Amazing Student Zack Kroll

In fall 2010 (my senior year), I was fortunate enough to study abroad in Seville, Spain. Besides learning about the culture, history and art in the classroom, I traveled around the country and experienced it firsthand. My art history professor in Seville and I had numerous discussions about career paths and life goals. It was those discussions that led me toward what would become my lifelong profession: education.

Right before I returned to Athens to finish my undergraduate career, I decided to apply to Teach for America. I had my interviews in the spring and was accepted to start teaching that fall. I moved to Mississippi in the summer of 2011, where I taught high school mathematics and coached track for two years in Holmes County, the eighth poorest county in the country. There were times when I didn't know how I was going to survive the rest of the day, let alone two years. Having to teach six classes each day for two years with no prior experience taught me how to be resilient and persevere even when I might not believe it is possible to continue going.