The Center for Urban Teaching (CfUT) is a nonprofit, Christian organization that seeks to identify, prepare, and support high-performing urban teachers and educational leaders in all types of schools, including public, charter, and private. 1 CfUT was founded at the Wisconsin Lutheran College in 2001 to improve the quality of education for students in urban schools. 2
Activities
The Center for Urban Teaching identifies talented teachers and educational leaders early in their education or careers and invites them on school tours to connect them with a network of experienced urban teachers and leaders. CfUT assists in job placement, provides trainings specifically geared towards urban classrooms, and offers professional development opportunities. 1
The Center for Urban Teaching measures its results through the academic success of the students taught by their teachers. CfUT claims that students improved by an average of 26 percent in reading and 22 percent in math during its 2018 summer school program, and that growth targets on the MAP Assessment were met by 99 percent in reading and 108 percent in math in 2017. 3
The Center for Urban Teaching partners with K-12 schools, universities, and community organizations to reduce competition between educational agencies and encourage collaboration and cooperation, all in an effort to better serve students by more effectively preparing teachers and educational leaders. 4
Funding
The Center for Urban Teaching is funded by donations from individuals, foundations, and businesses. While CfUT does not disclose other donors, tax filings confirm donations from the Stimac Family Foundation ($300,000 in 2019), 5 the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation ($220,000 in 2020), 6 and the Harley-Davidson Foundation ($10,000 in 2019). 7
People
Krysta DeBoer is the executive director of Center for Urban Teaching and formerly worked as a teacher and instructional mentor at HOPE Christian School. 8
Jose Rosario is the director of mission advancement at CfUT and formerly worked as the dean of students at HOPE Christian School. 9
Ray Dusseau is the founder of CfUT and formerly worked as a professor of education at Wisconsin Lutheran College. Dusseau is the former president of the Wisconsin State Human Relations Association. 10
Jamie Luehring is the chair of the board of CfUT, the president of Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School, and the former executive director of HOPE Christian Schools. 11
Allen Ruppel is the founder, development director, and former executive director of Unity in Motion. Ruppel is the treasurer on the board of the Hope Christian Schools network. 12
Henry Tyson is the superintendent of St. Marcus Lutheran School. 13
Other members of the board include Brad Kurtzweil, treasurer; James Goldschmidt, secretary; Rob Adams; and Ryan Rogers. 2
References
- “What We Do.” Center for Urban Teaching, Inc, 2021. Accessed September 30, 2022. https://cfut.org/what-we-do/.
- “Who We Are.” Center for Urban Teaching, Inc, 2021. Accessed September 30, 2022. https://cfut.org/meet-our-cfut-team/.
- “CfUT Results | For Our Students.” Center for Urban Teaching, Inc, 2021. Accessed October 10, 2022. https://cfut.org/cfut-results-for-our-students/.
- “Partner Organizations.” Center for Urban Teaching, Inc, 2021. Accessed October 10, 2022. https://cfut.org/partner/.
- Stimac Family Foundation, Return of Private Foundation (Form 990-PF), 2019, Part XV, Line 3.
- Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, Return of Private Foundation (Form 990-PF), 2020, Part XV, Line 3.
- Harley-Davidson Foundation, Return of Private Foundation (Form 990-PF), 2019, Part XV, Line 3.
- “Krysta DeBoer.” Center for Urban Teaching, Inc, 2021. Accessed September 30, 2022. https://cfut.org/krysta-deboer/.
- “Jose Rosario.” Center for Urban Teaching, Inc, 2021. Accessed September 30, 2022. https://cfut.org/jose-rosario/.
- “Ray Dusseau.” Center for Urban Teaching, Inc, 2021. Accessed September 30, 2022. https://cfut.org/ray-dusseau/.
- “Jamie Luehring.” Center for Urban Teaching, Inc, 2021. Accessed September 30, 2022. https://cfut.org/jamie-luehring/.
- “Home.” Unity in Hope School. Accessed October 2, 2022. https://www.unityinhopeschool.org/
- [1] “Who We Are.” Center for Urban Teaching, Inc, 2021. Accessed September 30, 2022. https://cfut.org/meet-our-cfut-team/.