Welcome Lego Foundation Leader Diego Adame

TeachUNITED is honored to introduce the newest addition to our board of directors, Diego Adame. A Mexican national, Diego brings with him over 15 years of experience in the social and philanthropic sector and a belief in the power of education.

Senior Director at the LEGO Foundation, Diego, has been involved in education projects at all levels, from teaching underserved students in Mexico to developing and launching national and global strategies with a focus on impact.

As part of the foundation’s leadership, Diego has first-hand experience with trends, best practices, and access to global networks of organizations and funders in the education sector. This perspective has been invaluable to mission-driven organizations in the startup and growth phases.

At TeachUNITED, we believe in the transformative power of education. By leveraging the resources of our global network to form innovative partnerships with local communities, we are working to prepare the next generation of students with the skills to graduate, earn more income, and disrupt cycles of poverty.

Diego is inspired by TeachUNITED’s data-driven approach and looks forward to contributing to the continued success of the organization.

With Diego on our board, we are poised to further amplify our impact and are one step closer to our vision of improving the outcomes of 5 million students by 2030.

Diego’s expertise in education and philanthropy aligns seamlessly with TeachUNITED’s core values. His insights will be vital as we work to deepen our impact, forge new strategic alliances, and continue to advocate for quality education on a global scale.

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Diego Adame. Together, with our dedicated board, team, partners, and supporters, we are confident in our ability to create a brighter future for generations to come.

Empowering Teachers: Tackling the Global Learning Crisis From the Front Line

A Q&A with Heather Hiebsch

The United Nations estimates that “by 2030 approximately 300 million students will lack the basic numeracy and literacy skills necessary to succeed in life.” Even though many people and organizations believe that technology can address these issues, the research is clear – enhancing the quality of teachers has the greatest impact on student outcomes. High quality education requires great teachers.

Sally Gail Bloomberg: Thank you for speaking with me about how TeachUNITED is helping to address disparities in education. You have dedicated your career to enhancing education for children. What motivated you to co-found TeachUNITED in 2016 and what is your current vision for the organization?

Heather Hiebsch: Thank you for inviting me. Like many of your readers, I care about the climate, poverty, access to health care, gender equality, and many other issues called out in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is why we must improve education. An educated society is the only way to solve these massively complex issues. In other words, by improving education for 1 million people, I see this as 1 million more opportunities to address all other global issues.

I have worked in education for 25 years and was especially inspired during my time as a public school principal. While following the research, I also saw firsthand what a difference a great teacher could make in turning a child’s life around. We also saw the power of educational technology (EdTech) to amplify whatever is happening in the classroom, both good and bad.

When I saw the shocking United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) statistic that 250 million children cannot read, write, or do basic math, I wondered how we might be able to leverage technology and great teaching to change that statistic. In 2016, I left my job and joined a nonprofit working on a solution for mobile edtech. However, it soon became clear that the biggest factor in student success – a great teacher – was being left out of most education interventions. That led us to sunset our original model and revise our approach by focusing on enhancing the quality of teaching in order to have the greatest impact on student outcomes. We launched TeachUNITED to reflect our new focus.

There is no doubt that kids (and teachers) are engaged by technology. But people show up for relationships, and people show up for results. And that comes from great teaching.

My vision is for all students to have great teachers who believe they can (and will) succeed. TeachUNITED is committed to providing teachers in rural and under-resourced communities with the support, skills, and strategies to create these transformational experiences in the classroom.

Heather: Our curriculum has four main pillars: Mindset, Engagement, Personalization, and Data. We apply these concepts in every classroom, at every grade level, and within all the countries where we have programs. Our program starts by working with the teachers within existing schools, helping administrators and teachers build their capacity to lead, replicating and sustaining the program long term. We model everything with our teachers; then we translate the strategies and apply them in the classroom with the students.

We start with mindset, asking the teacher questions to help them reflect on their perspectives about themselves and their student population. We help uncover unconscious fixed mindsets that may inhibit both teachers and students. That’s a radical shift in classroom culture, and it’s important that teachers see themselves as having the ability to make a difference and close learning gaps (i.e. collective teacher efficacy).

Then, we focus on engagement. Using an engagement scale, teachers reflect on their current state ranging from disconnected, to compliance, to authentic engagement and excitement. We want teachers to reconnect with their purpose and goals within the teaching profession so they can share that energy with the students.

From there we move into personalized learning. We practice strategies to address the common challenges: What does it mean to not just teach to the middle? What does it look like to challenge kids who need an accelerated schedule? What do specific interventions look like to help close gaps for other students? And most importantly, we meet the needs of each individual student in the reality of today’s classroom with limited resources, a tight schedule, and without creating more work for the teacher.

Finally, we help teachers embrace the power of data in the classroom – to truly know where their students are and what they need. Assessments can be quick, informal, and part of the daily lesson. Data is the underlying foundation of personalized classrooms. It is the evidence we need to ensure all students are growing (and helps overworked teachers know their time is spent where it’s most needed).

Our first year working with a school is the most intensive because we are working with lead teachers, modeling the strategies, and providing feedback. Teachers work online, in small groups, and one-on-one with their coach to master the skills that they apply in the classroom. In year two the lead teacher moves into a role where they coach other teachers. Our goal is to build a school system’s capacity, not dependency. By developing lead teachers into in-house coaches, school systems are left with the local expertise and resources needed to sustain the outcomes long-term.

Bloomberg: Please introduce us to your learners, teachers, and coaches. Who are they and where are they located?

Hiebsch: In support of TeachUNITED’s commitment to quality education, we focus primarily on rural, remote, and traditionally underserved communities. In 2023, we served more than 479,000 students in seven countries in Africa (Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda), more than 577,000 students across six countries in Latin America (Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Peru), and more than 151,000 students in the United States (in rural parts of Colorado, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, and Wyoming). We focus on schools where teachers’ access to ongoing professional opportunities is limited because of geographic isolation or insufficient financial resources.

Our students are in grades 1 through 12, and our teachers range from those new to the field of teaching to people who have been teaching for their entire careers. Our programs are available in English, Spanish, Swahili, and Mayan.

All but one of our coaches are former teachers, and approximately half are TeachUNITED alumni.

Bloomberg: How does TeachUNITED evaluate its impact? To what extent are these measures the same or different in the various countries that you serve?

Hiebsch: We have similar measures in all the countries we serve because we are focused on academic outcomes for foundational skills for graduation, like literacy and numeracy. Collecting data about student performance and teacher engagement is baked into our approach. Our teachers incorporate data on a daily basis rather than wait for the national exams. That way, lessons can be adjusted based on students’ needs. As some people say, we’d rather take a temperature than conduct an autopsy.

Regarding impact, one thing we see a lot in our work is that people get really excited about program reach numbers. But reach is not always synonymous with impact; therefore, we measure both. We are thrilled to report that we have reached more than 1.5 million students and 40,000 teachers in 14 different countries. This number includes the teachers we have trained directly as well as the teachers trained by our certified NGO and government partners. These numbers reflect the local ownership and scalability of the program.

When we dig into the impact, I am particularly proud to share some specific positive outcomes experienced by our students and teachers. In 2023, our participants regularly outperformed controls. Specifically, in Africa, while TeachUNITED primary schools improved their graduation rates by 10%, control schools actually dropped 10%. Secondary schools also excelled, improving their pass rates 92% more than control schools.

In Latin America, young learners continue to build strong foundations, as TeachUNITED early primary students grew 57% more in reading fluency than their peers at comparison schools.

And in the U.S., students of TeachUNITED teachers outperformed their peers across the board on state standardized tests. TeachUNITED schools had 93% more growth in math and 22% more growth in literacy than comparison schools.

In addition to looking at student success measures, we also have teacher-specific measures that we track. For example, we evaluate teacher retention in all the regions and countries we serve; this ties back to UN Sustainable Development Goal #4 and the sub-goals. In the US, TeachUNITED schools reported a 12% improvement in teacher retention (as self-reported by participants at the beginning vs. the end of the program).

Prior to TeachUNITED, Heather was a founding school principal and launched a nationally recognized pioneering K-12 hybrid school. She is a Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation Entrepreneur and Cordes Fellow. Heather has been a featured keynote speaker at Digital Learning’s Inaugural Conference, a finalist for the Global MindED Inclusive Leader Award, and published as a case study education leader by the Christensen Institute, Evergreen Education, Project Tomorrow, EdWeek, and Forbes.

A Comprehensive Guide: Federal Funds for Sustainable Transformation in U.S. Schools and Districts

Common Funding Categories

Source: Burbio

At TeachUNITED, our coaching programs are designed to support your staff in a holistic manner, focusing on enhancing teaching skills, bridging learning gaps, and improving teacher retention rates. As you chart your course for the coming year, we’re here to lend a helping hand in sorting through funding options and evaluating your professional learning needs. As a non-profit organization, we often leverage grant funding from our partners to underwrite a portion of the cost, with supplemental funding currently available for middle schools.

Common Funding Hurdles

In our conversations with schools and districts nationwide, a common concern arises — the pressure to spend federal funds without adequate time and resources to formulate a sustainable plan. To address this challenge, we’ve compiled a set of questions to help you overcome hurdles and identify the best use of your allotted funds:

Navigating federal funding can indeed be complex, but with the right guidance, you can unlock a wealth of opportunities for sustainable transformation. Our expert coaches are here to serve as your partners in this journey, empowering educators to transform their practices and build internal capacity for years to come.

Other Funding Options

Ultimately, our collective goal is to see students, teachers, and school leaders fulfill their greatest potential. At TeachUNITED, we’re committed to making this vision a reality by providing the support and resources you need to navigate federal funding, drive sustainable transformation, and empower your school community.

Interested in bringing this type of immediate impact to your school or district? 

Our 2023 Impact Report: Improving Outcomes for 1.2M

TeachUNITED celebrated a significant milestone in 2023 – reaching more than one million students and 30,000 educators globally!

However, we believe that reach is only a celebration if coupled with positive change for our teachers and students. Success lies in the transformations witnessed among our participants last year.

Learn more about the impact you helped to create:

Investing in Your Schools: TeachUNITED delivers Tangible ROI for Teachers and Students

Last school year, TeachUNITED partnered with schools in rural New Hampshire, Colorado, Mississippi, and Missouri to provide educator coaching programs customized in partnership with and for the needs of each school community. Servings 150,000 students, TeacherUNITED has partnered with more than 400 schools and districts and more than 11,000 educators.

These coaching programs aim to strengthen teacher and administrator skills, build systems of support, and improve student learning. To do that, participating teachers learn pedagogy-based strategies through 1:1 coaching and small- and large-group peer learning communities.  

As the data shows, the results have been extremely positive, for teachers, students, and their school communities as a whole.

Outperforming Peers on State Standardized Tests

TeachUNITED schools outperformed their peers across the board on state standardized tests. TU schools had 93% more growth in math and 22% more growth in English Language Arts compared to non-TU schools. Those increases in proficiency rates resulted in our schools having 11% more students on grade level in math and 8% more students on grade level in ELA versus comparison schools.

Percentage Point Increase

TeachUNITED schools in New Hampshire more than tripled the state average growth in ELA. Despite the fact these schools had traditionally underperformed in student growth, TU helped turn the tide, with the schools posting a 17% improvement in their average ELA student growth percentiles, more than 28x the growth of comparison schools. Across the state, the expected student growth is standardized at 50. In ELA, the median ELA SGP moved from below expected growth in 2022 (47.4) to greater than expected in 2023 (55.6). Similarly, in math, students posted greater than expected gains with an 51.6 SGP. In other words, TeachUNITED schools are helping kids grow more and grow faster.

TeachUNITED schools in Mississippi posted similarly impressive gains. TU schools had a full 10% increase in the rate of students scoring at proficiency or higher. While comparison schools still failed to have half of their students reach grade level proficiency in math, TU schools increased to 66% of students performing at or above grade level.

Significant Improvement for Low-Income Students

Economically disadvantaged and low-income students tend to score lower on state and national assessments. In New Hampshire, low-income students typcially score proficient or higher at less than half the rate of their higher-income peers. After just one year of TeachUNITED programming, proficiency rates increased by an impressive 54.5% in ELA and 9.6% in math, compared to a respective 2% and 5.8% increase for comparison schools. 

These gains resulted in greater than expected growth for economically disadvantaged students. Though schools had posted below expected growth in 2022 with an SGP of 39.0 for low-income students, schools showed greater than expected growth in 2023 with a 54.0 for this subgroup of students.

Percentage Increase in Proficiency Rate

Teacher Retention and Impacts

Research tells us that motivated, engaged teachers stay at their schools longer and are more effective educators. The TeachUNITED program has a significant impact on teacher retention, with 100% of schools reporting an increase in teacher retention in 2023. The retention rate increased 12% year over year, helping schools keep good teachers in the classroom longer. 

Looking Ahead

Perhaps the most exciting part of this data is that these schools are still early in their improvement journey. TeachUNITED works with schools for two full years, first coaching a small group of champion educators to improve their classroom practices. Trained, champion teachers then lead the work with their full school staff in year two, supported by TU materials, coursework, and PLC webinar templates. As more teachers have the opportunity to participate in these powerful Professional Learning Communities, we expect to see student scores and teacher outcomes continue to improve in Year 2 and beyond. We’re proud of the work of the TeachUNITED SY2022-2023 schools have accomplished so far and excited to share their data as they continue in this work.

Interested in bringing this type of immediate impact to your school or district? 

Teacher Shortage & “Grow Your Own” Programs: A Central Theme from 2023 National Forum to Advance Rural Education

Several of our U.S. team members attended the 2023 National Forum to Advance Rural Education last fall. They had the privilege of participating in crucial conversations about the challenges and opportunities in rural education across the country. One of the focal points of discussion was the persistent teacher shortage.

“Grow Your Own” to Combat Teacher Shortages

The teacher shortage in rural communities is a well-documented concern, and the conference brought educators, policymakers, and organizations like TeachUNITED together to explore sustainable solutions. The “Grow Your Own” (GYO) model emerged as one possibility, emphasizing the recruitment and preparation of local individuals to become educators within their own communities. But building successful GYO programs come with a host of challenges like community engagement, resource constraints, meeting state credentialing and certification requirements, quality of training, and concerns with school capacity to provide ongoing retention and support.

Coaching + “Grow Your Own”

A key takeaway from the discussions at NFARE was the pivotal role of teacher professional development in the success of GYO programs. Coaching emerged as a cornerstone, providing ongoing support and guidance to educators as they navigate the challenges of teaching in rural settings. TeachUNITED emphasized the importance of a tailored coaching program, one that addresses the unique needs of GYO teachers, ensuring their continued growth and effectiveness in the classroom. In rural areas, where resources may be limited, investing in teacher professional development through coaching is a strategic move. It not only enhances the skills and confidence of GYO educators but also contributes to the overall resilience of the rural education system. Our participation in NFARE underscores our commitment to being a driving force behind positive change in rural education. By nurturing talent within rural areas, we aim to not only fill the immediate need for qualified educators but also to create a lasting impact by fostering a sense of community and connection between teachers and students. Contact us to discuss ways to build this kind of program in your district.