Launched in September 2019, BEI supports the recruitment, preparation, and retention of educators through our national Nnetwork of teacher residency members. Through funding, consulting, and relationship-centered support, BEI works alongside teacher residency programs as they prepare educators who are connected to the students and communities they serve. 

From the beginning, BEI has recognized that strong preparation alone is not enough. Aspiring educators must also be supported financially, professionally, and personally to persist through preparation and remain in the profession long-term. As a result, BEI investments are designed not only to support residents during their residency year but also to strengthen the broader conditions that help educators thrive over time. In its initial five-year run, BEI surpassed its goal, supporting more than 1,700 teacher residents toward becoming educators.

With a renewed philanthropic investment of $40 million, BEI is now entering Year 3 of Phase 2 of the initiative. This phase continues BEI’s commitment to supporting residency partnerships nationwide while deepening the focus on educator sustainability, retention, and long-term impact. BEI aims to help prepare and retain 2,400 additional educators through strong, sustainable residency partnerships across the country. Phase 2 continues BEI’s commitment to its core mission of supporting and empowering teacher residents from underrepresented and historically undersupported communities who reflect the students in the schools the teacher residents will serve.