**Teach For America Celebrates 35 Years with Mass Vow Renewal in Las Vegas**
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In a unique celebration of community and commitment, Teach For America (TFA) hosted a mass vow renewal ceremony in Las Vegas to commemorate its 35th anniversary. Over 150 couples who met and fell in love through their engagements with TFA gathered at Caesars Forum earlier this month to affirm their love in a joyful group ceremony, fittingly officiated by an Elvis impersonator.
The two-day summit unfolded against the vibrant backdrop of Las Vegas, attracting more than 8,000 members of the TFA community. The event highlighted the lasting connections formed through shared dedication to education, showcasing the personal relationships that have evolved from professional foundations.
One participant expressed, “Doing this in a group with other TFA teachers helped to emphasise the beauty of working alongside someone you love for so many years.” Many couples shared their stories with the media, revealing how their relationships blossomed in tandem with their commitment to education.
TFA is known for its mission to provide all children in the United States with access to an excellent education. As part of this celebration, four alumni couples reflected on their journeys together. Aneesh Sohoni, TFA’s current CEO, and Jill Gottfred Sohoni shared how their connection flourished through their mutual involvement in TFA initiatives. Aneesh remarked, “Teaching is the hardest job you’ll ever love,” as he recalled their early conversations about their students and the shared experiences that brought them closer.
Their relationship evolved over time through long-distance communications and visits, ultimately leading them to a life together in Chicago. Today, they are proud parents in a family committed to continuing the TFA vision of educational equity.
Another couple, Brittany and Grant Monda, took a more whimsical approach to their shared experience. Their relationship began with Grant frequently borrowing Brittany’s pen during training sessions—a small but memorable detail that has since become a cherished anecdote. Brittany recalled, “When we got engaged, I spotted a very specific yellow pen—my pen—in Grant’s car. He’d kept it all those years!”
The couple, both still active in the field of education, shared how meaningful the group vow renewal was to them, especially in light of their roots in Memphis, Tennessee. “We got married in Memphis, and Grant wore a replica of Elvis’s wedding tuxedo. Celebrating in Elvis’s second home, Las Vegas, was something we couldn’t pass up,” Brittany noted.
Ira Rigaud and Shyla Kinhal found that the summit offered a poignant moment to honour their relationship as well as TFA’s mission. The pair met as corps members in New York City and built a life together, eventually welcoming two daughters. They regarded the group ceremony as a fitting tribute to their journey. “Being surrounded by other couples who had similar stories felt really special,” Ira said, clearly appreciating the shared commitment to education that brought them together.
Naya Bloom and Drew Furedi, who have been married for 26 years, were introduced by mutual acquaintances within the TFA network in the mid-1990s. Reflecting on their experience at the vow renewal, Naya expressed enthusiasm for reconnecting with friends from their early days. “We loved the idea of renewing our vows with so many who also found their partners through Teach For America,” she said, mentioning that ten of their wedding guests also attended the summit.
The ceremony served not only as a celebration of love but as a reaffirmation of the values instilled by TFA—values that many couples expressed continue to influence their professional lives and personal commitments. Drew stated, “We both stayed working in schools and underserved communities since our start with TFA. It makes complete sense that we met through TFA, as it shaped so much of who we are.”
The event underscored TFA’s long-standing ethos about the power of community, uniting educators who have navigated challenges in the classroom while building enduring partnerships. As TFA looks to the future, the sense of unity among its members is a poignant reminder of the organisation’s impact—not just on education, but on personal lives as well.
As the celebrations wrapped up, couples departed with renewed commitments to each other and to the mission of TFA, inspired by the collective energy of like-minded individuals dedicated to improving educational outcomes for children across the country. The summit proved to be an unforgettable occasion, cementing not only romantic bonds but also affirming shared aspirations for the future of education in America.