Bibi Yasmin Katsev Of Teach For America Dallas Fort Worth On The 5 Things Parents Can Do To Help Their Children Thrive and Excel In School
An Interview With Jake Frankel
Build strong routines — Consistent sleep, study, and screen-time habits set students up for success. I have set up nightly routines for my children that help us all go to bed with ease.
School is really not easy these days. Many students have been out of school for a long time because of the pandemic, and the continued disruptions and anxieties are still breaking the flow of normal learning. What can parents do to help their children thrive and excel in school, particularly during these challenging and anxiety-provoking times?
To address this, we started a new series called ‘5 Things Parents Can Do To Help Their Children Thrive and Excel In School.” In this interview series, we are talking to teachers, principals, education experts, and successful parents to learn from their insights and experience.
As a part of this interview series, I had the pleasure to interview Bibi Yasmin Katsev.
With nearly a decade serving in the education policy and non-profit sector, Bibi Yasmin Katsev brings her bold vision and passion for education to her role as Executive Director of Teach For America Dallas Fort Worth.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dive in, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us a bit about your “backstory”?
Absolutely! I grew up in Miami, Florida, raised by Iranian and German parents, which gave me a deep appreciation for different perspectives and cultures. I always knew I wanted to work in public service, and education became my passion when I saw how policy decisions shape opportunities for kids. My career has taken me from the Texas Senate to the Texas Education Agency to leading education reform efforts statewide — now, I’m honored to serve as the Executive Director of Teach For America Dallas-Fort Worth.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
One of the most eye-opening moments in my journey was visiting a school in South Texas that had undergone a complete transformation through community-driven innovation, known as the Rural Schools Innovation Zone. This school went from struggling to thriving because educators, families, and local business leaders came together to redesign learning in a way that truly expanded opportunities for students. By providing high-quality CTE courses, they didn’t just change the curriculum — they created opportunities for students.
Listening to students speak about their hands-on experiences in welding, nursing, and electrical engineering classrooms made it clear that education can and should be so much more than students sitting in rows or circles. It should be dynamic, relevant, and deeply connected to real-world possibilities.
That experience reinforced a critical lesson for me: solutions in education must be built with — not just for — the communities we serve. And at the center of it all, every decision we make must be guided by the question: Is this truly good for kids?
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
I always return to this quote: “Don’t be in the business of playing it safe.” Life’s challenges are complex, and we must be adaptable while staying laser-focused on our mission and work. Whether it’s policy, school leadership, or nonprofit work, this mindset has helped me overcome obstacles while remaining committed to students’ success.
We need to look at challenges as an opportunity to grow and find solutions, as opposed to a closed door or a missed opportunity. I like to take risks and try something new, in hopes that there is a new way of thinking or working together.
You are a successful leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
Negotiating well — I believe it is essential to understand everyone’s viewpoint, approach, and needs to move forward in negotiation. I learned much from my time in the Capitol: we cannot accomplish anything without common ground. Always having the ability to see everyone’s perspective is vital for success. Time — Understanding time and time management is also crucial for balancing both life and professional worlds and, with that, prioritizing your time to what matters to you most.
Goal Setting — Setting goals for yourself in each area allows you to set priorities for which you need time. It also allows you to keep track of your progress and hold yourself accountable for your actions.
Are you working on any exciting new projects now? How do you think that will help people?
Yes! At TFA DFW, we are doubling down on efforts to recruit and develop more driven educators. We’re also strengthening partnerships across the Metroplex to expand student opportunities. This work directly impacts economic mobility. Students with access to quality education are more likely to graduate high school, pursue higher education, and secure stable employment, thereby breaking cycles of poverty.
For the benefit of our readers, can you tell us a bit about why you are an authority on how to help children succeed in school?
I’ve worked in education policy, nonprofit leadership, and school transformation at every level — local, state, and national. But more than anything, I listen to students, educators, and families. Understanding their lived experiences makes me most confident in driving solutions that work.
Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the main focus of our interview. Can you help articulate the main challenges that students face today that make it difficult to succeed in school?
The potential is equally distributed across lines of race and class, but opportunity is not. Many students face systemic barriers, such as underfunded schools, teacher shortages, and economic instability. Additionally, the pandemic deepened learning gaps, and we must be strategic about recovery efforts.
Can you suggest a few reforms that you think schools should make to help students thrive and excel?
Invest in teachers — High-quality teachers are the backbone of great schools. We need better support, training, and compensation to retain them.
Expand high-impact tutoring — Small-group, research-backed interventions accelerate learning, especially for students who need it most.
Strengthen college and career pathways — More students need access to internships, dual-credit courses, and CTE classes/training.
Can you please share your “5 Things Parents Can Do To Help Their Children Thrive and Excel In School?”
Read together daily — Even 20 minutes a day can transform literacy skills. I’ve seen this simple habit dramatically improve students’ academic confidence. This is something we do every day with our boys at home.
Encourage curiosity — Learning happens beyond the classroom. Ask open-ended questions, visit museums, or explore new topics together. I love finding learning opportunities with my boys, like visiting our library or going on nature walks in our community.
Build strong routines — Consistent sleep, study, and screen-time habits set students up for success. I have set up nightly routines for my children that help us all go to bed with ease.
Advocate for their education — Attend school meetings, understand their curriculum, and connect with teachers. It is important to partner with your child’s teacher and support the work from the classroom into your home.
Model a growth mindset — Teach kids that mistakes are part of learning. Celebrating effort helps them develop resilience. I truly believe grit in our children is the most valuable asset for success in their lives.
As you know, teachers play such a huge role in shaping young lives. What would you suggest needs to be done to attract top talent to the education field?
We need to elevate teaching as a respected, well-compensated profession. Competitive pay, leadership opportunities, and robust mentorship programs will make a difference. People enter this work to make an impact — let’s ensure they have the support they need to thrive.
We are blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US, with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them 🙂
I would love to have a private meal with Reshma Saujani. She is the current CEO of Girls Who Code and of Moms First. I loved how she went from working in the finance world to politics and even into the nonprofit world to advocate for women and girls. As a young mom, it is empowering to see other women who lift each other up and support our ambitious goals while allowing us also to find gratitude in motherhood. A conversation with her would be both empowering and a great call to action for me.
I would also never turn down an opportunity to chat one-on-one with Taylor Swift! She’s super empowering to young women and girls everywhere.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
You can follow Teach For America Dallas-Fort Worth on Instagram (@TFADFW) and LinkedIn!
Thank you so much for these insights! This was so inspiring!
Thank you for the opportunity.
Bibi Yasmin Katsev Of Teach For America Dallas Fort Worth On The 5 Things Parents Can Do To Help… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.