TNTP

The U.S. education system is supposed to be a beacon of success and equality, propelling each generation to new heights. However, the reality is completely different: the opportunity gap is widening, income mobility is declining, and the job market is evolving faster than many are prepared for. At TNTP, we're tackling this head-on. In our latest report, The Opportunity Makers, we found something inspiring: a diverse group of schools who are changing the game. These trajectory-changing schools are places where students who are below grade-level, don’t just catch up, they thrive! ?? Read the stories of seven trajectory-changing schools, and discover the three core focus areas that lead to impact: https://ow.ly/Z2hJ50TvfZS #OpportunityMakers #PathsOfOpportunity #EveryGenerationThrives

Education isn’t just about academics; it’s about believing in the potential of every student. ?? For Wanda Hall MST, M.Ed, Principal of Vimenti by Boys and Girls Club of Puerto Rico, strengthening curriculum and raising expectations are key to helping her students excel.?? With a goal to boost 6th-grade math proficiency by 30%, Wanda is focused on providing students with the opportunities they need to succeed—because high expectations lead to high achievements. ?????? Wanda credits The Village with helping her reflect on her journey as a school leader: "Being in The Village has helped me navigate the challenging periods of being a school leader."?? Let’s celebrate the incredible work of leaders like Wanda!?Learn more about The Village: https://hubs.li/Q02YVDd20?

Are you headed to NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF BLACK SCHOOL EDUCATORS (NABSE)'s 52nd Annual Conference in Atlanta this week?! We have so many brilliant TNTPers excited to meet you there. Be sure to stop by one of our five sessions to say hi and learn more about what we're doing to transform education so every young person thrives????: ?? Session #1: Leveraging Role-alike, Affinity-based Cohort Learning to Retain Top Talent ?? Thursday, 11/21 2:45pm EST ??Room: Magnificent 1B ?? Presenters: Shakira Abney-Wisdom, Tanisha Heaston Ed.D., Nicola Martin, Alfred McGuire, Cisely Scott, and Marissa Wilson ?? Session #2: Closing the Opportunity Gap: Action Planning to Advance Access to Strong Instruction & High-Quality Instructional Materials ?? Friday, 11/22 8:30am EST ??Room: Magnificent 2B ?? Presenters: Tracey Wilson-Crawford, PhD, Dr. Ronicka B., and Nia Mitchell-Williams ?? Session #3: Igniting Early Literacy: Dynamic Leadership Strategies for K-3 Success ?? Friday, 11/22 8:30am EST ??Room: Triumph K ?? Presenters: Dorothy Doolittle, Cecilia Paz Aguilar, and Dr. Kiffany Pride (AR Dept of Education) ??Session #4:?Having Our Say: How True Change Happens Through Collaboration ??Friday, 11/22 1:00pm EST ??Room: Magnificent 2B ?? Presenters: Shanequa Yates, Tauheedah F. Baker-Jones, Ed.L.D., Melissa Harris and Jamie Downs ?? Session #5: How An Affinity-Based Space Increased Principal Retention and Resilience for Black & Latinx/Hispanic Principals Post Pandemic ??Friday, 11/22 3:30pm EST ??Room: GWCC Left ?? Presenters: L. Sha Fanion, Ed.D., Sharday Melton, and Lisa Maria Smith-Sherrod, Ed.D. #NABSE2024 #TNTP

At TNTP, we believe public education can and must be the great equalizer that our country has long promised. It’s why our mission is economic and social mobility for all young people, no matter where they come from.??? It's time to create a future where public education emboldens every young person to succeed in life, choose their own career paths, and actively contribute to our democracy.?? Here’s how we can do it: ?https://hubs.li/Q02WWDC60?? #PathsOfOpportunity #EveryGenerationThrives?

Jonathan Santos Silva is driving transformative change in Indigenous education. As a former TNTP Bridge Fellow, he founded The Liber Institute to support Indigenous communities in reimagining schools—centering on culture, equity, and high expectations for every student. His work is a powerful example of what’s possible when communities lead the way in creating educational spaces that reflect their values.? Learn more about Jonathan’s journey and the impact he’s making in South Dakota. ?? https://hubs.li/Q02WWDrT0? #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth?

?? Together we are empowering schools and transforming trajectories. ??? ? Jeffco Public Schools is on a mission: to create a district where ALL students can achieve their biggest dreams. From instructional excellence to consistent support for our school leaders, Superintendent Tracy Dorland and her team are taking big steps toward aligning their schools for student success, doing everything they can to ensure students have the tools they need to thrive.?? ? Inspired by our latest report, The Opportunity Makers, Superintendent Dorland recently sat down with our very own Sarah Lynch to emphasize the critical role principals play in driving student achievement and belonging.?? #OpportunityMakers #JeffcoPublicSchools #TNTPPartnerships? ? Learn more about how they're doing it and how TNTP is supporting them on this incredible path: https://ow.ly/aEPL50U6b9v ??????

The first step to increasing educator diversity is to know your current demographics.?? Let TNTP’s new, publicly accessible National K-12 Teacher & Student Demographic Dashboards provide you with that data.??? Explore them today: https://hubs.li/Q02WjnnZ0? #TNTPDiversityDashboards #DiversifyEd #CloseTheGap

We’re proud to share the powerful story of Allisa Shepard, a TNTP team member whose path to the American Dream came through military service. Allisa’s journey began when her mother moved their family from Jamaica to New York, hoping to provide better opportunities. Despite her ambition and strong grades, college seemed financially out of reach. But?when an Air Force recruiter visited?her?high school class and offered a chance for free education and travel, Allisa made the life-changing decision to enlist.? Through her service, Allisa earned her doctorate debt-free, accessed VA benefits to buy homes, and found a pathway to citizenship—all hallmarks of upward mobility. Yet, as a Black, female, disabled veteran and advocate for youth in marginalized communities, Allisa also grapples with the complexities of promoting military service as a means of economic mobility, especially given the challenges and disparities faced by people of color in our country and military.? Thank you, Allisa, for sharing your?story that reminds us of the many journeys veterans take in service to our country, each marked by courage, sacrifice, and resilience. ?????????? #ThankYouVeterans?

We’re honored to share the story of TNTP’s own Kim Bell and her husband, Craig. At just 18, Craig joined the military in search of a new path and a chance to overcome the challenges he grew up with. What he found was a lifeline: access to education, career training, and the foundation for a better life. Through his service, Craig earned two bachelor’s degrees, a master’s, and is now pursuing a doctorate—a testament to the military’s power to open doors and bridge gaps for those who need it most. As Craig prepares to retire from the U.S. Air Force, Veterans Day holds deep meaning for the Bell family. It’s a time to honor the sacrifices they’ve made together—enduring long deployments, missed celebrations, and time apart from loved ones. Kim and Craig’s story is a reminder of how the military can transform lives and create new paths toward economic and social mobility. ?????? #ThankYouVeterans

Today, we’re proud to share our fellow TNTPer, Donna Shaffer’s, story—a journey marked by resilience, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to overcoming barriers. Donna’s husband joined the Air Force in pursuit of economic security, striving to break cycles of generational poverty. With the support of a veteran tutor, he overcame setbacks to achieve his dream, enlisting 12 years after his first attempt. But service is far from easy. As Donna describes, the military has brought both pride and painful distance, with missed holidays, uncertain months without contact, and bittersweet reunions. For families like Donna’s, Veterans Day is not just once a year—it’s every day. Today, we honor their strength and sacrifice. ???? #ThankYouVeterans