TNTP Blog

After a Long Summer, We’re Reflecting on the Power of Talented People

The summer of 2017 was unlike any in recent memory. In recent weeks, thousands of American students, parents, teachers, and leaders have returned to school amid the chaos of natural disasters—if they can return to their schools at all. Thousands more spent their summers shaken by man-made disasters engineered by political leaders who don’t value the lives of many millions of Americans. It can be challenging to celebrate the progress being made in public school systems, but when I take a moment to step back and reflect, I'm reminded that uncertain times often create space for fresh thinking and new approaches.  

At TNTP, celebrating public schools means celebrating people—the students we serve, and the adults who help them pursue their goals. In practice, that means that as a key part of our work in talent, academics, policy, and community engagement, we spend thousands of hours every year helping public school systems across the country recruit, train and support the talented teachers and leaders they need to make sure their students have a great experience at school every day.

We've long known that talented people are some of the most important school-based factors in student achievement. What we're beginning to understand—and what research confirms—is how important it is that teachers and leaders come to the profession from a variety of backgrounds and life experiences. In the words of Jose Romero, a talented high school senior who interned at TNTP this summer, “Learning from someone who reflects who you are is one of the best things a kid can experience.”

Unfortunately, as we survey the field of education, we see a profession surrounded by unnecessary barriers to entry— literacy tests, seat time requirements, and more—that tell us nothing about whether an adult is prepared to fulfill their most important role in school: helping students learn. That's why we've spent years tailoring an approach to teacher and school leader preparation that certifies only the talented people who have proven, with real students and teams of teachers, that they can deliver the challenging lessons and instructional vision that our schools need to help all students succeed.

Today we're proud to share some results from our Summer 2017 training programs. From coast to coast, TNTP has so far helped prepare 1,800 teachers and 66 leaders. They've all passed our rigorous performance screening—which predicts effectiveness in schools and classrooms—and have demonstrated that they are ready for success in the communities where they are needed most. These talented people are entering the profession from all walks of life—and the majority are teachers and leaders of color whose experiences and perspectives often resonate powerfully in the communities they serve.

Congratulations to all. We look forward to watching—and learning from—everything you achieve with your students. 

Learn more about our teacher and leader training programs in the slideshow below, featuring images shared on social media by participants across the country.

Imali Ariyarathne, seventh-grade teacher at Langston Hughes Academy, stands in front of her students while introducing them to the captivating world of science

Imali Ariyarathne, seventh-grade teacher at Langston Hughes Academy, introduces her students to the captivating world of science.

About TNTP

TNTP is the nation’s leading research, policy, and consulting organization dedicated to transforming America’s public education system, so that every generation thrives.

Today, we work side-by-side with educators, system leaders, and communities across 39 states and over 6,000 districts nationwide to reach ambitious goals for student success.

Yet the possibilities we imagine push far beyond the walls of school and the education field alone. We are catalyzing a movement across sectors to create multiple pathways for young people to achieve academic, economic, and social mobility.

Learn More About TNTP