Improving Student Outcomes by Developing Excellent Teachers
The Academy for Urban School Leadership (AUSL) recruits, trains, and supports new teachers in underserved communities to ensure every student has a great teacher and a transformative education.
Our core values
Student-Centered
We hold students at the heart of our work. We understand that we must authentically listen and keep students’ unique needs at the center of all we do to foster whole-child success.
Tenacious Service
We embrace growth and resilience. We believe in continually assessing our impact, adapting to change and persisting through obstacles as opportunities to learn.
Community-Focused
We partner authentically with communities. We know that transformative educational experiences require learning from and with community members in relationships grounded in trust, care, and respect.
AUSL’s History
In 2001, Martin (Mike) Koldyke worked with Arne Duncan and Dr. Donald Feinstein to develop the Chicago Teacher Residency, an innovative model of teacher training.
This program provided Chicago Public Schools with high-quality teachers prepared to succeed within the demanding conditions of under-invested schools. In 2006, to better serve the needs of Chicago’s students, AUSL expanded its operations to include school management. While AUSL no longer manages schools, we continue to recruit and train highly effective educators and have evolved in the ways we support teachers and schools.
2000/2001
Arne Duncan, Martin Koldyke, and Dr. Donald Feinstein develop the Chicago Teacher Residency, a specialized training program for teachers in urban schools
2001/2002
AUSL opens first training academy, The Chicago Academy
2002/2003
First class of 31 residents graduate
2003/2004
AUSL opens second training academy, Dodge Renaissance Academy; 56 residents graduate
2004/2005
AUSL opens its first high school training academy, Chicago Academy High School; 34 residents graduate
2005/2006
AUSL opens Tarkington School of Excellence, 4th Training Academy; 43 residents graduate
2006/2007
AUSL’s first turnaround school, Sherman School of Excellence; 35 residents graduate
2007/2008
AUSL’s second turnaround school, Harvard School of Excellence; AUSL opens two more training academies, Collins Academy High School and National Teachers Academy; 44 residents graduate
2008/2009
Three new turnaround schools: Orr Academy High School and Morton and Howe Schools of Excellence; 69 residents graduate
2009/2010
New turnaround schools: Bethune, Johnson and Dulles Schools of Excellence; 56 residents graduate
2010/2011
Four new turnaround schools: Bradwell, Curtis and Deneen Schools of Excellence and Phillips Academy High School; 69 residents graduate
2011/2012
Morton and Howe become teacher training sites; 500th resident graduates
2012/2013
Six new turnaround schools: Casals, Fuller, Herzl, Marquette, Piccolo, and Stagg Schools of Excellence; Bradwell, Curtis, Dulles, Johnson, Orr and Phillips become teacher training sites; 149 residents graduate
2013/2014
Five new turnaround schools: Carter, Chalmers, Dewey, Lewis, and O’Keeffe Schools of Excellence; Deneen and Marquette become teacher training sites; Dodge co-locates with Morton; Bethune closes; 111 residents graduate
2015/2016
AUSL celebrates its 15th anniversary year; 69 residents graduate
2016/2017
Dewey becomes teacher training site; Dodge consolidates with Morton; 55 residents graduate and AUSL celebrates over 1,000 resident graduates
2017/2018
AUSL celebrates over 1,000 resident graduates. AUSL spotlighted as Innovation Zone by Bridgespan Group. Launched new brand identity: Better Schools. Brighter Futures.
2018/2019
How Schools Work by Arne Duncan is published, spotlighting AUSL’s work with Lewis School of Excellence.
Fast Start Working Group for Advisory Services established to increase student impact and revenue for organization.
2019/2020
Awarded NSI grant from Gates Foundation to create coordinated student supports from MS to HS and further develop AUSL Way.
New communications statement developed.
2020/2021
LiberatED Way is launched. The AUSL Residency is fully remote and develops a new remote coaching system.