Community Teachers Institute (CTI) believes all students can achieve any standards when teachers have high expectations and the expertise to foster a student's personal academic development. CTI's services seek to enhance teacher and student education so they can provide content that is culturally relevant and pedagogically based on best practices for urban schools.
 
Founded in 1989, Community Teachers Institute (CTI) has been focused on the broad educational needs of inner city disadvantaged youth and urban public education. The failure of America’s public schools to effectively serve students of color, particularly those in urban, low-income communities has been well documented. Compared to other populations, African-American and Latino students score significantly lower on standardized tests drop out of school at higher rates and attend or complete college in fewer numbers. Yet, throughout the nation, it has been proven that qualified teachers and empowering curriculum create youth that become active learners and community change agents.

CTI believes that one way to meet this challenge is to “grow” a more qualified, diverse, and culturally connected teacher workforce, not only in the inner city, but also in the ever-changing surrounding suburbs. Public schools need “Community Teachers” who:

• are more able to connect with and engage their students in the educational process;
• inspire students to achieve high standards, and
• produce high school graduates who successfully pursue higher education and careers.

PROGRAMS

Institute for Emerging Leaders in Public Schools – A year-long program of forty-five (45) teacher leaders and assistant principals that includes a week-long summer session, four quarterly education symposiums, networking, and site visits.

National Collaborative on Diversity in the Teaching Force – A two-year partnership with the National Education Association to update state-by-state research on strategies, policies, and initiatives currently in place to attract and retain a diverse teaching force. The second year will include the development of a public policy agenda in three to six target states.

Peter Greeman Scholarship – A scholarship award for educators who pursue advanced degrees in education. Scholarship recipients will participate in all CTI activities, including the Institute for Emerging Leaders and the annual awards program. Scholarship recipients will have demonstrated “community teacher” characteristics and will show a commitment to transforming urban public education.

Community Teacher Fellowship – Three fellows will be chosen to work with each CTI program for one year. Fellows will participate in research, material development, event planning, curriculum writing, and grant writing. A Resident Scholar will lead CTI’s research and curriculum development efforts.

Of immense benefit to all CTI participants is the networking and "community educator" cohort that derives from its programs. In-service teachers and administrators are, in addition to improving their teaching skills and other competencies, awarded in-service professional development points as required by their school systems.

CTI will conduct onsite and follow up evaluation of its programs and its participants. This evaluation research will enable CTI to continuously improve the curriculum of the Institute, the effectiveness of other programs, as well as identify and replicate those techniques that are leading to urban educator success.

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