March 25, 2026 — The National Center for Teacher Residencies (NCTR) is partnering with AACTE (American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education), and Deans for Impact to co-sponsor Washington Week 2026 which will occur June 1-3 in Washington D.C. The organizations will bring together leaders from across the educator preparation community to engage directly with federal policymakers on strengthening the nation’s educator workforce.
The partnership between NCTR, AACTE, and Deans for Impact reflects a shared commitment to advance strong, sustainable pathways into the profession.
“Washington Week 2026 is a critical opportunity for our field to have a voice in the decisions that shape our schools and communities,” said NCTR CEO Kathlene Campbell, Ph.D. “In partnership with AACTE and Deans for Impact, we are organizing time to meet with policymakers so that they can hear directly from programs preparing the next generation of teachers. With students at the core of why we need to recruit, prepare, and retain effective teachers, it is our collective responsibility to advocate for the policies and investments to support educator preparation across the country.”
Washington Week will include policy briefings, strategy sessions, and opportunities to connect with federal leaders shaping education policy. The event culminates with the signature Day on the Hill, when participants meet with members of Congress and their staff to discuss how federal policies and investments affect educator preparation programs and the institutions they serve.
For more information, visit our Washington Week 2026 website.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Alicia Roberson
Director of Marketing and Communications
media@nctresidencies.org
About NCTR
The National Center for Teacher Residencies (NCTR) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing, launching, supporting, and accelerating the impact of teacher residency and registered apprenticeship programs. Headquartered in Chicago, NCTR’s mission is to transform educator preparation by preparing, supporting, and retaining more effective educators who represent and value the communities they serve. For more information about NCTR, visit www.nctresidencies.org.
About AACTE
Established in 1948, AACTE is the leading voice in educator preparation. AACTE’s member institutions and programs prepare the greatest number of professional educators in the United States and its territories, including teachers, counselors, administrators, and college faculty. These professional educators are prepared for careers in PK-12 classrooms, colleges and universities, state and governmental agencies, policy institutes, and non-profit organizations. Learn more at aacte.org.
About Deans for Impact (DFI)
Deans for Impact is a national non-profit organization committed to ensuring that every child is taught by a well-prepared teacher. DFI supports educator-preparation programs to bring the science of learning into teaching practice; partners with policymakers to ensure pathways into teaching are instructionally-focused, practice-based, accessible, and innovative and responsive; and equips leaders with the tools to address today’s most pressing challenges in educator preparation. Guided by principles of learning science, DFI aims to help aspiring and early-career teachers create rigorous and affirming classrooms where all children thrive. Learn more at deansforimpact.org.