From the Chairman of the Board
and Executive Director
We approach the 20th anniversary of Teaching
Matters with pride—knowing that we have been part
of the national effort to improve educational outcomes for urban students. We were founded based
on a simple but powerful idea. Teaching matters—it’s
our name and our philosophy. We have seen time and
time again there is no single more important
school-based factor linked to children’s educational
success than the quality of the teaching they get.
Unfortunately, education in this country is
radically unequal. Children in areas of concentrated
poverty continue to face yawning gaps in the quality
of education they receive. Millions are leaving school
without even basic math and reading skills. Our work
is in schools where there’s the greatest need and
the greatest potential to make a difference. Using
our time-tested approach, we help redress one of
the most important public policy and justice issues
of our time—making sure that all children get the
quality instruction that can help them reach their
fullest potential.
From 1994 until today, we have collaborated with
close to 50,000 educators from 1,800+ schools to
improve instruction and school culture with the goal
of advancing student achievement. But we didn’t do
it alone. We are inspired by the teachers we support,
who work so doggedly for their students, and we have
learned from them. We also recognize the urgent
challenges that they encounter each day in the
classroom, and are mindful that we have a long way
to go. We are indebted to our board, without whom
we could not thrive, and every one of our staff and
supporters who help us make a difference in the lives
of so many young people.
At Teaching Matters, we operate on the
philosophy that the best way to strengthen urban
public schools is to stand side by side with
teachers and principals, and to help build teacher
leaders who can support their colleagues. We look
forward to increasing our impact in the coming years
so that even more children can receive the quality
education they deserve.
We are so very grateful for your commitment.
Sincerely,
Olga Votis,
Chairman of the Board
Lynette Guastaferro,
Executive Director
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