Kylie Silva, a Wareham native and 2020 Curry College graduate, will soon have a classroom of her own as part of the Teach for America program.

Silva is the first Curry graduate to be selected for the program, which is highly competitive -- only 12 percent of about 57,000 applicants are selected. The program places teachers in the highest-need school districts across the country to expand educational equity, access, and opportunity for students. 

"I hope to inspire students to set a higher standard for themselves to achieve greatness even when there may be barriers to their success," Silva said. 

Silva will teach in either Fall River or New Bedford for two years. She will train over the summer to be fully licensed for the fall, and plans to put her education in child development, school psychological services, and behavior disorders in children to use in the classroom.

"I know that my education at Curry has helped me prepare for this new role. I am confident I can apply my learning to assess the needs of children in my classroom so that they can achieve academic success in a conducive learning environment," Silva said. 

As an alumna of the Teach for America program, Dr. Mia Khera, a Curry College psychology professor, is equally excited about Silva's new opportunity. 

"Being accepted into Teach For America speaks to Kylie's determination and commitment to social justice and equity in and out of the classroom," she says. "I am confident that this experience will impact her in incredible ways, as it did me more than 20 years, and she will also be able to make a significant difference in the lives of young children. As a psychology major, she has a strong foundation of knowledge, and as a campus leader, we know she has the skills to continue to be a leader in society."