Hope Harrod began her teaching career in DCPS 11 years ago, and this year marks her fourth at Burroughs Education Campus. After studying history as an undergraduate, Ms. Harrod decided to pursue a master’s degree in education.

“I became a teacher because I wanted to be a part of helping to develop a generation of children who love learning. I love to watch as students come to realize that their ideas and opinions matter.” Ms. Harrod is constantly perfecting her craft through a variety of leadership roles and professional development opportunities. She mentors teachers through the DC Teaching Fellows Program, coordinates school book fairs, organizes mathematics labs for students after school, and has served as a faculty member for a research institute through the Teaching America History project where she helped high school history teachers integrate the use of primary sources in the classroom.

When asked what she loves most about teaching, Ms. Harrod said, “I love helping students develop the tools to think critically, ask questions, and articulate their ideas with measured precision. I love watching them grow. It never fails that as they grow, they become more and more confident that the world’s opportunities are for them and that they can grab on if they only reach out.”