J.P. Morgan Donates $1 Million to Train New York City Teachers

NEW YORK, March 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Robin Hood, New York City's leading poverty-fighting organization, announced today that J.P. Morgan, through the JPMorgan Chase Foundation, has approved a grant of $1 million to Relay School of Education, a new and groundbreaking master's degree teacher education program preparing teachers for the challenges they face in New York City schools serving low-income students. 

The J.P. Morgan grant will support Relay in implementing a program that brings about transformational change in teacher preparation.  Relay's unique, results-oriented curriculum uses video observation to reinforce practice-based, real-world instruction. The school ensures that all teachers who graduate with a master's degree show clear improvement in student performance as a pre-requisite for receiving a degree.  As a result, the program is fostering a new generation of educators who are focused on results and committed to continuously improving both their performance and their students. In five years, Relay expects to be training 800 teachers in New York City.

"Robin Hood believes that education is the most powerful tool we have in fighting poverty," said David Saltzman, Executive Director of Robin Hood.  "Deepening the pool of teachers in urban environments is instrumental in closing the achievement gap."

Jamie Dimon, JPMorgan Chase Chairman and CEO, said: "We are pleased to support the important work that Relay School of Education and Robin Hood provide to the community. This type of results-focused approach is an investment in our teachers and will ultimately benefit the children in urban communities who need it the most."

Formerly operated as Teacher U, this revolutionary program has already trained more than 400 teachers per year during a three year partnership with Hunter College's School of Education. 

In 2007, Robin Hood partnered with the leaders from the nation's most celebrated urban charter schools, Uncommon Schools, KIPP, and Achievement First, to design and launch this program dedicated to training and certifying public school teachers in proven teaching methods.  Today, Robin Hood continues to support Relay by providing it with sources of financial and intellectual capital.

About the JPMorgan Chase Foundation:

The JPMorgan Chase Foundation is an affiliate of JPMorgan Chase & Co. Its mission is to be a catalyst for meaningful, positive and sustainable change within our highest-need neighborhoods and communities globally. The firm's philanthropic investments are directed toward Community Development, Education and Arts & Culture. In 2010, JPMorgan Chase and its Foundation gave more than $150 million through grants and sponsorships to thousands of not-for-profit organizations across 28 domestic markets and more than 25 countries abroad. We also support the individual interests of our employees through the Matching Gift and volunteer programs.

About Robin Hood:

Robin Hood holds steadfast to a single mission: fight poverty in New York City. Robin Hood is changing the fates and saving the lives of our neighbors in need by applying investment principles to charitable giving. We find, fund and create the most effective programs and schools serving families in New York City's poorest neighborhoods. To ensure that every dollar is invested wisely, we rigorously assess each program using independent, third-party evaluators to hold each program accountable. Because Robin Hood's board of directors pays all administrative, fundraising and evaluation costs, 100 percent of donations go directly to organizations helping impoverished New Yorkers build better lives.

To learn more about Robin Hood, or to make a donation to help Robin Hood fight poverty, please visit our website: www.robinhood.org.

SOURCE Robin Hood