Deans for Impact (DFI)

There’s a pervasive belief that teaching early elementary math is “easy.” That couldn’t be further from the truth. Early elementary teachers lay the critical foundations for students to succeed in math later on. To do this well, educator preparation programs need to support aspiring teachers to develop deep math content and instructional knowledge—not just to teach concepts, but to see the connections between what students are learning now and what they’ll need later. They also need to identify and address the small misunderstandings that can snowball into big learning gaps. Our new Early Numeracy by Scientific Design Network is working to prepare teachers to meet this challenge, ensuring they’re ready to teach early math in ways that build understanding, confidence, and long-term success. We’re excited that reporter Sarah Schwartz at Education Week spotlighted this important work and hope it sparks more conversations about improving math education nationwide. 🔗 Read the article here: https://lnkd.in/dj7ikvUx

Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Programs (RTAPs) are changing how we build the educator workforce – and today, we’ve released the first detailed look at these programs in Texas. Read our new RTAPs report and sign up for our new LinkedIn newsletter:

In 2024, we reached new milestones together, including:  🔖 equipping 60,000 educators with tools, resources, and instructional support 🛣️ mobilizing hundreds of teacher-educators and leaders to advocate for high-quality pathways into teaching in their communities 🤝 partnering with 12 national coalitions and campaigns to advance public action for a stronger educator workforce These shared efforts are helping prepare more new teachers with the knowledge and skills to effectively teach students, grounded in the science of how children learn. 🧠 As we reflect on this year’s achievements, we are deeply grateful to our partners and supporters who make this impact possible. Access our year-end report to see our biggest headlines of 2024: https://lnkd.in/g7kYTcSk

We’re thrilled to expand how we’re engaging with educators, leaders, and changemakers by joining Bluesky Social. Follow us at @deansforimpact.bsky.social for: 📚 Insights on transforming teacher preparation 💡 Updates on our programs and partnerships 🌍 Conversations about efforts to diversify the teacher workforce, innovation, and the future of teacher education Whether you’re already on Bluesky or just curious about the platform, we’d love to connect with you there! 👉 Join us on Bluesky: https://lnkd.in/ddyXye9d 

We are launching the Early Numeracy by Scientific Design Network to transform teacher preparation in K-3 math instruction in Texas. With support from the TLL Temple Foundation, we’re partnering with Sam Houston State University, Stephen F. Austin State University, and Texas A&M University-Texarkana to equip aspiring educators with the tools to teach foundational math skills effectively. Strong math skills are essential for future success, yet recent data shows alarming declines in proficiency. Through this effort, we’re: ✔️ Developing evidence-based instructional modules ✔️ Building a shared understanding of current teacher preparation practices ✔️ Fostering collaboration through learning communities “Through this network, we are ensuring that aspiring teachers are not only grounded in evidence-based mathematics but also equipped with the instructional tools they need to reach every student effectively.” - Amber Willis, PhD, Vice President of Program, DFI Together, we’re ensuring every student has the opportunity to excel in math. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/ePFGykbw

Our Senior Program Director, Dr. Jim Heal, will be presenting at the 2024 Annual Conference for Learning Forward in Denver, Colorado! Join this session, co-presented with Meg Lee of Frederick County Public Schools and Academica University of Applied Sciences, on Tuesday, December 10, from 9:30–11:30 a.m., where they will explore how subtle shifts grounded in learning science can transform teaching and learning in your school or district. In this interactive session, participants will: ✔️ Learn how a model of the mind explains how learning happens and its implications for instruction. ✔️ Identify key learning science principles that drive equity and instructional effectiveness. ✔️ Analyze successful strategies for applying evidence-to-practice in teacher induction and professional learning. Whether you're looking to develop evidence-informed educators or strengthen your system’s ability to recruit and retain excellent teachers, this session offers actionable insights for all education leaders. https://lnkd.in/dmvb6vqR

This Thanksgiving season, we’re reflecting on the immense gratitude we have for everyone tirelessly working to prepare the next generation of teachers. 🍂 During our recent visit to #edprep program partners National Louis University and Marian University Indianapolis, we had the privilege of interviewing current and aspiring teachers, mentor teachers, teacher-educators, and leaders, and seeing them channel joy and perseverance amidst the deep complexity of teaching and learning. Each conversation renewed our optimism for how diverse pathways into teaching can contribute to more effective and resilient educators. At DFI, we hold a bold vision for what it means to be a well-prepared teacher—a vision rooted in evidence and shaped by the needs of the students and communities we serve. To all the teacher-educators empowering future teachers, the mentor teachers guiding them with wisdom, the leaders advocating for better educational opportunities for all students, and the aspiring teachers stepping into this profession with purpose-driven vision: Thank you 🙌 . Your work is transforming lives and building brighter futures for students. 📹 Check out this behind-the-scenes video from our latest learning visits, where we captured the vibrant energy of our collective work in action.

📚 Spotlight on Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Programs 📚 This #NAW2024, we're proud to highlight the impactful work of three of our partner educator-preparation programs (EPPs) that are shaping the future of teacher preparation through Registered Apprenticeships. These programs are paving the way for aspiring educators to earn while they learn, ensuring a diverse and highly-skilled teacher workforce. Check out how each program is making a difference: 1️⃣ Dallas College – Through their innovative apprenticeship model, Dallas College is addressing teacher shortages by providing on-the-job training and mentorship, offering a sustainable pathway to teaching. Learn more about their approach in this case study from our friends at Educate Texas https://lnkd.in/dTV77FxC 2️⃣ Austin Peay State University – APSU was the first program in the nation to become registered with the U.S. Department of Labor, paving the way for many programs to come. Read more about their groundbreaking work: https://lnkd.in/ehd4UB_q 3️⃣ Virginia State University – VSU's HERO program (Helping Educators Reach Outcomes) provides a powerful pipeline for high-quality, diverse teachers, particularly focusing on communities with historically low teacher representation. Explore their initiative: https://lnkd.in/dg5fyVxE These programs, along with so many others in our #EPPCollaborative, demonstrate the incredible potential of Registered Apprenticeships in teaching to support aspiring educators and help them thrive in the classroom. #NAW2024

At DFI, we’re proud to advance high-quality, affordable pathways into teaching through Registered Apprenticeship programs. In partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor we co-chaired The Pathways Alliance working group that developed the National Guideline Standards (NGS) for K-12 Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Programs—a significant milestone that provides a robust framework for states establishing these innovative programs. With quality in mind, the NGS emphasizes essential training components like mentorship, structured learning experiences, and alignment with proven learning standards. The standards set the floor for what quality can look like in this relatively new pathway into teaching and ensure that teachers enact instruction grounded in a scientific understanding of how students learn. These Registered Apprenticeships empower aspiring educators to earn while they learn, combining coursework with structured, paid classroom experiences alongside mentor teachers. This model is especially critical in removing financial and logistical barriers, opening doors to the profession for people of color, paraprofessionals, and those with valuable classroom experience. 45 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico have so far established Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Programs, braiding and blending resources and support to address teacher shortages and diversify the educator workforce. We’re honored to collaborate with our partners to support and scale these programs, helping create the next generation of effective, diverse educators. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/ekQxE2FS #NAW2024

We're celebrating the one-year anniversary of our National Registered Apprenticeship in Teaching Educator-Preparation Program (EPP) Collaborative! In partnership with the National Center for Grow Your Own, we're proud to co-lead this initiative which connects educator-preparation programs across the U.S. to build sustainable, high-quality teacher apprenticeship pathways. Through this Collaborative, we: - Build a shared understanding of regulatory and financial needs for Registered Apprenticeships. - Connect EPP leaders who are pioneering this pathway and scaling successful programs. - Elevate stories from EPPs that reflect the diversity of perspectives and experiences in education, all working to make a meaningful difference for students. With 77 programs across 29 states, we’re fostering a community dedicated to ensuring that every student has access to an effective, diverse educator. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dTrAwE24