Part 2: Growing the Pipeline—How Community and Leadership Sustain Renton’s Teacher Academy

In Part 2 of our conversation with Carla Smith and her colleagues from Renton Public Schools in Washington, we take a deeper look at how their Teacher Academy evolved from a small cohort into a thriving, district-wide pipeline preparing the next generation of educators. What began as a simple effort to inspire students to consider teaching has grown—piece by piece—into a powerful, community-driven program serving more than 150 students annually, with plans to expand even further.

The team shares how the program’s success is rooted in relationships: teachers identifying promising students, alumni returning to mentor the next cohort, and dedicated teacher leaders stepping forward to guide the work. From veteran educators launching new program sections to first-year instructors building excitement among their students, the Teacher Academy thrives because of educators who believe deeply in helping young people pursue careers in education.

Listeners will also hear how Renton extends its support beyond high school, creating intentional pathways into college and early career roles. Through advisory boards, alumni mentorship, and ongoing connection—including informal gatherings like “Coffee with Carla”—the program ensures students remain supported as they transition into the profession. This commitment to long-term mentorship helps reinforce confidence, sustain passion, and strengthen the educator pipeline from within the community.

This episode is also available on YouTube as a video podcast:
https://youtu.be/AJvySd0kP6c