STRENGTHENING THE FUTURE EDUCATOR WORKFORCE
Across public education, schools face persistent challenges building and sustaining a strong educator pipeline. CitySchools Collaborative’s Talent-to-Teacher (T2T) program invests in tutors, paraprofessionals, instructional aides, and other school-based staff who are interested in growing as educators. Through professional learning, mentorship, and individualized pathway support, T2T helps participants strengthen their skills today and prepare for future school-based roles and pathways to teaching. Originally launched in DC, the program is expanding to select communities in Maryland and Virginia.
Talent-to-Teacher
Launched in 2024 in partnership with the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), Talent-to-Teacher is now entering its third year and expanding into select communities in Maryland and Virginia. Participants take part in a yearlong cohort experience that combines monthly professional learning, mentorship from experienced educators, individualized pathway advising, and connections to school-based career opportunities.
With Talent-to-Teacher, Participants:
- Grow as educators through monthly professional learning designed to strengthen their skills and prepare them for future opportunities in education.
- Learn alongside experienced educator mentors who provide guidance, insight, and support throughout the program.
- Receive individualized pathway advising to understand and navigate options for school-based roles, apprenticeships, educator preparation, and credentialing.
- Connect to career opportunities that support their next steps in education.
[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.”
–2024-25 program participant
Program Impact
Talent-to-Teacher is designed to strengthen the educator pipeline by helping participants grow in their current roles and take meaningful steps toward future opportunities in education. We track participants’ growth, career plans, and progression into school-based roles and pathways to teaching.
- 118 participants have taken part in the Talent-to-Teacher program to date
- 81% of 2025–26 participants planned to remain in school-based roles the following school year
- 89% of participants reported that their mentors improved their instructional skills
Partners
Talent-to-Teacher is made possible through partnerships with schools, school systems, tutoring providers, and other organizations working to strengthen the educator pipeline. Partners support participant recruitment, professional learning, mentorship, and connections to career pathways. Partners have included:
- Blueprint Schools Network
- Center for Black Educator Development
- City Year
- DC Prep Public Charter School
- Friendship Public Charter Schools
- George Washington University
- Raising a Village Foundation
- Reading Assist
- Reading Partners
- GO Tutor Corps
- KIPP DC
- Multicultural Career Intern Program (MCIP)
- National Association of Black Male Educators
- Office of the State Superintendent of Education
Contact Us
* indicates required