Village of Wisdom, a nonprofit organization in Durham, has received a $4 million Education Innovation and Research (EIR) grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The organization, led by Dr. William P. Jackson, aims to improve educational opportunities for Black children. The grant will fund the That’s Just Good Teaching (TJGT) Program, a five-year initiative that promotes parent-teacher partnerships.
The TJGT program is a unique initiative that encourages cooperation between teachers and parents. It aims to create learning strategies and digital resources that meet the needs of students. The program includes teacher training, parent-teacher residencies, community assessments, and participant stipends. Its goal is to enhance both social-emotional and academic outcomes for students in need.
The grant will cover 83% of the program costs. The remaining $800,000, or 17%, will be raised over the program’s five-year duration. The TJGT Program aligns with Village of Wisdom’s mission to create conducive learning environments for Black children. The program is influenced by the work of Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billings, a pioneer in culturally relevant teaching methods.