Backrs
Backrs and partner leaders at the 2026 NCAN Conference

TFA Summit and NCAN Conference Recap: Change is brewing!

Reflections, highlights, and big takeaways from the TFA 35th Anniversary Summit and NCAN National Conference.

3 min read
Backrs News
NCAN
Teach For America
career readiness
student success

By Courtney Kelly

We had an amazing time at both the TFA Summit and the NCAN National Conference.

From meeting with partners to connecting with leaders across our sector and sharing our perspective on stage, these events gave us the chance to move the college and career readiness conversation forward alongside like-minded innovators.

Reflection: Our sector is asking the right questions

Andy Bobowski speaking to attendees at the NCAN National Conference

One thing was abundantly clear during our Co-Founder, Andy Bobowski's talks: His message resonated. Our sector is realizing that graduation is not the finish line—we need to champion our students' aspirations all the way to a strong career launch.

Highlight: NCAN's Closing Plenary

Andy introduced NCAN's Closing Plenary, a panel discussion led by Jarian Kerekes, head of Social Impact and Community Engagement at Equitable. Panelists included:

  • Lindsey Graves, Senior Director of College Success at the Carolina Youth Coalition, one of our partners.
  • Taylor Pratt, Senior Director of Career & Affordability at Achieve Atlanta, another one of our partners.
  • Elijah Pearson, a Carolina Youth Coalition and Backrs Scholar.
  • Re'Onna Vines, an Achieve Atlanta and Backrs Scholar.

All shared how Backrs has advanced their mission or championed their aspirations. To hear such positive feedback about what we've built on the main stage?

“Honored” doesn't even begin to cut it. We're filled with a profound sense of fulfillment, deep gratitude to our partners, immense pride in our students' hard work, and further motivation to keep building.

Watch a clip from the conversation:

Big takeaway: Gratitude and momentum

Thank you to TFA and NCAN for the chance to spend quality time with our partners and meet others working to close the education-to-employment gap. It was incredible to be surrounded by so many forward-thinking people who are as invested in students' futures as we are.

Let's keep the momentum going. Let's build a system that enables students to turn their education into careers—and lives—they love.

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