At Education Pioneers (EP), we believe in the power of storytelling to inspire and connect our Alumni community. Through Alumni Spotlights, we ask EP Alums to reflect on their journeys, the challenges they’ve faced, and the insights that continue to shape their work today.
After spending ten years in the classroom as a middle school ELA teacher, Nekishia Woods Dobbins (2023) was ready to extend her reach beyond the classroom.
The EP Fellowship helped Nekishia turn that interest into a new chapter of her career, leading her to Memphis Education Fund, a nonprofit that unites local partners to expand access to high-quality educational opportunities for students across the city. Her Fellowship experience gave her a broader perspective on how education systems operate and how she could contribute to improving outcomes for students. She remained at the organization after her Fellowship and currently serves as Senior Manager and Chief of Staff of Advocacy, Operations, and Communications.
Nekishia shares how the EP Impact Fellowship continues to shape her approach to leadership today and how future Fellows can make the most of the experiences and relationships that influence their professional journeys.
What did you learn in your Fellowship, and how has that impacted your career/leadership journey?
After a decade of teaching, I gained a much clearer understanding of both the incredible work happening in schools and the systemic challenges that can make that work harder. I knew I wanted to be part of education reform in some capacity, and I had heard about EP a few years before I finally applied. I almost counted myself out because teaching was my second career and the only professional experience I had in the education sector. I’m grateful I didn’t allow that uncertainty to keep me from applying.
At the heart of my decision to become an EP Fellow was a simple belief: every child deserves access to a high-quality education, regardless of their economic background, ethnicity, or ZIP code. As a native Memphian, I was especially interested in what it would take to make that access more equitable for students in my own community.
One of the most valuable parts of the EP Fellowship was the time spent looking beyond what is happening on the surface and asking what conditions created the sector’s most pressing problems in the first place.
Whether I am thinking about strategy, operations, advocacy, or student outcomes, that curiosity helps me approach problems more thoughtfully and, hopefully, develop solutions that address the cause rather than simply the symptom. That approach has become an important part of how I show up as a leader and how I continue to serve students and families here in Memphis.
What’s a recent accomplishment you’re particularly proud of, and how has it impacted your work or community?
I’m proud to have been named Board Chair of Gestalt Community Schools, a K-12 Memphis-based charter school network that was recently approved to expand into Jackson, Tennessee. Beginning in 2028, Gestalt will become a regional charter school network, making this an especially exciting and important time to help lead the Board.
This opportunity is deeply personal for me. Gestalt was the first charter school network I worked for as an educator, and there I developed an even greater appreciation for what thoughtful innovation in education could look like. I am especially proud to help steward its growth while protecting the values and commitment to students that made me believe in the organization in the first place.
Leading the Board is stretching me in meaningful ways. It has made me more intentional about governance, long-term strategy, accountability, and the responsibility that comes with making decisions that can shape the educational experience of hundreds of students and families. I have to think not only about what is best for students today, but also about how we build strong, sustainable schools for the future.
What’s one recent challenge you’ve faced in your career, and how did you overcome it?
I’ve found it challenging to accept that I cannot solve every problem alone, and that meaningful change in education cannot happen in isolation.
Education is an ecosystem. Schools, families, community organizations, funders, policymakers, educators, and advocates all bring different perspectives, resources, and areas of expertise. When we work in silos, even well-intentioned efforts can become fragmented or duplicative.
That realization has changed how I approach leadership. It has required humility: knowing when to lead, when to support, when to connect people and resources, and when to step aside so someone better positioned can move the work forward.
I am still deeply committed to solving problems, but I no longer believe leadership means solving them all myself. Sometimes the most impactful thing a leader can do is bring the right people together around a shared goal and create the conditions for collective action.
What advice would you give to a new EP Fellow or Alum as they embark on their leadership journey?
Stay curious, stay open, and do not underestimate the value of the experiences you are gaining right now.
Early in your career, it can be tempting to focus heavily on the next title, the next opportunity, or where you think you should be by a certain point. But the experiences that feel small or disconnected will become incredibly important later. Every role teaches you something.
Prioritize building relationships.
Education is deeply relational work, and some of the most meaningful opportunities in my career have come through people who knew my work, trusted my character, or saw potential in me before I saw it in myself. Invest in people without always asking what the relationship can do for you.
Finally, don’t talk yourself out of opportunities before someone else has a chance to consider you. Apply. Raise your hand. Ask the question. Take the stretch assignment. You do not have to meet every qualification or feel completely ready before stepping into something new.
EP believes in the power of mobilizing diverse, skilled professionals from inside and outside of the sector to tackle education’s complex challenges. If you’re an Alum looking to multiply your impact, you can get involved by referring a Fellow or hosting a Fellow at your organization.
About our Alumni Network
After completing their Fellowship, EP Fellows join our vibrant Alumni network made up of more than 4,900 connected change makers at every level of educational leadership. Learn more about the impact of our Alumni network here.