Houston Endowment and Charles Butt Foundation partnering to bridge gap for students in teacher preparation programs
The Houston Teacher Pathways Consortium, a collaborative initiative from the Houston Endowment and the Charles Butt Foundation, officially kicked off with a convening of key partners.
This new program aims to support future teachers in Houston by creating a seamless teacher preparation pathway from community colleges to universities and provide financial assistance through the new Houston Teacher Pathways Scholarship.
“The Houston Teacher Pathways Consortium shows what’s possible when institutions work together to invest in future educators,” said Ann B. Stern, President and CEO of Houston Endowment. “At a time of real challenges in public education, this effort shifts the focus toward solutions—building stronger, more coordinated pathways that prepare teachers to thrive and stay in the communities they serve. We are proud to support this work and help lay the foundation for a more sustainable future for Houston’s students.”
The Houston Teacher Pathways Consortium is launching with six community college and university partnerships:
- University of Houston, Victoria and Houston Community College
- University of Houston, Downtown and Lone Star College, University Park
- Sam Houston State University and Lee College
- University of Houston, Clear Lake and San Jacinto College
- University of Houston and Wharton County Junior College
- Prairie View A&M University and Lone Star College, Tomball
The Consortium will meet regularly throughout the next two years to develop lasting partnerships between community colleges and universities and grow a pipeline of teacher candidates who graduate from a Houston-area public school and return to a Houston-area public school to teach.
Participating partners are committed to:
- building vetted feeder patterns to provide a clear, low-cost pathway for future teachers seeking preparation through a community college- university residency pathway, and
- improving cooperation between community colleges and university educator preparation programs (EPPs) to ensure ease of transfer and support for students throughout their higher education journey.
This initiative fosters a “co-ownership” model between community colleges and universities, aiming to make the transfer process smoother and more predictable for students.
“Every classroom needs a high-performing teacher, for all students, especially where they are needed most, and this is a powerful step forward for Houston’s future teaching corps,” said Thea Ulrich-Lewis, Vice President of Programs at the Charles Butt Foundation. “We are proud to partner with the Houston Endowment and local colleges and universities to break down barriers and provide tangible support for the next generation of educators.”
The Houston Teacher Pathways Scholarship will award scholarships to students in their last year of community college and first year of university, providing the critical financial support needed to complete their studies and enter the teaching profession. The scholarship will alleviate tuition costs and reduce barriers to higher education for students on the path to becoming educators. The first scholarships will be awarded to eligible students in June 2025. As the program continues to grow, the goal is to expand its reach and ensure more students can access the resources they need to pursue a career in education.
Click here for photos from the first Teacher Pathways Consortium Convening.