1,000 by 2025

1,000 by 2025 is a unique community-wide initiative tackling the shortage of diverse male teachers in Duval County through combining existing efforts in our community with new ideas, such as providing mentoring support and stipends to new teachers, creating affinity groups for Black male and Latino educators, and creating unique leadership opportunities for male teachers of color.

The roots of the 1,000 by 2025 Initiative began with over six months of research conducted by the Jacksonville Public Education Fund on recruiting and retaining male teachers of color. This endeavor included focus groups, publishing a study on teacher recruitment and retention, and looking at similar efforts in communities across the country. 

Duval County is pioneering this work in the state of Florida, building upon the amazing work already happening for our community. Through a combined effort from the Jacksonville Public Education Fund, Duval County Public Schools, and the University of North Florida, three strategies to improve teacher diversity have been identified as components of the 1,000 By 2025 Initiative:

  • Developing the teacher pipeline
  • Creating targeted marketing and communications
  • Conducting ongoing research and data tracking

Education partners and stakeholders are joining forces to bring the vision for impact to life. The initiative has received more than $1 million in funding from NewSchools Venture Fund, the Dolores Barr Weaver Legacy Fund and the Michael Ward and Jennifer Glock Foundation, among others. This funding allows us to offer incentives such as teacher stipends, grants for programs that recruit and retain diverse male teachers and coaches and mentors for new teachers.

See our Funders here.

This work is being led by a Steering Committee made up of community partners and educators in Duval County. Meet the Steering Committee here.