Humble. Relentlessly student focused. Curious. Kind.
These are some of the words that come to mind when I think of Peter Tang.
For the last 15 years, Peter was committed to improving the educational outcomes of Tennessee’s historically underserved students. As he was fighting for improved student success, Peter was also in another, more personal fight. In 2017, Peter was diagnosed with sarcoma; a recent recurrence over the last year changed the course of his fight with cancer.
Our friend and Senior Director of Research at SCORE, Peter passed away on Christmas Day leaving our SCORE team and so many education partners in Tennessee and across the country heartbroken. Peter’s impact is a reminder to each of us that with a fierce focus on what is good for students and a curiosity about how education can be improved in our country, people can make real and lasting change.
Peter gave his entire professional career to serving Tennessee students. He joined Teach For America and started his career in Memphis, spending five years teaching students in Memphis City Schools, the Achievement School District, and Shelby County Schools. Peter joined SCORE in 2015 and for the last 10 years was an integral part of our team, shaping and molding the organization and our work.
First as a member and later as leader of SCORE’s Tennessee Educator Fellowship, Peter influenced, counseled, mentored, and coached hundreds of classroom teachers on using their voice and perspective to advocate for their students and for good education policy. As one former educator fellow recently said, “Peter was key in developing me into the advocate and leader I am today. He helped me find and refine my voice.”
As a leader working on education policy and research, Peter closely analyzed student data and academic research to elevate challenges for students and policy solutions that could improve outcomes. One colleague recently noted: “Peter’s questions were big questions, with challenging and uncertain paths to answers. But they were always, always the right questions.”
As our Senior Director of Research, Peter was a key leader in Tennessee’s efforts to transform K-12 education funding — changes that resulted in a doubling of the state’s investment in schools that serve high numbers of economically disadvantaged students. A SCORE partner recently said of Peter: “He was my best teacher and advisor on school finance, knowing I had never taken a single course but treating me as an equal always.”
Finally, Peter was a humble leader. Without much fanfare he coached and supported dozens of young people who wanted to pursue careers in education policy, providing wisdom and mentorship through SCORE’s graduate fellowship program and through his own passion to help others grow personally and professionally. Another SCORE partner recently attributed their career and knowledge in Tennessee education to Peter. “I truly don’t know if I’d be where I am without his guidance and support,” they noted.
Our work — the work we do with each of you — was near to Peter’s heart. Our team at SCORE commits to continuing Peter’s legacy and spirit by showing up with humility, always focusing on what’s best for students, leading with curiosity, and believing with optimism that all students in Tennessee can achieve and succeed at a high level when we provide the opportunities and supports they deserve.
Learn more about Peter and join us in celebrating his life. We invite you to share your own memories of Peter at the online memorial board.
Peter requested that anyone wishing to donate to a cause on his behalf do so to the following two organizations: