This school year has felt dramatically different. It has been incredibly hard on our students, parents and teachers as they deal with quarantines, hybrid learning and recovery from the year behind screens. Furthermore, this has been hardest on our most vulnerable children and families, the ones with the fewest resources; the students of color who are the perpetual victims of systemic inequity, for whom school serves a much larger purpose than reading or arithmetic.

Through all of this, we are inspired each day by our educators. Teachers are stepping into leadership roles, shining through as a necessary constant, especially in times of uncertainty. As the #1 factor in student achievement, they are striving to make learning not only accessible but engaging for every student, putting community and equity at the center of their work. 

And yet, today, our students are facing a future where they cannot count on their classroom to be filled with an experienced teacher. As a nation we are losing over 50% of educators within their first 5 years, and in Illinois, we are battling a critical teacher shortage. 

TST is helping schools recognize that pandemic recovery is truly going to take a village. We are investing in excellent people, growing them into agents of change and retaining their talent in schools. We are proud to have worked over the last six years across our city, truly defining ourselves as “people-first” capacity-creators. 

Your support helps us make sure that every school, no matter the zip code, is filled with excellent empowered educators.

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What are people are saying?

• “This year is an uphill battle. TST is my artillery” -TST Teacher 
• "TST has helped keep us sane and grounded this year- we have come to lean on one another and support each other.  It has become a real source of problem solving, and community especially in these crazy remote learning times. "  -TST Teacher 

Where do we spend the money?

Your donation goes directly to supporting our schools. This means we spend donations on things such as student academic supplies, school resources, community events, and building pathways for excellent teachers to impact more students.