Apply today! Priority deadline: October 9, 2026
CitySchools Collaborative® (CSC) is seeking tutors, paraprofessionals, instructional aides, and other school-based staff who want to grow as educators and prepare for the future, and mentors ready to support them, for Year Three of the Talent-to-Teacher program.
Talent-to-Teacher (T2T) is CSC’s educator pipeline program, designed to strengthen and diversify the pipeline of future teachers by investing in the promising instructional talent already working in schools. Launched in 2024 in partnership with the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), T2T is now entering its third year and expanding into select communities in Maryland and Virginia. T2T helps participants grow in the roles they hold today while taking meaningful steps toward longer-term careers in education. Participants take part in a yearlong cohort experience that combines monthly professional learning, mentorship from experienced educators, individualized pathway advising, and connections to career opportunities. Alongside participants, CSC is recruiting mentors to support them.
“The [Talent-to-Teacher] program opened my eyes to see that I actually have a passion to teach and for students to understand and learn.” – T2T Participant
For Participants: Apply to Participate →
What you’ll get:
- Monthly virtual professional learning focused on strengthening instructional practice and building cultural competency
- Small-group mentoring with experienced educators
- Support exploring and navigating pathways into teaching and other school-based instructional roles
- Opportunities to learn alongside and build relationships with a cohort of other aspiring educators
- A $1,200 award upon successful completion of the program
Eligible if you:
- Have a strong interest in a future career in teaching or another school-based instructional role
- Hold a school-based role supporting school-day, small-group instruction during SY26–27 (including those hired or placed by external education partners, and those hired or placed directly by their LEA or school)
- Serve public or public charter K–12 students in Washington, D.C.; Maryland (Baltimore City or Prince George’s County); or Virginia (Alexandria City, Arlington County, Fairfax County, or Richmond City). Recruitment continues through CSC’s education partners, but you don’t need to work with a specific education partner to participate. Talent-to-Teacher is open to all.
Commitment:
Sessions are held monthly, virtually, 4:30–6:30 pm, on Tuesdays: December 15, 2026; January 12, 2027; February 9, 2027; March 16, 2027; April 6, 2027; May 4, 2027
For Mentors: Apply to Mentor →
Mentors lead a small group of up to six mentees in interactive, discussion-based sessions, setting the direction based on what their mentees need and responding to their growth, questions, and aspirations in real time.
- What you’ll get: A $1,000 stipend for the year
- Eligible if you: Serve public or public charter K–12 students in Washington, D.C.; Maryland (Baltimore City or Prince George’s County); or Virginia (Alexandria City, Arlington County, Fairfax County, or Richmond City)
- Commitment: Five group mentoring sessions, 45 minutes each, held virtually immediately following the monthly learning session, 5:45–6:30 pm, on Tuesdays: December 15, 2026; January 12, 2027; February 9, 2027; March 16, 2027; April 6, 2027
Apply today! Priority deadline: October 9, 2026. Applications close October 18, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is CitySchools Collaborative?
As DC’s trusted partner in citywide initiatives in tutoring, talent, and truancy, CitySchools Collaborative’s mission is to catalyze high-impact tutoring and strategic talent models to serve thousands of students. Its coalition-building approach and innovative solutions improve student well-being, accelerate academic performance, and enhance flexible staffing systems in schools to help create a public education system that serves and empowers all children. To learn more about CitySchools Collaborative, visit cityschoolscollab.org.
What is the Talent-to-Teacher program?
Talent-to-Teacher (T2T) is CitySchools Collaborative’s educator pipeline program, designed to strengthen and diversify the pipeline of future teachers by investing in the promising instructional talent already working in schools. The program supports school-based instructional staff, including tutors, paraprofessionals, instructional aides, and other staff working directly with students, who are interested in pursuing teaching or other school-based instructional roles. T2T helps participants grow in the roles they hold today while taking meaningful steps toward longer-term careers in education.
Am I eligible for Talent-to-Teacher?
You are eligible if you have a strong interest in a future career in teaching or another school-based instructional role, hold a school-based role supporting school-day, small-group instruction during SY26–27 (including those hired or placed by external education partners, and those hired or placed directly by their LEA or school), and serve public or public charter K–12 students in an eligible geography.
What regions are eligible?
Washington, D.C.: Public and public charter schools across DC. Maryland: Baltimore City or Prince George’s County public or public charter schools. Virginia: Alexandria City, Arlington County, Fairfax County, or Richmond City public or public charter schools.
Is Talent-to-Teacher only for people who already work in a school?
Yes. Talent-to-Teacher is for tutors, paraprofessionals, instructional aides, and other school-based staff already supporting school-day, small-group instruction during SY26–27, including those hired or placed by external education partners, and those hired or placed directly by their LEA or school.
Do I need to work for a specific education partner?
No. Recruitment continues through CSC’s education partners, but applicants do not need to work with a specific education partner to participate. The program is open to all.
What will I get as a Talent-to-Teacher participant?
Monthly virtual professional learning focused on strengthening instructional practice and building cultural competency. Small-group mentoring with experienced educators, and support exploring and navigating pathways into teaching and other school-based instructional roles. Opportunities to learn alongside and build relationships with a cohort of other aspiring educators. A $1,200 award upon successful completion of the program.
How much time does Talent-to-Teacher require?
Participants attend monthly virtual learning sessions, 4:30–6:30 pm on Tuesdays, which include a monthly virtual mentor group session from 5:45–6:30 pm. Sessions are held on the following dates:
- Tuesday, December 15, 2026
- Tuesday, January 12, 2027
- Tuesday, February 9, 2027
- Tuesday, March 16, 2027
- Tuesday, April 6, 2027
- Tuesday, May 4, 2027
How do I become a mentor?
You’re eligible to mentor if you serve public or public charter K–12 students in Washington, D.C.; Maryland (Baltimore City or Prince George’s County); or Virginia (Alexandria City, Arlington County, Fairfax County, or Richmond City). Mentors lead a small group of up to six mentees in interactive, discussion-based sessions, held virtually immediately following monthly learning sessions. Compensation is a $1,000 stipend for the year. Apply to Mentor →
When are applications open?
Applications are open now and close October 18, 2026. Priority deadline: October 9, 2026.
