Meet Sohni Syed

NYC Director of Programs & Community Outreach, New York City | ssyed@yesscholars.org

Sohni grew up in Lake Charles, Louisiana and attended Tulane University in New Orleans, where she obtained a B.S. in Psychology and English and an M.A. in English Literature. Upon graduation, she joined Teach for America as a special education high school teacher at an all-girls NYC DOE school in South Brooklyn. She earned an M.A. in Teaching from Relay Graduate School of Education. Throughout her five years as an educator, she gained experience teaching grades 9-12 across all four core content areas (English, Math, Social Studies, and Science).

Regardless of the course, she always ensured that her pedagogy was rooted in culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and anti-racist teaching. She also co-founded the school's Equity Team, served as chair of the Professional Learning Committee, advised the Student Equity Council, and founded the South Asian Students affinity space. Outside the classroom, Sohni has held positions with Teach for America in New York City as a Mentor Teacher, Alumni Ambassador, and Teaching for Educational Equity Advisor. She is passionate about equity in education and building youth-adult partnerships to empower the next generation of diverse leaders.