Teacher Initiative
Rodel Teacher Initiative
"The mediocre teacher tells.
The good teacher explains.
The superior teacher demonstrates.
The great teacher inspires."
-- William Arthur Ward
The need for enough teachers in the classroom is great; the need for highly effective teachers in every classroom is even greater. The Rodel Charitable Foundation of Arizona created the Rodel Exemplary Teacher Initiative to address the shortage of effective teachers in Arizona’s neediest schools and maximize students’ educational experience one classroom at a time.
The Rodel Exemplary Teacher Initiative seeks to increase the number of excellent teachers in high-poverty schools by:
Identifying and Recognizing Extraordinary Teachers
Rodel identifies teachers with a track record of extraordinary student achievement in high-poverty schools. Rodel Exemplary Teachers are honored at an annual awards banquet and each receive $10,000 in U.S. Savings Bonds. As Rodel Exemplary Teachers, they have committed to supervise and mentor six Rodel Promising Student Teachers over the next three years. In 10 years, more than 1,000 new teachers – mentored and trained by Rodel Exemplary Teachers – will have the potential to reach more than 1 million Arizona students.
Pairing Rodel Exemplary Teachers with Rodel Promising Student Teachers
Rodel is partnering with Arizona colleges of education and teacher preparation programs to pair Rodel Exemplary Teachers with the very best student teachers. Rodel Promising Student Teachers will complete their student teaching with a Rodel Exemplary Teacher who will model excellence and support the student teacher in becoming an extraordinary teacher.
In addition, student teachers will receive supplemental training and mentoring from Rodel staff designed to further prepare them for their first years of teaching. This training will specifically address the challenges of teaching in high-poverty schools and focus on practical strategies for increasing student achievement.
Encouraging Student Teacher Graduates to Teach in High-Poverty Schools
Rodel Graduates who choose to work in high-poverty areas for at least three consecutive years will receive a $10,000 U.S. Savings Bond upon completion of the third year.
During these three years, Rodel will provide ongoing support for professional development and collaboration with other Rodel Graduates. Rodel Exemplary Teachers will be available to ensure success by offering support as these new teachers negotiate the inevitable challenges of teaching in high-poverty schools.
To date, nearly all Rodel Promising Student Teacher Graduates are teaching in high-poverty schools!