“Each of these years was tough - exhausting, humbling, full of moments that made me question everything. But each of them also reinforced what I still believe: with the right support and belief, people - kids, communities, all of us - can do the impossible.”
Brendan Csaposs is a three-time AmeriCorps Alum and lifelong educator. From New York to Louisiana to Nairobi, Kenya, Brendan’s commitment to his students is rooted in a belief that everyone can achieve their goals.
“I watched my students defy expectations time and time again—kids who were ‘too far behind’ or who ‘couldn’t possibly catch up.’ But they did. Because someone believed in them, structured support around them, let the data lead, and never let up.”
Brendan’s service began as a college student with Jumpstart, a national early education organization, in Geneva, New York. During his service year, Brendan provided language and literacy support for preschool children.
Following his service year with Jumpstart, Brendan applied and was accepted to Teach for America (TFA). For the next two years, Brendan taught special education students in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The transition from New York City to Baton Rouge inspired a learning that Brendan continues to draw on today.
“If service taught me anything, it’s this: never assume you know someone’s story before you listen to it. Moving from New York to Louisiana - going from a majority-white Northern environment to a majority-Black Southern one - was a culture shift, no doubt. To be honest, that first year was a seismic change! But learning to meet people where they were, to listen before acting, to connect before trying to change anything - that made all the difference.”
His effort to connect with students paid off. By the end of his first year, his eighth-grade classroom advanced from a first to a fourth-grade reading level. Following his second year of service with TFA, Brendan made the leap to manage a team of AmeriCorps members through City Year. It was the culmination of four years of service that changed his outlook and direction.
“I wouldn’t be in education without AmeriCorps. That’s the short version. Jumpstart made me fall in love with working with kids, so instead of taking a 'gap year' after college, I chose a service year. Two, actually. Teach for America turned that year into a mission because after watching my students move mountains, I realized I wasn’t done. City Year sealed the deal. I saw how leadership, culture, and systems could magnify impact, and I knew I wanted to be part of something bigger.”
Today, Brendan is a global education consultant based in Nairobi, Kenya. He works with schools, nonprofits, and organizations, scaling impact beyond one classroom, one school, and one city at a time. Moving around the world to counsel local educators and leaders through curriculum and instruction advancements has not been without opportunities to grow, just like his service year.
“I walked into a school community with totally different work styles, expectations, and approaches than my American charter school background.” When an initial strategy fell flat, Brendan harnessed the lessons he learned as a new teacher in Baton Rouge. He shared his story of service and showed the impact of the changes he wanted to make - leading with the “why” instead of the “what.” In doing so, they found common ground, and created a stronger model to support students and teachers.
“Service is my heart, my purpose, and my compass. And, honestly, I can’t imagine a life without it.”
