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All students deserve a skilled, diverse educator workforce.
Teachers play a vital role in delivering literacy instruction that unlocks student achievement. In addition to the quality of their teacher’s instruction, all students benefit from access to a diverse educator workforce.
Research shows that students of color, in particular, achieve greater outcomes when they have access to teachers who share their racial, ethnic, linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Unfortunately, there is a significant shortage of teachers of color in U.S. schools. Many students of color may never experience having a teacher who shares their background during their entire time in school.
We support organizations dedicated to ensuring that every student has access to skilled, diverse teachers and leaders.
What We Do
We aim to build a skilled educator workforce that reflects the diversity of U.S. school communities and provides students with affirming and engaging literacy instruction.
To achieve this goal, we invest in organizations committed to creating new pathways into the profession for aspiring teachers and supporting their ongoing development.
We also support programs that create pathways for skilled educators to advance into leadership roles within their schools and districts, encouraging long-term retention in the education field.
Our Approach
Developing a skilled, diverse workforce requires investing in educators from their entry into the profession through their progression to leadership positions.
Strengthening the teacher pipeline
We invest in innovative pipeline and preparation programs that address common barriers to entering the profession while maintaining a strong focus on quality. These efforts also aim to inspire more students to see teaching as a viable and worthwhile career choice.
Developing aspiring leaders
We fund organizations that support the retention and advancement of skilled educators, with the goal of ensuring leaders in education increasingly reflect the students and communities they serve.
Creating enabling conditions
We invest in organizations working across policy, research and communications to create the conditions for a more skilled, diverse educator workforce in local communities.
Our Grantees
We fund organizations and initiatives working to strengthen and diversify the educator workforce. Meet some of our grantees.
View more grantees in our Education Grantmaking portfolio
Preparing Educators
Reach University strengthens and diversifies the educator pipeline through accredited apprenticeship-based degrees.
Expanding the Influence of Representative Teachers
The Black Teacher Collaborative (BTC) engages, supports and develops Black educators to ensure their communities are prepared to achieve at high levels.
Bringing Together Male Education Leaders
Men of Color in Education Leadership (MCEL) convenes male education leaders of color for professional development and networking.