“So often decisions about education are made far removed from the classroom, without input from the newest teachers. Our action tank allows teachers—early in their career—an avenue to effect change on a large scale in the education world.” 

—Ben Jackson, high school English teacher, Denver, Colorado, and NMI participant

What is the New Millennium Initiative?

The New Millennium Initiative (NMI) was launched in 2009 by the Center for Teaching Quality. NMI cultivates cohorts of innovative and energized early-career teachers that come together to build and share knowledge of education policy and best practices, and to forge a vision for education reform that transcends the traditional divide between unions and administration. Teachers involved with NMI realize this vision by advocating for effective teaching policies at the local, state and national levels, with the overarching goal of dramatically improving student learning.

Download more information about the New Millennium Initiative here.

Why are the voices of NMI teachers important to education reform?

Newer teachers often find themselves left by the wayside in the debate over education reform, while unions, community-based and national organizations, and other stakeholders play a more dominant role. NMI offers effective early-career teachers an opportunity to:

• Contribute big and bold ideas for transforming education
• Practice leadership beyond the classroom
• Strengthen advocacy skills
• Become voices for education policy change in their communities, states and nationally

What are the goals of teachers involved with NMI?

NMI teachers use a combination of face-to-face and virtual organizing tools to do the following:

• Refine their policy insights and contribute their voices to decisions that affect the students and communities they serve
• Partner with local education funds and other community-based organizations in their areas to expand the constituency for progressive teaching policy reforms
• Deepen their knowledge of education policy and best practices
• Develop their skills as policy analysts and advocates

Why do teachers participate in NMI?

Teachers involved with NMI are fueled by a desire for innovative, transformational and sustainable education reform in their communities. They share a desire to work with others to create a fresh vision for the teaching profession and to spread their pedagogical and policy expertise beyond the classroom to effect lasting change.

Who are the teachers involved with NMI?

NMI represents a growing community of accomplished younger teachers who strive to position themselves as the chief agents of education reform at the local, state and national levels. NMI includes teacher leaders from a myriad of public and charter schools, classroom environments and teacher preparation pathways.

Where are the teachers involved with NMI located?

NMI is a national, virtual network with two teams that involve teachers from across the country and teacher teams based in:

• Denver metro area
• Hillsborough County, Florida
• Illinois (statewide)
• San Francisco Bay Area
• Washington (Seattle metro area)

How can teachers get involved with NMI?

For more information on the Denver NMI, contact Ali Kliegman.
For more information on the Washington NMI, contact Alesha Daughtrey.
For more information on the Hillsborough County NMI, contact Melissa Rasberry.
For more information on the Bay Area NMI and the Illinois NMI, contact Alesha Daughtrey.
For all other inquiries on NMI, send us an e-mail.

NMI receives generous support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Rose Community Foundation, the Stuart Foundation and other funders.