Better People

This week, we will be at the Council of the Great City Schools Chief Human Resources Officers conference in Baltimore. This year's theme is Cultivating Civility and Empowering Human Capital for Transformative Student Outcomes in Urban Education. Jeremy will be presenting "Sustaining HR Innovation," sharing about Baltimore City Public Schools with Emily Nielson and Dr. Tracey L. Durant.

?? Introducing: Next Gen Talent ?? With education at a crossroads, transformative Talent and HR leadership for school systems has never been more important. Are you ready to rise to the challenge? ?Are you a Talent/HR professional in K-12 education? ?Do you want to learn innovative talent strategies that deliver results? ?Are you seeking strategic support to accelerate your leadership journey? Next Gen Talent is designed for future Chief Talent and HR Officers. You’ll receive: ? A curated talent playbook packed with actionable strategies ? Monthly executive coaching tailored to your leadership goals ? Quarterly workshops with national peers and experts ? Personalized career strategy support to take your next big step ?? To learn more, email [email protected].

As we say about our name: Better is a verb. At Better People this New Year’s, we reflect on the distance between the world we dream about and the one we live in now—and recommit to bridging that gap for educators and students everywhere. We’re about growing talent so all kids succeed, and we’re grateful to have you alongside us in 2025.

A New York Times article (link in comments) looking back at surprising data points from the last year highlights a significant insight: the quality of education doesn’t have to be determined by a district’s wealth or demographics. Some high-poverty districts have effectively implemented strategies that enabled students to recover from pandemic-related learning losses, while certain affluent districts have struggled to do the same. At Better People, we know the success of a school system depends on the work of its people to do better, be better, and get better. Our mission is to help youth-serving organizations imagine and implement innovative, equitable ways to recruit, develop, engage, and retain high-impact, high-potential educators, leaders, and support staff. https://lnkd.in/ezYDwsbQ We have driven better outcomes for young people through strategic and effective talent management in districts facing chronic underfunding, concentrated poverty, and systemic racism. By focusing on building and supporting talented teams, even districts with fewer financial resources can achieve remarkable outcomes for their students. Better People partners with educational organizations to develop and implement tailored strategies that enhance the capabilities of their educators and leaders, ultimately leading to improved student outcomes across all types of districts.

Jeremy, Jesse, and Better People's network of leaders bring passion and expertise to every room they enter. Whether facilitating meaningful discussions, strategizing with partners, or simply inspiring those around them, their dedication to improving education systems shines through. ?? We believe in creating environments where educators grow and thrive—because when they do, their students do too.

Recently, Jeremy presented on talent innovation to aspiring school leaders in the Recruitment, Retention, and Promotion of Effective Educators (RRP) scholarship program. The participants represent eight North Carolina districts and receive a cost-free Master’s in School Administration through a partnership between The Innovation Project and North Carolina Central University. Thanks to Kim Morrison, PhD and Dr. Jocelyn Becoats for inviting Better People.

Research and our practical experience demonstrate the highly interconnected nature of educator support strategies. Our 4-component talent management framework reflects these areas of focus: Recruit, Develop, Engage, and Retain.

Better People is excited to be at the National Education Leaders Workshop #NELW2024Atlanta. This year’s theme is Pathways to Excellence: Reimagining Teaching Talent. Our extended team led three sessions on talent recruitment and retention. After day one engaging with talent and HR leaders, principals, and teacher leaders, we are grateful for the learning space. Insight Education Group, Inc. Sharon C.

Jeremy caught up with former team member Sharonda Eley of Baltimore City Public Schools. She knows how to create high-impact adult learning experiences, which are always informed by her close connections to teachers and classrooms across the city. For a decade, Sharonda has coordinated and continued to evolve the Teacher of the Year program. Many know this team is home to 5 of the last 10 State Teachers of the Year ( ?? ). Even more exciting: the community of teacher leaders they have built together.

This year, we proudly launched Better People, a new venture grounded in a deep belief in the incredible potential of all people. Our mission is to help youth-serving organizations imagine and implement innovative, equitable ways to recruit, develop, engage, and retain high-impact, high-potential educators, leaders, and support staff. We’ve seen firsthand how empowered teams of educators can change trajectories for young people and build powerful school communities. Our vision is for all students to have a barrier-breaking educational experience that prepares them to pursue their dreams, supported by talented, representative educators who continuously grow and thrive. Our name, Better People, was inspired by a memory of watching India Arie perform her song of the same name fifteen years ago in Baltimore—the city where we met and our company’s home. As she sang, “Together there’s so much we can do,” we were struck by the sense of unity and possibility—a moment that reflects the heart of our work today. Creating better systems begins with better people. In this space, we’ll share about our work and our perspectives, while spotlighting the incredible educators, leaders, and partners who share our vision and are helping make it a reality. Follow Better People to stay connected!