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Black Educator Excellence Cohort (BEEC)

Black Educator Excellence Cohort (BEEC)
Taryn Walker teaching fifth-grade students at Clarence L Farrington School 61

TNTP Teaching Fellows is dedicated to equitable education, striving for economic and social mobility for our students and educators. A diverse teacher workforce is key for all students, especially students of color. However, with over 80% of teachers being white and more than half of K–12 students being students of color, there’s a growing racial disparity.

The Black Educator Excellence Cohort (BEEC) was created to tackle issues that impact Black teachers more than their peers and work towards a more inclusive and impactful educational environment. The BEEC offers resources such as some financial support during summer training, partial tuition assistance, free exam preparation resources, and a chance to connect with fellow cohort members and experienced educators.

We all understand the struggles that Black people face in the education system, so being able to bring what I learn in our pre-service training classes to those people in our cohort has been really inspiring and motivational. When I feel like this is challenging, they always remind me why we’re here and what we want to do.

— Batool Ibrahim, Baltimore City Teaching Residency

BEEC has supported me in so many meaningful and impactful ways. The most impactful thus far has been the ability to breathe in our BEEC space. When I say breathe, I literally mean breathe. The Mental and Emotional Check In during our BEEC time together should be bottled up and sold. During this pandemic those check ins with BEEC are definitely keeping me afloat.

— Dwana Castile, teachNOLA

The BEEC program is important for Black educators because it provides a support system that is both responsive and relevant. It creates a space for Black educators to discuss and deliberate matters that are contextually significant to our community.

— Troy Smith, Indianapolis Teaching Fellows

What is the Black Educator Excellence Cohort (BEEC)?

We know so many talented aspiring Black teachers can impact the lives of all students, but historical barriers such as program costs, exam fees, and personal expenses while transitioning to teaching disproportionately impact potential teachers of color.

That’s where TNTP’s Black Educator Excellence Cohort (BEEC) comes in. The BEEC was designed to address barriers that keep aspiring Black teachers from entering the classroom. BEEC members receive some financial support during summer training, partial tuition assistance, and exam preparation resources. Understanding the diversity gap in teaching, the BEEC offers the opportunity to build community and fellowship with other members and a network of Black educators to limit feelings of isolation. We look forward to welcoming the 7th BEEC cohort.

BEEC Financial Support

Financial support is contingent upon program needs. To qualify for assistance, you need to be in good standing with both your program and partner school.

Baltimore City Teaching Residency Support

Type Award Amount Disbursement Timeline
Transition Stipend Total: $3750 Three equal disbursements of $1250 during the first month of PST, after completion of PST, and during the first month of the school year.
Tuition Assistance Total $2400 Applied directly to tuition balance: $1200 in October 2025 and October 2026
Exam Fee Stipend $450 After completion of pre-service training. Contingent on submission of a testing diagnostic, proof of approved exemption or previous score report.
Total $6600

teachNOLA Support

Type Award Amount Disbursement Timeline
Transition Stipend Total: $3750 Three equal disbursements of $1250 during the first month of PST, after completion of PST, and during the first month of the school year.
Tuition Assistance Total $2400 Applied directly to tuition balance: $1200 in October 2025 and March 2026
Exam Fee Stipend $150 After completion of PST. Contingent on submission of a testing diagnostic, proof of approved exemption or previous score report.
Total $6300

Teach Minnesota Support

Type Award Amount Disbursement Timeline
Transition Stipend Total: $4500 Three equal disbursements of $1500 during the first month of PST, after completion of PST, and during the first month of the school year.
Tuition Assistance Total $3000 Applied directly to tuition balance: $1500 in October 2025 and March 2026
Total $7500

Nevada Teacher Corps Support

Type Award Amount Disbursement Timeline
Transition Stipend Total: $3750 Three equal disbursements of $1250 during the first month of PST, after completion of PST, and during the first month of the school year.
Tuition Assistance Total $2400 Applied directly to tuition balance: $1200 in October 2025 and March 2026
Exam Fee Stipend $150 After completion of PST. Contingent on submission of a testing diagnostic, proof of approved exemption or previous score report.
Total $6300

Indianapolis Teaching Fellows Support

Type Award Amount Disbursement Timeline
Transition Stipend Total: $3750 Three equal disbursements of $1250 during the first month of PST, after completion of PST, and during the first month of the school year.
Tuition Scholarship N/A As an Indianapolis Teaching Fellow, you may be eligible to enroll in the TNTP AmeriCorps Program and offset 100% of the tuition costs for Marian University.
Exam Fee Stipend $150 After completion of PST. Contingent on submission of a testing diagnostic, proof of approved exemption or previous score report.
Total $3900

BEEC Eligibility

  • Be enrolled and in good standing with one of our five Teaching Fellows programs and partner school
  • Identify as Black/African American on your initial application

Hear It From Them

BEEC Testimonials

"Teaching is a challenging yet rewarding career that takes determination and consistency. There will be days you want to give up, but you lean on your coaches and other members of the cohort."

Head-and-shoulders photo of Jazmin Sanders

Jazmin Sanders

Indianapolis Teaching Fellows

Elementary, K-2

"I believe that it is important to teach right now because equitable education is under attack."

Headshot of Troy Smith

Troy Smith

Indianapolis Teaching Fellows

Elementary, 5-6

"Teaching is, “you get to,” not "you have to.” You get to prepare the next generation. That’s amazing."

Head-and-shoulders photo of Dwana Caliste

Dwana Caliste

teachNOLA

English, 9-12

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