Joint effort launched to recruit more teachers to Indy’s urban core
Indianapolis—(March 27, 2018)—The Mind Trust, Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS), and the Mayor’s Office of Education Innovation today launched Teach Indy, a collaborative effort to recruit outstanding educators from across the state and country to teach in the public schools of Indianapolis’ urban core. Teach Indy aims to bolster the local pipeline of educator talent, as research consistently indicates that teacher quality is the most important school-based factor in student achievement.
Teach Indy centers on the theme “This is Why You Teach,” highlighting the many reasons why Indianapolis is a great place for teachers to realize their personal and professional aspirations. The campaign showcases Indianapolis’ wide array of school models and programs, as well as highlights many of the city’s unique assets, such as thriving cultural institutions, vibrant neighborhoods, and affordability. Teach Indy’s website, teachindynow.org, features a job portal to directly connect interested teachers with job openings at over 100 schools across Indianapolis’ public charter school sector and Indianapolis Public Schools. Testimonials from current Indianapolis educators can also be found on the site.
“We’re excited to launch Teach Indy as an important step toward building a stronger pipeline of teachers for public schools in Center Township,” said David Harris, The Mind Trust’s Founder and CEO. “Teach Indy furthers the tremendous impact of the partnership between Indianapolis Public Schools, the Mayor’s Office of Education Innovation, and The Mind Trust.
”This campaign allows us to continue pursuing the best talent to create better opportunities for our young people, build a thriving community and foster a stronger Indianapolis,” said Superintendent Dr. Lewis D. Ferebee.
“Quality education is the engine of the American dream – in Indianapolis, we are driven to make that dream a reality for all children,” said Mayor Joe Hogsett. “Working with our community and district partners, the Teach Indy campaign will enable us to attract and retain talented teachers in our city, ensuring quality education is accessible to youth in our urban core.”
The Mind Trust is sponsoring Teach Indy in an effort to improve the quantity and quality of applicants for teaching jobs in IPS and Mayor-sponsored charter schools located in Center Township. Teach Indy is a new strategy for recruiting teachers, part of a larger effort to deploy tactics focused on teacher training, professional development and retention.
In developing Teach Indy, the three organizations consulted a steering committee of Indianapolis education leaders and teachers, and worked to follow best practices developed from similar initiatives in Memphis, western Massachusetts, Oakland, Denver, and Washington, D.C.
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