September 2024

Alliance Newsletter

FROM DR. RAHESHA AMON, CEO

Dear Valued Partners,

As we transition into fall, I’m filled with excitement for the start of another impactful academic year. This season brings renewed energy as schools reopen, welcoming educators and students back into vibrant learning environments. Big things are happening here at City Teaching Alliance, too!

We’ve just kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the rich cultures and contributions of the Latinx community. From September 15 to October 15, and beyond, we’ll be highlighting stories, achievements, and our ongoing commitment to empowering Latinx educators. Stay tuned for more details on our latest initiative to support these essential voices in education.

In this edition, I’m thrilled to share updates about the launch of our National Alumni Council—a new chapter that connects and empowers our dedicated alumni network as we celebrate 15 years of City Teaching Alliance. We’re also spotlighting an exciting opportunity with #HalfMyDAF, which amplifies our fundraising efforts and expands our impact.

Your continued support makes all of this possible. As we celebrate our accomplishments and push forward, I look forward to deepening our partnership and collectively advancing the mission of City Teaching Alliance. Together, we are shaping the future of education, one committed educator at a time.

Thank you for being a crucial part of this journey.

Warm regards,

Dr. Rahesha Amon
CEO, City Teaching Alliance 

CITY TEACHING ALLIANCE LAUNCHES NATIONAL ALUMNI COUNCIL!

City Teaching Alliance’s unique model is built to support our educators from the moment they apply to their placement in a partner school, and as we continue to grow, so does our vibrant and diverse community of alumni. We currently have alumni in 26 states and 4 countries! As part of our ongoing commitment to ensure our educators have the tools needed to support students, we’ve launched the National Alumni Council. Comprised of 18 dedicated City Teaching Alliance alumni, this dynamic group will regularly assemble to enhance the alumni experience with special projects, research, and events while working closely with the City Teaching Alliance team.

CELEBRATING 15 YEARS OF CHANGEMAKERS

City Teaching Alliance is celebrating 15 years of empowering educators, creating change in our schools, and positively impacting the lives of 400,000+ children. Join us as we shout out the changemakers who turn City Teaching Alliance’s vision into a reality.

Shana (2024 Cohort, Philadelphia)

Shana has always had an interest in transforming education since a young age. With a passion for community service-oriented work, Shana is excited that City Teaching Alliance is giving her the opportunity to learn about and better herself as a global citizen while giving back to children who look like her as a resident math teacher.

“Making space for special needs kids in my class [and making] my classroom accessible to everyone [is] what I’m mainly passionate about.”

Myles (2024 Cohort, Dallas)

Myles was always good at math and started tutoring his classmates in high school, which is when he knew he’d be a teacher. He’s most excited to be participating in an in-person program and about the preparation City Teaching Alliance provides before entering a classroom for the first time. He credits his mentor with ensuring he has all the tools he needs to succeed.

“Being part of a cohort and network, the fact that we’re creating this community, is so great. The network that we’re building already, I know it will last for a long time.”

Lidia (2024 Cohort, Washington, DC) 

Lidia’s former career in the corporate world shed a light on the lack of representation in the workforce and the barriers to a quality education, which inspired her to pursue teaching. Her goals as a resident teaching math are to create no harm in the classroom, to listen to her students, and to meet every student as complete individuals with unique identities.

“When I see kids that are just full of joy, kids or adults that are full of joy, that are seeing their new skills and how they can use them, then that just gives me the most joy.”

OTHER HAPPENINGS & ASKS

#HalfMyDAF enables billions of dollars in untapped Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) to drive meaningful and measurable change, and has placed more than $58 million in nonprofits since 2020. It’s simple: if you commit to giving half of your DAF by September 27, it could qualify to win a match – amplifying the impact of your investment into the future of education.

Your grant has transformative power for our community of teachers and students, and cements your place as a part of our alliance – and for a limited time, your gift could even be tripled through a generous City Teaching Alliance partnership.

Get started by making a donation by September 27, and committing to spend down half of the money in your DAF and you can:

• Double the good you can do by designating a grant to City Teaching Alliance. #HalfMyDAF will randomly select organizations and award dollar-for-dollar matching grants from $5-25K.
• Triple your impact by designating your City Teaching Alliance grant for teacher finances, access, and affordability, and we’ll match it with a donation up to $100,000 in addition to #HalfMyDAF funds thanks to our generous partner.
• Maximize your generosity. Your grant will provide vital resources to City Teaching Alliance’s educators like additional certification preparation and coaching. Most importantly – your grant will positively impact children and communities.

Let’s put more money to work in our communities. To participate in #HalfMyDAF, start by designating a grant to City Teaching Alliance, make a copy of your grant confirmation, complete a #HalfMyDAF commitment form, and attach the DAF grant confirmation. For more information on the process, check out these FAQs or reply to this email.

If you are not a DAF holder, a gift to City Teaching Alliance designated to teacher finances, access, and affordability can still go farther. For a limited time, your gift will be matched 1-1 by a generous partner up to $100,000 per gift! Click here to make your gift.

               We hope you will stay connected with us, our students, our educators, and our schools as we – and our growing network of powerful practitioners – continue to learn, innovate, and co-create the future of teaching and learning in our communities.

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Please help us grow our City Teaching Alliance family by sharing this newsletter with your friends, business partners, and community thought leaders!

City Teaching Alliance (formerly dba Urban Teachers) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization (EIN 27-0989006). To learn more about City Teaching Alliance, visit our website at CityTeachingAlliance.org or click here to donate.

Donations can also be mailed to:
City Teaching Alliance
PO Box 69625
Baltimore, MD 21264
Text-to-Give: INSPIRECHILDREN to 44-321

Contact Lyn Rumage at 410-417-9429 or Lyn.Rumage@cityteachingalliance.org for planned giving, Donor Advised Funds, trusts, or legacy gifts.

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