Guided by principles of cognitive science, we aim to equip future teachers with the tools to create rigorous, equitable, and inclusive classrooms – so that all children thrive.
There are 50 million PK-12 students in America, each deserving of teachers who honor and nurture their limitless potential, brilliance, and full humanity. But far too many students, and particularly historically marginalized students, are denied access to teachers who are equipped to engage them in rigorous and affirming learning experiences.
At the same time, the teaching profession has become more complex than ever. Growing teacher shortages and divisive political debates over schooling have impacted the strength and diversity of the educator workforce, putting the future of the profession at risk. While there are more ways than ever to become a teacher today, all pathways into teaching must prioritize instructional quality to better support the preparedness and retention of early-career teachers and reduce inequities that harm students.
Encouragingly, a growing movement of equity-focused state and national efforts is building hope and progress towards a better future for all students. Deans for Impact (DFI) has played a critical role in these change efforts, particularly to support educator-preparation programs and champion policy efforts to expand access to affordable, practice-based, and instructionally-focused pathways into teaching. Since 2015, we have worked with hundreds of teacher-educators, educator-preparation leaders, district and school partners, policymakers, and mission-aligned organizations to make instructional quality a priority in the way teachers are prepared:
Our mission is to ensure that every child is taught by a well-prepared teacher. Our vision is a transformed education system that equips teachers with the tools to create rigorous, equitable, and inclusive classrooms–so that all children thrive.