Announcements

FFT Names New Board Chair

FUND FOR TEACHERS NAMES JONAS ZUCKERMAN CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
National Advocate for Equitable Education Moves into New Leadership Role

May 24, 2024 (Houston) – Fund for Teachers, one of the country’s largest investors in preK-12 educators, has named Jonas Zuckerman as its new board chair. Having served as a Fund for Teachers board member since 2018, he will continue to contribute his experience and expertise, particularly in the realms of equity and public-school education, to guide the nonprofit into its next twenty-five years of supporting preK-12 teachers’ professional learning.

Zuckerman manages Zuckerman Education Consulting, LLC, which he founded to support the effective administration of federal education programs so that every student will be successful. This life-long commitment began as a Teach for America corp member at Golden Gate Elementary School in Oakland, CA. He became a trusted presence within the Oakland Unified School District as a teacher, athletic director, and new teacher coach, before joining the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and, eventually, directing its Title I and School Support Team.

Zuckerman also served as president of the National Association of Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) State Program Administrators (NAESPA). In these positions, he supported ESEA programs, which include funding  to raise the academic achievement of struggling learners and address the complex challenges that arise for students who live with disability, mobility problems, learning difficulties, poverty, or transience, or who need to learn English.

“I am very excited to continue my work with Fund for Teachers in this new role as board chair. I have always had tremendous respect and admiration for the organization, especially how it honors, respects, promotes, and supports the professionalism of teachers. Teacher retention is a significant issue right now, and I believe that FFT can help schools and districts retain some of their most effective teachers. I aam looking forward to working with the board and FFT staff to continue to fulfill our mission.”

“Sixty-seven percent of Fund for Teachers Fellows teach students in a Title I setting,” explained Karen Eckhoff, Fund for Teachers’ executive director. “Jonas’ deep knowledge of ESEA funding — combined with his passion for equitable education and institutional knowledge of our organization — uniquely position him to lead our work of investing in teachers and their students.”

Zuckerman replaces outgoing board chair Chris Santiago, who guided Fund for Teachers through the pandemic in this role after serving as a board member for the previous eight years. Santiago remains on the board as a director.

“The Fund for Teachers board is pleased and fortunate to have Jonas expand his leadership role and guide the organization through our next phase of recognizing, supporting, and providing opportunities for teachers across the country,” Santiago said.

The board of directors also saw the retirement of founding board member Dorothea “Dottie” Engler. Engler provided formative insight as Fund for Teachers moved from an idea to a granting institution, bringing her experience as Harvard University’s director of public affairs for Graduate School of Education, and later as Boston Plan for Excellence’s director of special projects. In recognition of Engler’s longstanding leadership, Fund for Teachers has established the Dottie Engler “Follow the Learning” annual fellowship.

Since 2001, Fund for Teachers has invested $37 million in nearly 10,000 preK-12 educators, transforming grants into growth for teachers and their students. Public, private and charter school teachers design unique fellowship grants to pursue learning during the summer.

Access the complete list of 2024 Fund for Teachers Fellows here.