TALENT INVESTMENTS
Investments in our talent portfolio work to create a high-quality pipeline of teachers and leaders in Detroit. Funding is provided to programs and organizations that support the development and recruitment of quality educators to the city.
Current Talent Investments
School Empowerment Network:
DCF Leaders Institute
Conducted in partnership with School Empowerment Network, DCF Leaders Institute is a DCF-signature talent development program. DCF Leaders Institute is designed to recruit, develop, and place turnaround principals.
New Leaders: DPSCD Leadership Development Program
Detroit Children’s Fund, in partnership with New Leaders and Detroit Public School Community District, launched two concurrent talent development programs in SY 2018/2019 to support the development of DPSCD leadership. The first program focuses on developing current principals working in DPSCD to improve their instructional leadership capacity and drive improved student outcomes. The second program develops current assistant principals who aspire to be principals, to increase the district’s pool of future leaders. Both of these programs will help DPSCD assess their current talent assets and begin to build a “bench” of future school leaders to lead the next generation of Detroit’s schools.
In the next iteration of the DPSCD’s relationship with New Leaders, the district has chosen to “double-down” on the Emerging Leaders program, given the early results (6 emerging leaders placed into principalships for 2019-20 so far). In addition, DPSCD is seeking an additional “fast-track” leadership development program for some of its most promising leaders.
MAPSA: Professional Innovators in Teaching | Alternative Certification Program
Detroit Children’s Fund, in partnership with MAPSA, supports an alternative certification program “Professional Innovators in Teaching” for aspiring Detroit educators. The program will be offered to those already working in Detroit schools as paraprofessionals, interventionists, and building substitute teachers. This 36 month program will include 13 months of coursework and 23 months in cohort professional learning networks. Each candidate will receive an individualized plan to integrate them into school-wide initiatives. They will also receive classroom time with students, real time coaching and peer-to-peer collaboration.
Teach313
Teach313 is the first-ever national campaign to recruit teachers to Detroit. The #Teach313 campaign takes an important step toward ensuring that Detroit is the best city for teachers in the country. Strategic Community Partners (SCP) leads this project, which is co-funded by The Skillman Foundation. This investment funds the creation of a branded website portal, a robust local and national recruitment effort, and ways to strategically elevate the teaching profession in Detroit.
Teach for America – Detroit
Teach For America – Detroit seeks to strengthen and scale the pipeline of talent and the collective impact of TFA Alumni, in service of Detroit’s schools, children and the overall quality of the city and state’s education system. The goal of TFA – Detroit is to build a more diverse, committed and effective network of leaders who will impact Detroit long-term.