We at the Charles Butt Foundation want to express our sincere gratitude to the teachers throughout our state doing incredible work. Last year, our public opinion research, heartfelt storytelling, strategic programming, and community partnerships all made one thing crystal clear — teachers deserve our respect and support.
Here is a look-back at our work throughout last year.
THE 2024 TEXAS TEACHER POLL
In the 2024 Texas Teacher Poll, teachers pinpointed ongoing challenges facing our educators, including low pay, inadequate support, and high levels of stress. Despite these challenges, teachers remain dedicated to their students, emphasizing the importance of student well-being and personalized learning.
THE 2024 TEXAS EDUCATION POLL
The 2024 Texas Education Poll highlighted strong public support for our public schools and Texans’ desire to increase funding for initiatives benefiting students, such as teacher salaries, mental health support, and career and technical education. Texans overwhelmingly value the contributions of teachers and believe they should have significant influence on classroom instruction.
CHARLES BUTT SCHOLARSHIP
We continue to partner with 26 Texas university-based teacher preparation programs to strengthen teacher education and deliver the Charles Butt Scholarship for Aspiring Teachers. These programs are committed to rigorous training, meaningful clinical experiences, and ongoing professional development. A total of 1,050 scholarships have been awarded over the last seven years to aspiring teachers, with 400 Scholars currently pursuing their teaching degree.
LEADERSHIP: Alumni Engagement, Raising School Leaders
Since 2008, the Charles Butt Foundation has proudly sponsored over 1,600 school leaders through our Raising School Leaders program. In summer 2024, the Charles Butt Foundation sent 30 educators to a weeklong summer institute at the Principals’ Center at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Preference was given to school leaders from schools and districts considered rural or with a district student enrollment of less than 5,500. We asked alums from across the years to share what being part of this program has meant to them personally, professionally, and to the school communities they lead. These are their powerful insights.
Innovation: Raising Blended Learners
Blended learning combines the best of in-person teaching with online technology to personalize instruction. It is a practice designed to address individual student needs by providing each child access to rigorous grade-level content while also addressing gaps in prior learning. Learn how blended learning has transformed the teaching profession.
TEACHING: STORIES OF IMPACT
This ongoing series showcases powerful stories of teachers and the profound impact they have on their students and communities. These narratives serve to elevate the teaching profession and inspire future generations of educators.
We believe that by working together, we can create a brighter future for all Texas students, and ensure that every child has access to a high-performing teacher and an excellent education.
Discover all posts