TeachUNITED
TeachUNITED Strengthens Rural and Native American Schools by Investing in Educator Professional Development
For Indigenous communities, the significant educational challenges confronting America’s schools are even more severe. Native American schools are consistently ranked among the lowest subgroups on state assessments. Teacher turnover is high, with educators often facing geographic isolation, limited access to culturally responsive professional development, and the need to build authentic relationships within communities shaped by historical trauma and inequities. In New Mexico, where the state consistently ranks 50th nationally in overall education outcomes, the problem prompted citizens to sue the state.
Multi-year funding from All Points North Foundation will help TeachUNITED, a global non-profit dedicated to supporting sustainable school improvement, address the root of the state’s crisis – teacher retention and preparation. Two programs for 135 new and veteran middle school teachers and administrators will incorporate evidence-based instructional strategies, personalized coaching, and leadership development to fill systemic gaps. The programs will provide support for 3,600 rural students with a focus on Native American schools in underserved areas.
TeachUNITED will partner with the New Mexico Public Education Department, their Leading Educators through Alternative Pathways program, and the Indian Education Division to support program recruitment and onboarding in alignment with state mandates and Native American cultural values.
To provide a safety net of mentorship, prevent early-career burnout, and combat rural isolation, the New Teacher Program will connect teachers through an online course, webinars, one-on-one coaching, and a peer learning community culminating in a capstone project grounded in real-world classroom goals.
TeachUNITED will also provide coaching skills, leadership strategies, and instructional best practices through its Lead Teacher Coaching Accelerator. This two-year program will transform teachers into instructional leaders, fostering growth and improvement across rural schools and communities.
By preparing early-career teachers for long-term success and experienced educators with high-impact professional development, TeachUNITED will strengthen much-needed support to ensure teacher effectiveness. This educator engagement will, in turn, impact students’ developmental and academic success, especially during the pivotal, high-stakes transition of middle grades.
For more information: www.us.teachunited.org
Photo credit: Brian Martinez
All Points North Foundation
All Points North Foundation provides grants for U.S.-based projects and initiatives that support our priorities: improving public middle school education and teacher training, and implementing effective solar programs and/or projects.
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