City Year Detroit School Partner Spotlight – Elizabeth Toye

City Year Detroit’s school team at Cody High School nominated Elizabeth Toye for our School Partner Spotlight because of her passion for teaching our youth and the intentional connections she creates with her students. This 9th-grade algebra teacher is also a City Year alum who served at City Year Chicago in 2018-2019 and Teach for America in 2019-2021. She credits City Year for helping her navigate her way into teaching and a career in education. Ms. Toye believes in the mission and purpose of City Year, as shown in her collaboration with the AmeriCorps members who support her classroom space. We asked Ms. Toye some questions to help you get to know this remarkable City Year alum.

1. How many years have you been in education?

I’ve been in education for 6 years. 1 year with City Year and 5 years as a teacher.

2. What’s the most rewarding part of being a teacher?

The most rewarding part of teaching for me so far has been watching students blossom throughout the school year. It’s always amazing to see how much a kid can grow throughout the school year academically and socially. Also, it always makes my day when an old student reaches out to me to tell me how well they’re doing at their new school and thank me for helping them get there.

3. How do you work with City Year at your school?

I have two City Year AmeriCorps members that I work with daily. They help me so much with my daily instruction by working with kids one-on-one or in small groups to answer their questions. Being in my class every day, they have been able to give me great feedback to help me improve my instruction to better meet students’ needs. Collaborating with them to create my SEL lesson plans has also been a great help. They bring fresh ideas to the table and make my job easier. They are truly God sent!

4. What’s a fun fact about you?

A fun fact about me is that I have a fraternal twin.

Thank you, Ms. Toye, for your dedication to students at Cody High School!