Big changes require leaders to shift how they think and work. Education First understands how incentives, capacity, procurement, technical assistance and politics collide, leading to fragmentation and stagnation. We partner with funders and education leaders to lead experiences that build capacity rather than dependency. We design and facilitate convenings where local, state, campus and nonprofit leaders build shared understanding and ownership, tackle real, job-embedded challenges together and turn ideas into collective action.
With Equal Opportunity Schools and the All In Attendance Collaborative, we coached district and school teams from Chicago, Miami-Dade and New York City to update strategic and implementation plans. We also delivered a landscape scan and a Student Attendance Toolkit.
In partnership with the Gates Foundation, since 2016 Education First has facilitated a community of practice with innovative teacher preparation programs. Network participants have defined data needs, developed new teacher competencies and drafted guides for faculty to use high-quality instructional materials in methods courses.
In partnership with the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Gates Foundation and Walton Family Foundation, Education First facilitated a multi-year learning network for more than a dozen states exploring or implementing through-year summative assessments. The network supported shared planning and implementation, helping state leaders design higher-quality, instructionally-useful assessment systems.
With support from ECMC Foundation and Powell Foundation, our Peer Learning Collective convenes K12 and postsecondary nonprofit executives navigating substantial policy, funding and organizational disruption. Through facilitated cohort learning and individualized coaching, leaders share knowledge and build practical skills to adapt and plan for change.
While districts differ, Chief Talent Officers face shared challenges. With support from the Joyce Foundation and participating districts, Education First convenes a virtual community of talent leaders from more than a dozen of the largest urban school systems in the U.S. Through peer learning, leaders strengthen talent strategy and implementation to build resilient human capital systems.
Chronic absenteeism was surging in Ohio, with rates nearing 17% post‑pandemic and climbing sharply as schools struggled to re‑engage students. Education First stepped in as the strategic and operational backbone for an intensive multi-year collaboration among the Cleveland Browns Foundation, the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, and Harvard’s Proving Ground. Together, we launched the Stay in the Game! Attendance Network, a statewide campaign helping students, families, and schools take concrete steps to boost attendance.
We are former funders, system and nonprofit leaders who are experts in adult learning. We help you build leadership capacity and generate action through intentional convening design, peer-to-peer learning and strategic advising so all students are prepared for college, careers and a changing world.
for updates
