Miles Senal

Growing up in Yonkers, NY, I went to Jesuit schools for both high school and college. After graduation, I dedicated myself to a life of service and decided that teaching would be the best course of action for me.

I knew I wanted to get into teaching, but I had no idea how. I didn’t want to jump into teaching with no experience or support and considered many different programs through TNTP.

I was working at a grocery store when I found out I was accepted to Baltimore City Teaching Residency. I wasn’t sure if I had picked the right program until I stepped into pre-service training. We have so many different people—from other countries, careers, old and young people. I thought, “this is the right program for me.”

I really learned a lot from the responsive coaching sessions. They would come into my classroom and give me lots of feedback. The coaches were very knowledgeable about what we needed to be able to know and do. They’re veterans in the classroom, and that was great.

I had a difficult academic career through high school and college. Teaching is my way of trying to be “that person” in the classroom for my students, like those who supported me. This is about giving back to those students who don’t always believe in themselves, letting them know they’re smart enough to do this, to achieve their goals.