Deans for Impact (DFI)

We’re excited to present at r@researchED_US NYC on May 2! DFI’s @p_steck & Randi Blair will share how the #ScienceOfLearning strengthens instruction from teacher prep to PK-12—and offer an early look at The Science of Learning 2.0. Join us: sites.google.com/view/rednyc26/… #rEDNYC26

"The most important skills we can teach students are the nature of evidence, to ask good questions, to engage in inquiry, to assess the trustworthiness of sources..." 🎥 Dr. Stephanie van Hover discusses engaging students to think deeply about content. youtube.com/watch?v=pLq4e4…

How can every pathway into teaching provide high-quality instruction? On 4/21, 3 p.m. ET, our VP of Program, Amber Willis, joins a panel of experts for a webinar on strengthening instructional quality across certification pathways. Hosted by @readingby3rd glrcenter-org.zoom.us/webinar/regist…

"Our group serves as an example of what can happen when leaders become advocates and get involved in policy." In our latest blog, Kim Hawkins (@carson_newman_u) shares how #ed-prep leaders can shape policies that strengthen teacher preparation. deansforimpact.org/about/news-and…

In a new op-ed in @The74, our VP @p_steck and @stepuptutoringg CEO @sambrown923 explore how unlocking federal work-study funds for #tutoring and embedding tutoring in teacher-prep programs can close student learning gaps while strengthening #teacher-prep. the74million.org/article/americ…

How can we better connect teacher-prep faculty with #PK–12 districts so they can observe literacy instruction and strengthen coursework? TX #EPPs in our literacy network reflect on a recent learning visit. Learn about partnering with us: deansforimpact.org/work-with-us

@readingby3rd is teaming up with @WilliamPennFdn to examine the holistic solutions required to #bridgethegap between initial entry and full certification with @cityteachingall, @DrexelUniv, @deansforimpact and @MarianUniv on 4/21 @ 3pm REGISTER ➡️ bit.ly/3LkTvIy

Stronger #teacherprep requires more than policy—it takes alignment across the ecosystem. How @carson_newman_u partnered with Jefferson County Schools and DFI to help future teachers plan and deliver rigorous, standards-aligned lessons. Read more: deansforimpact.org/about/news-and…

What does the science of expertise tell us about learning to teach? Practice with Purpose connects the principles of deliberate practice—used in fields like surgery, music, and chess—to how teacher-preparation programs help candidates build teaching skill. deansforimpact.org/tools-and-reso…

Teachers need time to deeply prepare lessons aligned to standards and to anticipate student misunderstandings that may arise. Our Lesson Internalization Protocols for elementary ELA & math outline key steps for effective planning. deansforimpact.org/tools-and-reso… deansforimpact.org/tools-and-reso…

Congrats to our Sr Program Dir Kathleen Castillo-Clark on publishing a chapter in Problems of Practice: Case Studies of the Superintendency! Kathleen supports #teacherprep leaders and state partners through her work at Deans for Impact. Preorder the book: bookstore.emerald.com/problems-of-pr…

How are major shifts in instruction and technology reshaping teacher preparation? 🎙️ Our #podcast Hand in Hand, Place to Place brings together #edprep leaders to discuss what these changes mean for preparing today’s teachers. Listen to all four episodes: deansforimpact.org/podcast

As #NationalReadingMonth wraps up, our Senior Program Dir Liza Kostreva shares why #teacherprep matters for literacy. By equipping future teachers with the knowledge & evidence-based methods to teach reading well, #EPPs can help ensure every student becomes a confident reader.

Preparing teachers to use #HQIM well takes more than coursework—it requires strong partnerships between #EPPs and PK-12 systems, and leaders becoming advocates. See how @carson_newman_u and TN partners are working together to strengthen #teacherprep: deansforimpact.org/about/news-and…

What do #teacherprep programs that prepare confident, skilled teachers have in common? Our research points to 4 essentials: modeling, practice, feedback, and alignment, grounded in the #ScienceOfLearning. Explore the foundations of effective teacher prep: deansforimpact.org/building-blocks

For #NationalReadingMonth, our Program Director Kendra Gray reflects on why understanding foundational skills and using #HQIM effectively can help students access reading with the urgency they deserve. 📚

Missed an episode of our podcast? 🎙️ Hand in Hand, Place to Place explores how #teacherprep has evolved, where it’s headed, and how we can ensure all pathways into teaching are high-quality and affordable. Catch all 4 conversations here: deansforimpact.org/podcast

Registration is now open! AACTE Washington Week 2026 is proudly co-sponsored by @NCTResidencies and @deansforimpact. Learn more and register today. tinyurl.com/3sbkcumf #AACTEWW26 #StrongerTogether #EdPrep #Advocacy

Want to shape the next generation of teacher-prep leaders? DFI is hiring an Impact Academy Program Director to guide our flagship program. Bring your experience coaching leaders & designing learning: deansforimpact.org/about/careers

Access to high-quality instructional materials matters, but they don’t ensure rigorous, engaging learning. Program Director Caitlin Burkholder-Travis urges states to pair #HQIM with intentional, well-funded support so teachers implement them effectively. deansforimpact.org/about/news-and…