Teeching.org - Teaching for Equity, Empowerment, and Community Healing

A New Kind of TEECH-er

We start by developing teachers as agents for community justice and change, advocacy, and empowerment.

Educators agree!

New School Model

TEECH transforms education by training future educators as community advocates before they ever enter the classrooms.

TEECH aims to address the disconnect between school and students’ lives/communities by training teachers as community workers and advocates, increasing their capacity to effectively serve communities in which they teach.

By drawing on their lived experiences and connections to community, TEECHers will be able to center their curriculum, practices, and relationships around culturally responsive practices—including the trajectory of leadership, policies and priorities of schools.

Addressing the Current Problems

01

Problem

Teachers are not prepared to be culturally responsive with commitments to racial justice. Less than 50% of teachers feel prepared to teach in urban or diverse schools.

02

Problem

Schools are mostly disconnected from real issues in the communities they serve. 75% of parents of color feel that they do not have a strong connection with their child's school or educators.

03

Problem

America’s teaching force does not reflect student demographics. The educator workforce is 82% White, but most students are from minoritized background.

04

Problem

Teacher preparation programs train teachers to work in schools, but not in and around the lives of students or in communities. 99% of teacher preparation programs happen only within schools and lack community-based connection.

Steps for Success

Step One

First and second year
recruitment into the TEECH program

Step Two

Focus on two summer community-advocacy practicums focused on justice

Step Three

Summer curriculum that immerses pedagogy theory, research on justice

Step Four

Fund final year of undergrad, during which TEECHers become credentialed

Step Five

Get TEECHers hired in areas that serve the demographic of their community work

Step Six

Engage TEECHers in ongoing 'Communities of Practice' on structural inequality

Kandace Logan, Executive Director of TEECH

Prior to joining the team at TEECH, Kandace was the Executive Director of Dreamline, a school-based mentoring program located in k-12 schools across the Twin Cities Metro area and Greater Minnesota. Before leading Dreamline, Kandace worked in Minneapolis Public Schools for ten years. She held numerous progressive roles with the district; her last role was serving as the Executive Director of Equity, Integration and Social Emotional Learning. A former education consultant and classroom teacher, she has traveled the country facilitating workshops and coaching educators on creating positive and affirming learning environments with their students.