Teach Waterloo

Photo courtesy of UNI Alumni Magazine

Teach Waterloo is the Foundation's most recent District Initiative, In the fall of 2021, the WSF pledged $300,000 to this program through the late Eleanor Ketchum's generosity.

Teach Waterloo is a partnership between the Waterloo Schools and the University of Northern

Iowa’s College of Education, originally piloted by the R.J. McElroy Trust. This partnership allows selected minority support staff to receive their education degree from UNI free of cost and secures them a teaching position in the WCSD post-graduation. The Foundation’s pledge covers tuition and fees for participants.

With over 50% of Waterloo Schools students belonging to one or more minority groups, representation in leadership is vital within our district. Studies show that if minority students have a minority teacher throughout their K-12 education, school dropout rates significantly decrease, and successful post-secondary education and career interest increase by nearly 40%.

This partnership is beneficial not only to students but to participants as well, as it allows these individuals to help eliminate generational poverty and the wealth gap. These new teachers help grow academic performance, create environments where students from all backgrounds feel welcomed, and ensure that our teachers and leaders reflect our student population.