$1.5 million grant to train and support over 450 teachers in DFW by 2020
URBAN TEACHERS, A LEADING NATIONAL nonprofit teacher preparation program, has been awarded a $1.5 million grant from the W.W. Caruth Jr. Foundation at Communities Foundation of Texas to recruit, train and support 450 aspiring teachers over the next 3 years in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Urban Teachers’ residents will teach in local Dallas ISD, Uplift Education and KIPP DFW schools. Prior to becoming a lead teacher, participants complete a 14-month residency under the supervision of a host teacher and with the coaching of Johns Hopkins clinical faculty. During the 4-year commitment, residents earn both their master’s degree in education from Johns Hopkins as well as certifications in ESL and Special Education areas.
“Urban Teachers’ commitment to data-driven teacher preparation, demonstration of effective teaching practice and focus on underserved students’ achievement will secure a better future for our students,” said Monica Egert Smith, CFT’s senior director of strategic philanthropy.
Urban Teachers’ 4-year program addresses two of the most pressing teaching challenges in Dallas-Fort Worth: the need for a pipeline of highly qualified teachers and the need to retain them to create a stable workforce.
“We only recommend candidates for their teaching certification after they demonstrate two full years of effectiveness as a lead teacher,” said Emily Verret Nolen, Executive Director of Urban Teachers DFW. “Our top priority is delivering meaningful results for the students of Dallas-Fort Worth.”