely with my team.
2009
Seeking Deeper Knowledge
PhD Studies in Special Education | Austin, Texas
I moved to Austin to pursue a PhD in Special Education. While the program was academically rigorous and I excelled, I realized my heart belonged in schools, alongside students and educators.
2010-2012
Building from the Ground Up
Founding Teacher | KIPP Jacksonville
As a founding teacher, I helped build curriculum, culture, and community from scratch. I stretched beyond my comfort zone—embracing feedback, using data to drive instruction, and co-creating strong learning environments with students. The results were powerful, with over 80% of students in the bottom quartile making academic gains.
2012-2015
Developing Educators at Scale
Teach For America | Chicago & Atlanta
I transitioned into staff leadership roles, hiring, training, and managing teams that supported new teachers during Summer Institutes. In 2014, I became Senior Managing Director of the Atlanta Institute, overseeing the training and support of more than 400 new teachers across the city.
2012-2015
Developing Educators at Scale
Teach For America | Chicago & Atlanta
I transitioned into staff leadership roles, hiring, training, and managing teams that supported new teachers during Summer Institutes. In 2014, I became Senior Managing Director of the Atlanta Institute, overseeing the training and support of more than 400 new teachers across the city.
2015-2020
Returning to the Classroom
Middle School Teacher | Achievement First, New Haven, CT
Returning to the classroom was both humbling and rewarding. I taught in a greenfield middle school model designed to reimagine learning for adolescents. This experience deepened my practice and reaffirmed my commitment to students and teachers.
2020-2025
Leading Through Complexity
Principal | Achievement First
Serving as principal through and beyond the pandemic tested every aspect of my leadership. I strengthened new-teacher development, improved reading and math outcomes, expanded student-driven extracurricular programming, and coached teachers to achieve double-digit annual gains. Our school achieved top regional results through collective visioning, intentional coaching, and trust.
Present
Designing the Future of Schooling
School Design Partner | Transcend
Today, I work with schools and communities across the country to reimagine high school experiences that are rigorous, relevant, and rooted in student and community needs.
