City Teaching Alliance

There’s something powerful about bringing future educators and experienced education leaders into the same room. I recently had the privilege of hosting my first of many City Teaching Alliance DC Regional convenings as Executive Director an opportunity to connect with, learn alongside, and pour into the next generation of educators who will soon be leading classrooms across DC. We were fortunate to welcome two incredible City Teaching Alliance alumni: Jordan Bolden, our keynote speaker, who brought powerful words of encouragement and inspiration, and Kenneth W. (Kenny), President of our National Alumni Board, who reminded us of the strength of the community our Fellows are joining. Our amazing panelists, Teresa Morrison and Sarika S., kept it real sharing lessons from their experiences and what it truly takes to build meaningful relationships with students, families, colleagues, and communities. The energy they brought left our Fellows inspired and ready to step into their classrooms with purpose. 🙌🏽 But I don't want the conversation to stop here! 📣 Calling all City Teaching Alliance and former Urban Teachers alumni and leaders! Our newest educators can benefit from YOUR story the successes, challenges, lessons learned, and wisdom you wish someone had shared with you. If you'd be interested in connecting with our Fellows throughout the year as a speaker, panelist, mentor, or simply someone willing to share your journey, comment #INSPIRE below. I'll reach out directly! Let's continue building a community where the educators who came before help prepare those coming next. #CityTeachingAlliance #TeacherLeadership #TeacherDevelopment #DCeducation #EducatorCommunity

As I wrap up my summer as a UNCF K-12 Education Fellow placed with City Teaching Alliance DC, I’m incredibly grateful for all I’ve learned over the past two months. This experience expanded my perspective on the many ways we can make a meaningful impact in education and reaffirmed my passion for serving students and communities. Throughout the summer, I had the opportunity to support incoming Fellows at City Teaching Alliance DC cohort through onboarding operations, develop virtual community-building events, and collaborate with an incredible team dedicated to preparing the next generation of educators. One of the highlights of my experience was competing in the UNCF K-12 Education Fellowship Capstone. My team developed a policy proposal to expand access to school-based wellness centers across Virginia, promoting equitable access to mental health support for students. As the accounting lead, I built the financial model and budget that supported our proposal, reinforcing how finance and data can drive meaningful change in education. Beyond the projects, this experience challenged me to think bigger. I met leaders who reminded me that there isn’t just one path to making a difference, and that leadership and service can take many forms. Thank you UNCF Ed. Reform , City Teaching Alliance , Team WELL, and everyone who invested in my growth this summer. I’m grateful for the support, mentorship, and opportunities that made this experience so meaningful. #UNCF #CityTeachingAlliance #K12Education #Education #HBCU #Internship

Thirty years later, I can still remember walking into my first classroom. I was excited, but I had more questions than answers. Like so many new teachers this year. What helped me persist wasn't certainty, but knowing I had people around me who believed in my potential and supported my growth. As the school year begins, I've come to believe that what matters just as much as preparation is consistent support. I am grateful for all the mentors, coaches, colleagues, and leaders who help early-career educators navigate challenges and celebrate their victories along the way. In this month's ForwardED, I reflect on why trusted relationships are one of the most important investments we can make in early-career educators and what happens when we design care-centered systems that help teachers stay. #ForwardED #TeacherRetention #TeacherPreparation #Leadership