Aim High strives to propel more young people into careers in education. Our Aspiring Teachers Program exists to create a larger, more diverse, and better prepared pipeline of teachers and leaders for California schools.
California and the nation are experiencing an unprecedented teacher shortage, especially of teachers of color. Representation in the classroom matters. The benefits of having a teacher from the same racial background, particularly for Black and Latino students, show up in test scores and grades, behavior, attendance, high school and college enrollment. Studies show that a non-white student is less likely to encounter a same-race role model at school. Students connecting with a teacher with shared experiences can influence growth and provide opportunities to discover their true potential.
Aim High’s Aspiring Teachers Program lowers barriers to education careers through training, mentorship and coaching, while also leveraging Aim High’s middle school summer program as a training ground that propels more high school and college students into education careers. Aim High supports future educators from diverse communities, with mentorship, peer-support and an alumni community to support their career ambitions.
Since 1986, we have trained more than 4,000 educators.
Hands-on Training & Support
Diversifying the Teacher Pipeline
Innovative Classroom Methods
In 2021, Aim High launched the Alec Lee Fund for Aspiring Teachers, an endowment fund that will support our efforts in perpetuity. The fund also honored Aim High’s founding executive director, Alec Lee, who retired that year. “I cannot overstate the importance of excellent teaching and a school environment that celebrates the promise of all students,” he said. “This is what we create each summer at Aim High. This is what changes educational outcomes for low-income, first-generation young people.”
Aim High is doing the work to propel more people into teaching. Having a network to support your path to teaching is essential.
Viviana
Aim High makes me a better leader because it gives me a platform to inspire other educators.
