Mikisha Nation is taking the helm of Teach for America-Twin Cities, the program that annually trains students who teach in classrooms with many minority or low-income students.

Fifteen local school districts and charter networks work with TFA, including schools like Minneapolis Public Schools, Hiawatha Academies, Higher Ground Academy and KIPP Minnesota, according to a TFA release. Nation will head up more than 40 Teach for America corps members, plus nearly 700 alumni.

She was most recently executive director at Breakthrough Twin Cities, which helps prepare students for college and "cultivates the next generation of educators," according to its website. While she was chief there, the program doubled the number of youth it was helping to about 500 students.

In the TFA release, Nation pinpointed her goals of greatest importance: "to foster a diverse teacher and leadership pipeline, and build school and community partnerships."

"I believe in the power of the Twin Cities community," Nation said in the release. "Working together, we will ensure that all children have the opportunity to attain an excellent education."

Above: Mikisha Nation. Photo courtesy of Teach for America-Twin Cities.