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EDUCATION FOCUS AREA

EXCELLENT EDUCATORS

Teacher and grade school student

Quality teaching is paramount to student learning.

Teachers deserve the kind of training that will support them in leading effective classrooms from day one.

Research shows that the top factor driving students’ learning in school is the skill of their teacher. It also shows that all students benefit from diversity, and particularly racial diversity, among teachers. Yet, too few teachers receive the high-quality training they deserve, while teachers of color remain drastically underrepresented in the American teaching force.

What We Do

Teachers in a cheerful discussion

Supporting efforts to build a skilled, diverse teacher workforce is at the center of our work. We are deeply invested in recruiting and retaining more teachers and education leaders of color by providing them with the training and support they deserve.

We also believe that teaching, like many of our most skilled professions, requires practice-based preparation. We support efforts to help teachers both at the beginning of their careers and throughout their time in the classroom develop the knowledge, skills and mindsets to empower their students to meet college and career-ready standards.

Core to this work is equipping teachers to value and respect all students in the classroom and provide them with a meaningful and affirming education appropriate to their grade level.

+ 19%

Increase in intentions of going to college among Black students with at least one Black teacher in grades three through eight. (Source)

43%

Of public school students are Black or Latino. (Source)

21%

Of public school educators are teachers of color. (Source)

4%

Of public school superintendents identify as Black or Latino. (Source)

Our Approach

We aim to build an educator workforce that mirrors the diversity of the students they serve and is prepared to support their students in meeting grade-level standards.

Supporting teacher preparation

We invest in innovative models and programs for preparing and supporting teachers in developing their craft, including teacher residencies. We also fund organizations that partner with university-based schools of education—where a large proportion of teachers today receive their preparation—to drive innovation in the way teacher preparation works.  

Investing in professional learning

We fund organizations that provide teachers with ongoing professional development, including coaching, mentoring, leadership training and other collaborative learning opportunities. 

Diversifying the educator pipeline

We invest in efforts to recruit and retain more teachers and education leaders of color. As part of this work, we aim to reduce barriers to entry into the teaching profession and ensure more students of color see teaching as a viable option for a thriving career in the education field.

Our Grantees

Student learning starts with great teachers. We are proud to support a range of outstanding organizations and initiatives that develop and support excellent educators in transforming student outcomes.

View more Education grantees
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Shaping Outstanding Teachers and Leaders

Through an immersive theory and practice residency program, Alder Graduate School of Education helps educators advance positive social change.

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Rethinking Professional Learning

Teaching Lab invests in deep, research and evidence-based teacher training that centers on equity to support improved student learning.

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Advancing Effective Professional Development

Leading Educators focuses on high-quality professional development for teachers to help them lead classrooms where every student can thrive.