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15 FORWARD

Building the Educator Workforce of the Future 2024-2025 Annual Report

CONTENTS 1

Letter from our CEO

Letter from our

Our Mission and

Impact at a Glance

15 Forward in Action

Board Chair

Approach

Across our Cities

Where Excellence

Shaping the

Voices of City

Fiscal Stewardship

Meets Impact

Conversation

Teaching Alliance

and Sustainability

LETTER FROM OUR CEO Dr. Rahesha Amon To our City Teaching Alliance Community, When I joined City Teaching Alliance last July, I was welcomed into an organization rooted in purpose: one that believes teaching is the profession that makes all others possible. Over the past year, I’ve seen that purpose come alive in classrooms, community partnerships, and courageous leadership across every city we serve. Our work this year has been guided by a simple but transformative question: What does it take to build a strong and sustainable teacher workforce for the future? The answer lies in how we prepare, support, and honor the people who choose to teach, because the success of our schools and communities depends on it. Through our Signature Approach, we are not only preparing teachers to excel in their first years in the classroom, but we are equipping them to thrive for a lifetime, impacting thousands of students along the way. The first two years of residency and certification establish deep instructional skill; the second two cultivate career growth, mentorship, and leadership. This is what workforce development looks like when grounded in equity and excellence: teachers who are empowered to stay, lead, and transform their communities. Our progress extends beyond the classroom, and I’m excited to share highlights of an incredible year with you in our annual report. Together, we built a strong foundation for sustainability and scale, aligning goals, systems, and budgets to our mission. As we move 15 Forward, I’m deeply inspired by the people who make this work possible: our educators, our partners, our donors, our alumni, and our team. You are the architects of our future, and you are redefining what it means to build thriving communities. Fifteen years of impact have brought us here. The next fifteen will define how far we can go and how many lives we can change along the way. Onward, Forward,

Dr. Rahesha Amon, CEO

Letter from our CEO

LETTER FROM OUR BOARD CHAIR Sekou Biddle To our committed partners, As we reflect on fifteen years of impact, the work of City Teaching Alliance continues to remind us that education is the foundation of opportunity, and that teachers are the bedrock of that foundation. Each year, we reaffirm a shared belief that excellent teaching changes lives, and that preparing and sustaining excellent educators is among the most important investments any community can make. Our Board of Directors has long held that the strength of our future workforce depends on how deeply we nurture today’s educators. As we continue advancing our Signature Approach, we’ve witnessed the power of long-term dedication. Drawing wisdom from a decade and a half of experience, we’re developing the next generation of teacher-leaders who will carry forward the mission with skill, purpose, and compassion. The past year has also been one of alignment and stewardship. Together with our executive leadership team, we have taken steps to ensure the organization’s sustainability—by strengthening our governance, broadening our partnerships, and clarifying our vision for the next fifteen years. Each decision is guided by one question: how can we best empower educators who, in turn, transform students, schools, and communities? As we look ahead to this next chapter, I am inspired by the educators who bring learning to life every day, our partners and supporters who make progress possible, and the collective belief that high-quality education remains our greatest lever for equity and change. The future of our collective workforce will be shaped by the changemakers we prepare today. With gratitude and anticipation,

Sekou Biddle, Chair, Board of Directors

Letter from our Board Chair

OUR MISSION & VISION Our mission is to identify, prepare, and retain exceptional career educators who are empowered and equipped to make a lasting impact on the academic and life outcomes of all learners. We envision a world where every school community is led by thriving, well-resourced, and highly qualified career educators, empowered to make a lasting impact on all learners.

OUR APPROACH We achieve our mission by cultivating a diverse, well-trained teacher workforce through deep partnerships with schools and communities. Our model is built on five pillars that define how we recruit, prepare, and sustain educators. Together, the 5Cs position teaching as a skilled, high-impact profession essential to every thriving community.

COURSEWORK

“I wanted to become a teacher because I knew I had the heart to truly see students and encourage them on their educational journey. However, I also recognized the need to be equipped with the skills to not only care, but to teach, lead, and push students. Joining [City Teaching Alliance] felt like the right step because I was ready to channel my passion into purposeful action.” Chazma, Cohort 2025

Graduate-level preparation grounded in evidence-based practice.

COACHING & MENTORSHIP Three years of individualized, data-driven coaching that translates theory into impact.

CLINICAL PLACEMENT A yearlong residency alongside expert host teachers.

CERTIFICATION Dual certification in both a content area and special education.

COMMUNITY A lifelong alliance of educators united by purpose and place.

Our Mission and Approach

IMPACT AT A GLANCE Our statistics tell a story. Every City Teaching Alliance fellow we train and every student we serve is a critical investment in our collective future.

450,000

Students served by our educators and leaders since 2009

2,700

Educators and leaders trained by City Teaching Alliance since 2009

500+

Partner schools in our Alliance across four cities since 2009

90%

Report we gave them the skills they need to be effective in the classroom

85%

Alumni still working in sustained careers in education today

Impact at a Glance

15 FORWARD IN ACTION Our 15 year milestone is a launchpad for the next chapter of City Teaching Alliance. Looking ahead, we are focused on:

PATHWAYS OF POSSIBILITY

Expanding access through multiple entry routes, including the Signature Pathway, our new Para-Educator Pathway, and new Accelerated Certification Pathway, allows aspiring educators to enter the profession with flexibility, choice, and support.

ALLIANCE BUILDING

We’re bringing together education ecosystems for in-person events across our four sites for important discussions on the future of education in our country.

PARTNERING FOR IMPACT

Through our new consulting services, we’re helping districts strengthen their educator pipelines and redefining workforce development through personalized and equity-driven support.

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

City Teaching Alliance continues to shape the national conversation on teacher preparation and workforce development. From ASU+GSV to the NewSchools Venture Fund Convening, our leaders are bringing forward ideas that reimagine how teachers are trained, supported, and retained.

In April 2025, City Teaching Alliance took the national stage at the ASU+GSV Summit to spotlight how AI, inclusive practice, and hands-on preparation are shaping tomorrow’s educator workforce. CEO, Dr. Rahesha Amon, moderated “Preparing Next-Generation Teachers for Next-Generation Classrooms” and delivered remarks at the Superintendent Reception, emphasizing that true innovation in education begins with rigorous preparation and sustained teacher development. We left the summit energized and ready to forge new partnerships, share our insights, and strengthen our platform to champion equitable, sustainable teacher pipelines nationwide.

15 Forward in Action

ACROSS OUR CITIES From classroom victories to community celebrations, each of our cities made this year unforgettable.

STORYTELLING IN BALTIMORE & CENTRAL MARYLAND Our Baltimore team hosted a powerful screening of The Right to Read, bringing together educators, families, and advocates to deepen community awareness around literacy equity. The event served as a platform for dialogue, inspiration, and continued partnership, highlighting Baltimore’s leadership in championing systemic change through education.

MAKING HEADLINES FOR PARTNERSHIP AND IMPACT IN DALLAS City Teaching Alliance’s work in Dallas was spotlighted in a regional news feature, showcasing our growing partnership with American Landmark. This collaboration has created meaningful opportunities to support aspiring educators and deepen our roots in the local community, demonstrating how aligned partnerships can multiply impact.

COMING TOGETHER TO LEARN AND LEAD IN PHILADELPHIA In Philadelphia, our first-ever All-Cohort Conference brought together fellows across program years for a dynamic day of learning, leadership, and connection. Through workshops and community building, this event marked a major milestone in cultivating a strong, collaborative educator community in our newest site.

REIGNITING PEER-LED CONNECTION IN THE GREATER DC METRO We revitalized our Ambassador Program in Washington, DC with a focus on peer mentorship and cross-cohort connection. Current fellows stepped up as mentors to incoming candidates, offering 1:1 support, welcome messages, and community-building activities that created a more inclusive and authentic program entry.

Across our Cities

WHERE EXCELLENCE MEETS IMPACT JEVONS LIU, BALTIMORE’S TEACHER OF THE YEAR Jevons Liu, a City Teaching Alliance alum and Baltimore educator, was named Teacher of the Year by Baltimore City Public Schools for his extraordinary commitment to student growth, equity, and classroom innovation. “What excites me is that there’s a lot of ongoing work to change the narrative of what being a teacher and being in education looks like. I’m looking forward to doing what I can to change the narrative and encourage people to enter education. It’s not just a job — it’s something people dedicate their lives to. I know I’m going to stay in this profession for the rest of my life because I want to be someone who fully sees our students as capable and provides them with the opportunities and support they deserve to reach success.”

STRONG SCHOOLS, STRONG RETENTION City Teaching Alliance is proving that teacher retention is possible and sustainable. While about 78% of new teachers across Philadelphia returned to their roles after the 2022–23 school year, 93% of first-year City Teaching Alliance teachers continued into a second year of lead teaching in 2024–25. This progress is driven by strong school partnerships, consistent coaching, and our 5C model, which provides the preparation, mentorship, and community teachers need to thrive. By helping educators see teaching as a lasting, purpose-driven career, we’re strengthening the workforce that sustains schools across the country.

Where Excellence Meets Impact

SHAPING THE CONVERSATION ON EQUITY, POLICY, AND THE FUTURE OF TEACHING From local innovation to national dialogue, City Teaching Alliance continues to lead on issues that define the future of education. Our voice is helping reframe what true equity and educator sustainability look like in practice.

ELEVATING THE EDUCATOR WORKFORCE In The Philadelphia Citizen’s commentary Let These Teachers…Teach, City Teaching Alliance was featured with Elevate 215 and the Philadelphia Citywide Talent Coalition for our role in strengthening Philadelphia’s teacher pipeline. The article spotlighted our dual-certification model, ongoing coaching, and 90% retention rate as evidence that intentional preparation and support can turn temporary staffing challenges into sustainable workforce growth. “The path forward is clear: invest in the teacher pipeline—from recruitment through retention—and do it together.”

RECLAIMING CIVIL RIGHTS IN EDUCATION Forbes recently profiled our CEO, Dr. Rahesha Amon, in Reclaiming Civil Rights: The 1964 Act and the Future of Equality. In conversation with Raymond Pierce of the Southern Education Foundation, Dr. Amon reflected on the link between teacher preparation and the unfinished work of civil rights. Her perspective placed educator development squarely within America’s ongoing civil-rights narrative, connecting classroom practice to dignity, agency, and the pursuit of equality. “Schools are where young people begin to understand their own power. At City Teaching Alliance, we prepare excellent, certified teachers to foster critical thinking and resilience. We help them recognize inequities in real time and guide students toward agency. This is how we sustain civil rights progress”

Shaping the Conversation

VOICES OF CITY TEACHING ALLIANCE This year, 14 alumni were named Teacher of the Year or Teacher of Promise. Meet the educators who exemplify the very best of City Teaching Alliance.

TEACHER OF PROMISE AT HOGG NEW TECH CENTER “City Teaching Alliance believed in me from the beginning. They welcomed me into a diverse, mission-driven community and exposed me to perspectives, cultures, and people I might not have encountered otherwise. That support and opportunity have played a huge role in my development as an educator.” Andrea Romero Rodriguez Cohort 2023

TEACHER OF THE YEAR AT FRIENDSHIP SOUTHEAST ACADEMY “Being named Teacher of the Year was a reflection of the amazing students I have the privilege to teach every day. It affirmed that they see the work, the energy, and the care I bring to this profession. To me, this recognition belongs just as much to my students. It represents their perseverance, brilliance, and the community we build together in the classroom.” Caleb Franklin Cohort 2021

TEACHER OF PROMISE AT PEELER ELEMENTARY “Growing up, I remember teachers that were always there for me in more ways than just academically. They believed in me, encouraged me, and made me feel seen and valued. That stuck with me and I knew I wanted to be that kind of person for others as well.” Skylar Gitlin Cohort 2021

TEACHER OF THE YEAR AT UPLIFT MIGHTY PRIMARY SCHOOL “All students deserve to see continuity in the educators who serve them. It helps build trust, stability, and a sense of belonging. It’s not just about returning year after year. It’s about showing students that they are worth committing to, that their stories matter, and that we’re in this together for the long haul” Sinh Nguyen Cohort 2016

Voices of City Teaching Alliance

FISCAL STEWARDSHIP AND SUSTAINABILITY City Teaching Alliance continued to align its mission and resources to maximize impact for students and educators. Strategic investments in partnerships, technology, and talent have positioned us for long-term growth and scalability. Every dollar raised, from foundations, districts, and individual donors, strengthens the teacher workforce and the communities our fellows serve. In the last fiscal year, City Teaching Alliance made bold, values-based decisions that strengthened our foundation and prepared us to scale, saving hundreds of thousands of dollars and embedding millions in efficiencies. These savings reflect our ongoing commitment to operating with excellence, equity, and long-term impact.

REVENUE

EXPENSES

Program Income

51%

Program Expenses

85%

Contributions & Grants

48%

Fundraising

13%

Operations

Investments

Fiscal Stewardship and Sustainability