National Models for Recruiting/Retaining a Diverse Educator Workforce

Teach for America

ED Week highlighted the recruitment efforts and success of TFA in diversifying its teaching corps members.

Note: Teach for America has current corps members serving in several Massachusetts regions, including the Greater Boston area, the South Coast, and Western Massachusetts.

Today's Students, Tomorrow's Teachers

The Today's Students, Tomorrows Teachers (TSTT) program is based on an eight-year, full circle, collaborative model that is designed to address the shortage of highly qualified teachers, particularly teachers of color. According to TSTT, their partnerships include public school districts, colleges, and businesses. The program's overview states that it "has produced over 250 graduates who are now teachers and has a 100 percent placement rate."

Connecticut's Minority Teacher Recruitment

The Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) Increasing Educator Diversity Program is a product of the combined efforts of the CREC Resource Group and Connecticut school districts. Program services assist schools in recruiting, hiring, and retaining a diverse teaching and administrative staff that more closely represents the diversity of the student population.

University of Louisville Multicultural Teacher Recruitment Program

In effect since 1985, the program is a partnership among the University of Louisville's College of Education and Human Development, the Jefferson County Public Schools, and the schools of the Ohio Valley Educational Cooperative. The program provides financial and academic assistance and professional development and hopes "to inspire further positivity and inclusivity within today's public school atmosphere."

Grow Your Own

The Grow Your Own Teachers initiative is an innovative partnership of community organizations, higher education institutions, and school districts that helps parents, community members, and paraprofessionals in low-income communities become highly qualified teachers. According to the initiative, it is helping to develop:

A pipeline of highly effective teachers reflecting the communities served
Improved teacher retention in low-income schools
Improved cultural competence and community connections of teachers
Improved academic achievement of low-income students

Variations of the GYO model are active in numerous communities and states around the country. Additional guidance and resources are available from sources such as Grow Your Own Illinois.

Last Updated: January 20, 2023