Lauren Boyle Plaxa, '11

Director of College Counseling, Academic Advisor, and Social Studies Teacher
Freire Charter High School

My Program(s)

English

My Opportunity

Got a Job
Service Commitment

Briefly describe your position.

"Immediately after my graduation from Saint Joe's, I began a two-year service commitment as a Teach for America corps member. During that time, I taught high school English at a Philadelphia charter school that has since closed. Now, as the Director of College Counseling, an academic advisor, and a social studies teacher at Freire, I spend each day helping my students to prepare for, apply to, and eventually transition to college."

How did you first learn about your current position?

"I learned about Teach for America as a service opportunity while a student at SJU, and landed at Freire after connecting with fellow TFA corps members."

How did your SJU education impact your position or professional goals?

"While I was a student at SJU, I began teaching SAT Prep courses for Philly high school students with the Ignatian College Connection, while simultaneously completing lab experiences for my secondary education minor in Philly school district classrooms. I knew then that I wanted to teach high school in Philly. I completed my student teaching experience at Parkway West High School."