Tulane SoPA, partners awarded $8.4M grant to build teacher leadership pathways in New Orleans

The Tulane School of Professional Advancement (SoPA), Southern University of New Orleans, The New Teacher Project and New Schools for New Orleans (NSNO), were awarded  $8.4 million from the U.S. Department of Education to create leadership pathways for teachers at New Orleans public schools.

The Teacher Quality Partnership (TQP) Grant funds will work in tandem with more than $10 million in Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED)grant funds awarded to the partners in 2022. That funding covered tuition for students earning the Master of Arts in Teaching at Tulane SoPA in exchange for a commitment to teach in Orleans Parish after graduating.

"We are honored to join the Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED)/TQP family at the U.S. Department of Education and look forward to the impact this funding will have on our educational initiatives," said Dr. Hazel Woods, associate director of the education program at Tulane SoPA. "This grant will allow us to continue working toward improving student achievement and preparing highly qualified teachers who meet state certification standards."

“This grant will allow us to continue working toward improving student achievement and preparing highly qualified teachers who meet state certification standards.”

Dr. Hazel Woods, associate director of the education program at Tulane SoPA

“We pursued the TQP grant because we recognize the urgent need to cultivate a diverse and highly skilled pipeline of educators and school leaders who reflect the rich culture of New Orleans,” said Dr. Jahquille Ross, chief of talent at NSNO. “Our students deserve educators who are not only deeply committed to their success, but who also understand and are connected to their communities.”

Ross said the funding will allow for continued expansion of efforts to support aspiring educators and school leaders, particularly in high-need schools, ensuring that all students have access to a great school, high-quality education, and the excellent educators.

The Education Program at Tulane SoPA will receive $775,309 over five years to support staff who will develop a school leadership pathway for teachers. NSNO serves as the fiscal agent for the grant, which will support the hiring of a teacher leadership expert to develop the academic pathway, adjuncts to teach the courses, a residency and leadership coordinator to work with local schools, and a success coach to support the students.

Partners will also receive a portion of the award annually on Oct. 1, over the next five years. The first year of the grant will focus on foundational work, including developing the leadership curriculum, participating in webinars and one-on-one consultations with TQP program officers. These efforts will help lay the groundwork for an ambitious plan to bolster the teaching profession in New Orleans.

As part of the grant’s priorities, each partner will develop new leadership tracks for teachers. Tulane SoPA’s Education Program is developing a pathway for teachers who aspire to become principals.

For more information about Tulane SoPA Education Program visit sopa.tulane.edu/education.