Powering Student Potential With Excellence

City Teaching Alliance works alongside schools, districts, universities, and communities to build the pathways, supports, and partnerships that help educators enter the profession, grow within it, and remain long-term.

Answering the National Call For Talent

Our theory of change is that if we recruit, develop, and retain effective career educators through coaching and mentorship, coursework, certification, clinical experience, and care-centered support (5Cs), then we will build a thriving alliance of educational leaders who drive meaningful academic and life outcomes for all learners. 

At every level, our work is about building and sustaining the people, pathways, and partnerships that make lasting educational impact possible.

The Future We’re Building

Our vision is that every school community is led by thriving, well-resourced, and highly qualified career educators, empowered to make a lasting impact on all learners. This vision goes beyond short-term staffing needs. Through our 5 C’s, we are building durable educator pathways, consistent student experience, and excellent teachers who are strengthened by stable, supported educators over time.

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Students served since 2010
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City Teaching Alliance Year 1 Fellows since 2010
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Partner schools

What We Believe

A strong, diverse education workforce is essential to a just and thriving society. 

City Teaching Alliance works across the educator workforce continuum—from preparation and credentialing to placement, retention, leadership development, and long-term career sustainability.

By linking education to employment, we grow local teacher pipelines and drive workforce development with school districts, leading regional universities, and community organizations.

  • Skill Development
    We provide targeted training that equips individuals with the skills needed to thrive in high-demand fields like education. Our model blends real-world experience, coursework, and continuous coaching to ensure job readiness.
  • Employment Services
    We offer career support through job placement assistance, resume building, interview prep, and professional development. This ensures that participants are prepared to launch and sustain meaningful careers.
  • Supportive Services
    To help individuals overcome barriers to employment, we offer wraparound support such as mentorship, certification support, and access to mental health and financial resources.
  • Employer Engagement
    We partner with school districts and other employers to align our training with workforce needs—equipping our participants with the tools they need to meet the demands of the job from day one.
  • Caring for the adults who care for children

    Educators need more than coursework and credentials to build lasting careers. They need community, advocacy, resources, and empowerment. City Teaching Alliance’s C.A.R.E. Philosophy is the connective tissue across every stage of our work.

    It recognizes that when educators feel supported, seen, equipped, and empowered, they are better able to stay in the profession, grow as leaders, and create meaningful opportunities for learners.

    Advancing With Purpose. Building What Lasts.

    City Teaching Alliance is building toward a future in which more aspiring educators can access high-quality pathways into the profession; more educators remain, lead, and thrive; more schools are strengthened by sustainable talent pipelines; and more learners benefit from exceptional, well-prepared teachers.

    We are committed to becoming a financially strong, nationally respected, and deeply trusted organization; one that helps shape the future of educator workforce development with clarity, discipline, innovation, and care.

    Read our FY27 Strategic Plan to see how we are becoming a durable institution for the future of educator workforce development.

    We are a mission-driven team

    We’re committed to ensuring students in urban communities have access to exceptional educators. Over half of our team are former teachers and school leaders who bring firsthand experience to drive our mission and strengthen our Theory of Change.

    Let’s Connect!

    Leadership Team
    Dr. Rahesha Amon
    Chief Executive Officer
    Charity Jones
    Chief Educator Learning Officer
    Kayla Colianni
    Chief of Staff
    Jeff Glowik
    Executive Director, Philadelphia
    Dr. Kimberly Washington
    Executive Director, Baltimore & Central Maryland
    Anthony Dorado
    Executive Director, Greater DC Metro
    Dr. Alexes Terry
    Executive Director, Dallas
    Dr. Rahesha Amon
    Chief Executive Officer

    Dr. Rahesha Amon is the Chief Executive Officer of City Teaching Alliance and is an award-winning career educator, executive, and Google GSV Fellowship alumna with more than 25 years of leadership experience. In 2024, she joined City Teaching Alliance as CEO from New York City’s Department of Education, where she most recently served as Senior Executive Director of School Support and Operations. Dr. Amon began her career as an award-winning classroom teacher and progressed to roles including Educational Coach, Assistant Director of Early Childhood, and Assistant Principal. Eventually, she became the founding Principal of Frederick Douglass Academy III in the Bronx, New York, before advancing to the positions of Deputy Superintendent and Superintendent of Community School District 16 in Brooklyn. The recipient of numerous awards and accolades, Dr. Amon’s impact spans local, regional, national, and international spheres, from establishing an aspiring entrepreneur fellowship in New York City with funding from the Sterling Foundation to serving as an International Advisor for the Ministry of Education, the Abu Dhabi Education Council, and ALEF education, playing a crucial role in the establishment of a charter management organization serving over 6,000 students across six campuses in Abu Dhabi. She holds a doctoral degree from New York University, a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Fordham University, and a Bachelor of Arts from North Carolina Central University.

    Charity Jones
    Chief Educator Learning Officer

    Charity Jones is the Chief Educator Learning Officer at City Teaching Alliance, with over 25 years of professional experience in public K-12 educational settings, higher education, and the nonprofit sector. Her career includes experience as an educational consultant, instructional coach, director of clinical faculty at American University and Johns Hopkins University’s Graduate School of Education, school principal, administrator, senior professorial lecturer at American University, and public school teacher with professional certifications in elementary and secondary school principalship and secondary education. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, a Master’s in Teaching from Wayne State University, and a Master’s in Educational Leadership and Administration from Concordia University.

    Kayla Colianni
    Chief of Staff

    Kayla Colianni is the Chief of Staff at City Teaching Alliance with over 15 years of experience in organizational leadership and strategic operations. Her professional career includes experience in cross-functional team management, operational strategy, and leadership development. Kayla earned her bachelor’s degree in English Literature and a master’s degree in Human Development and Leadership.

    Jeff Glowik
    Executive Director, Philadelphia

    Jeff Glowik is the Regional Executive Director of City Teaching Alliance, Philadelphia Before becoming the Executive Director of City Teaching Alliance – Philadelphia, Jeff served as the Director of Clinical Faculty for City Teaching Alliance and American University. As the former Principal and Assistant Principal of Mastery Schools. Jeff brings more than a decade of experience and a nuanced understanding of school leadership and classroom needs to his current role. He has seen firsthand the impact that preparation has on high-quality teaching, student outcomes, and the student experience, and is well-positioned to actualize City Teaching Alliance’s mission and vision in Philadelphia. Jeff holds a Bachelor degree in Political Science from Temple University and a Master of Science in Education from Pace University.

    Dr. Kimberly Washington
    Executive Director, Baltimore & Central Maryland

    Dr. Kimberly Washington is the Regional Executive Director for City Teaching Alliance Baltimore. Kimberly’s leadership journey in Baltimore began as principal of Booker T. Washington Middle School, an experience that shaped her deep commitment to the city’s students, teachers, and leaders. For over a decade, she has supported Baltimore’s efforts to strengthen its principal pipeline, helping to prepare and empower the school leaders to drive meaningful change in their schools and communities.

    Before joining City Teaching Alliance, Kimberly served as the Executive Director of Programs for New Leaders, Inc., where she led partnerships in Washington, DC; Louisville, KY; Baltimore, MD; Boston, MA; and San Antonio, TX. Before New Leaders, she served as principal of Hyattsville Middle School in Prince George’s County, MD, where her leadership led to record-breaking student achievement growth in just one year.

    A lifelong advocate for educational equity, Kimberly believes education is a gateway to freedom, freedom from generational poverty, and freedom to live in one’s purpose. She holds a B.A. in Secondary Mathematics Education from Norfolk State University, an M.A.

    Anthony Dorado
    Executive Director, Greater DC Metro

    Anthony Dorado is the Regional Executive Director of City Teaching Alliance, Washington, DC, and a proud alumnus of both City Teaching Alliance and AmeriCorps. Anthony began his career in education after transitioning from the corporate sector, driven by a commitment to expanding access and opportunity for students and communities historically underserved by traditional systems.

    As a former City Teaching Alliance resident and AmeriCorps member, he brings firsthand experience in teacher preparation, service leadership, and community impact. Anthony has held multiple leadership roles in education, including serving as CEO of Education for an international school network, where he led program development, educator training, and cross-cultural partnerships. His leadership is grounded in equity, collaboration, and building strong systems that support teachers to thrive and students to succeed. Anthony holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Law and a Master of Science in Education and Special Education from Johns Hopkins University.

    Dr. Alexes Terry
    Executive Director, Dallas

    Dr. Alexes Terry is the Regional Executive Director of City Teaching Alliance Dallas, where she leads regional strategy and school partnerships focused on recruiting, preparing, and retaining highly effective educators across Dallas-area schools. She brings over 15 years of experience in education, including classroom teaching, instructional coaching, teacher preparation, and nonprofit leadership.

    Her expertise centers on culturally responsive teaching, educator development, and building sustainable systems that help teachers thrive so students and communities can thrive. Dr. Terry also serves as a professor and holds a Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Urban Education. She is a certified wellness coach and the author of REAL LOVE: Strategies for Reaching Students Who See No Way Out.

    Board of Directors
    Sekou Biddle (Chair)
    Vice President of Advocacy, UNCF
    Dr. Barbara Freeman
    Senior Advisor for Strategic Planning and Development, Office of the First Deputy Chancellor for NYC Public Schools
    Toirey Taylor, MBA
    Account Executive & Advisory Member, Scholastic Learning
    Mimi (Woldeyohannes) McKee
    Managing Director of External Affairs at the Center for Black Educator Development
    Ben Fenton
    Chief of Growth & Delivery, Instruction Partners
    Donald Conyers
    Former First Deputy Chancellor NYCDOE, CEO of Conyers Solutions LLC
    Gordon Johnson
    Senior Vice President, M&T Bank
    Adrienne Williams
    Director, Student Achievement Partners
    Sekou Biddle (Chair)
    Vice President of Advocacy, UNCF
    Dr. Barbara Freeman
    Senior Advisor for Strategic Planning and Development, Office of the First Deputy Chancellor for NYC Public Schools
    Toirey Taylor, MBA
    Account Executive & Advisory Member, Scholastic Learning
    Mimi (Woldeyohannes) McKee
    Managing Director of External Affairs at the Center for Black Educator Development
    Ben Fenton
    Chief of Growth & Delivery, Instruction Partners
    Donald Conyers
    Former First Deputy Chancellor NYCDOE, CEO of Conyers Solutions LLC
    Gordon Johnson
    Senior Vice President, M&T Bank
    Adrienne Williams
    Director, Student Achievement Partners
    Leadership Team
    Dr. Rahesha Amon
    Chief Executive Officer
    Charity Jones
    Chief Educator Learning Officer
    Kayla Colianni
    Chief of Staff
    Jeff Glowik
    Executive Director, Philadelphia
    Dr. Kimberly Washington
    Executive Director, Baltimore & Central Maryland
    Anthony Dorado
    Executive Director, Greater DC Metro
    Dr. Alexes Terry
    Executive Director, Dallas
    Board of Directors
    Sekou Biddle (Chair)
    Vice President of Advocacy, UNCF
    Dr. Barbara Freeman
    Senior Advisor for Strategic Planning and Development, Office of the First Deputy Chancellor for NYC Public Schools
    Toirey Taylor, MBA
    Account Executive & Advisory Member, Scholastic Learning
    Mimi (Woldeyohannes) McKee
    Managing Director of External Affairs at the Center for Black Educator Development
    Ben Fenton
    Chief of Growth & Delivery, Instruction Partners
    Donald Conyers
    Former First Deputy Chancellor NYCDOE, CEO of Conyers Solutions LLC
    Gordon Johnson
    Senior Vice President, M&T Bank
    Adrienne Williams
    Director, Student Achievement Partners

    Our Story

    City Teaching Alliance was founded with the idea that talented, highly-prepared, career educators can accelerate student achievement.

    2010

    City Teaching Alliance, formerly known as Urban Teachers, is founded by Jennifer Green and Christina Hall, after receiving a start-up grant from the New Schools Venture Fund.

    2010

    City Teaching Alliance opens its first site in Baltimore and quickly expands to Washington, DC.

    2016

    City Teaching Alliance Dallas begins.

    2022

    City Teaching Alliance Philly launches.

    Join the Alliance

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