Meet Rae!

Rachael Alexander Education Manager

Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Education: BA in International Studies and Spanish from Kalamazoo College in Kalamazoo Michigan; Teaching Certification in English and Art Education for Secondary Ed from Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan

What is your position and what do you do here at CYDC? I am the Education Manager for CYDC. I develop the training programming for our Whole School, Whole Child corps members and work with them throughout the year to maximize their service and impact in the schools. I also get to pour through all of the multi-leveled data that we collect from service partners and stakeholders in order to constantly celebrate and improve our service. The last thing I get to do (and in my opinion, the coolest thing!) is get to know our WSWC corps members and have great discussions with them about all-things-school-related. It’s really fun to use my experiences as a teacher to help our corps and the kids of DC.

How long have you been with CYDC and why do you serve? I am just a few months into my second year with City Year; I came to CYDC originally with the idea that teaching was one of the most valuable forms of public service. After working with so many amazing people and seeing the kinds of impact we have on the community—and the less expected but equally important impact that the community has on us as individuals—I realize that my feet are grounded and standing on so many shoulders of people who served before me. I want to “be the shoulders” to others!

What are you most excited about this year and or the future of CYDC? Whole School Whole Child is blowing UP this year! Our corps has been so energetic and inquisitive already and we haven’t even gotten into service yet. I’m just looking forward to empowering our corps and the students in the schools of DC.

Tell me a short story about your favorite moment in service? If there’s one thing that people I work with know about me, it’s that I claim EVERYTHING to be “my favorite,” so choosing a favorite moment is nearly impossible. Recently, though, I was at RFK Stadium for the 9/11 National Service Day and we helped piece together quilts for Operation Kid Comfort. It was such a great service day, and such an important project—and I know my mom would be proud of me showing off my sewing machine skills!

What is something most people don’t know about you and wouldn’t guess? I am obsessed with music and art…especially of the hip hop variety! Ooooh and I also have what some might consider an unhealthy obsession with ROBOTS.