Our 2025 By the Numbers

IT’S GOOD NEWS

On this page you'll find the stories, stats, and financials behind Equity Institute's 2025. Teachers supported, communities convened, battles fought and funding won.

Through a year that tested our resilience and sharpened our mission, our numbers tell a story of a small team that punches well above its weight.

Despite it all, we're here to tell you: it's good news.

At the heart of our mission to create equitable and sustainable learning environments is the Educator Pathway Program (EPP), a focused, comprehensive model designed to develop, support, and retain high-quality certified classroom educators from diverse backgrounds.

This initiative is specifically designed to support dedicated teacher assistants currently working in Rhode Island public or charter schools, thereby investing in individuals already deeply connected to their school communities to create a more reflective and resilient teacher base, with the program currently designed to support up to 100 aspiring educators on this journey.

Educator Pathway Program

ADAPT & THRIVE

Our Program's Three PillarsIndividualized Pathway Coaching
Cohort Experience and Community
Financial Stipends

OUR EPP PROGRAM AT A GLANCE57Total Participants
211Support Funds Provided Totaling Over $24,000
Race/Ethnicity
    
  Black/African American: 15.3%
Latinx/a/o/e: 32.2%
Multiracial: 10.2%
Native American: 1.7%
White: 37.3%
Prefer not to answer: 3.3%
86%Retention Rate

      Role
      
        12.5%
        Support
        Staff
 
        5.4%
        Sub
        Teacher
 
        46.4%
        TA/
        Para
 
        5.4%
        Teacher
        Fellow
 
        30.4%
        Teacher
 
186Completed Coaching Sessions
$43,576Average Salary

  Men 14%
Women 86%

Every Voice Teaches

Ramona Santos Torres

Executive Director, PLEE

Jose Rodriguez

Assistant VP of Community and Belonging, College Unbound

Christina Turner

Board Chair, Equity Institute

Angélica Infante-Green

Rhode Island Commissioner of Education

Ashlie Grilz

Board Member, Equity Institute

Paula Guidales

EPP Alumni and Teacher Assistant

Our Meetups

Our Community

This year felt more important than ever to be in community. We successfully hosted impactful meetups throughout the school year, creating intentional spaces for networking, professional development, and inspiration. These gatherings brought together educators, nonprofit professionals, and supporters who connected with peers, heard from inspiring leaders, and discovered ways to actively contribute to our mission. The meetups reinforced our dedication to building a more diverse teacher workforce and creating lasting change through shared storytelling and collaboration.

"My favorite part is how their speakers motivate me to keep believing in my dreams."

— February Meetup Survey Respondent

"My first time here! Excellent speakers, space, and food. Please continue doing this work."

— February Meetup Survey Respondent

"Thank you for always creating a space for connection, inspiration, and sharing."

— February Meetup Survey Respondent

"The personalized messages from the speakers. I can tell everything is genuine, and it's real people talking about real things."

— May Meetup Survey Respondent

"My favorite part is the connection between and among this community!"

— May Meetup Survey Respondent

"Meetups are always an inspiring experience, hearing all these stories."

— September Meetup Survey Respondent

"My favorite part is how their speakers motivate me to keep believing in my dreams."

— February Meetup Survey Respondent

"My first time here! Excellent speakers, space, and food. Please continue doing this work."

— February Meetup Survey Respondent

"Thank you for always creating a space for connection, inspiration, and sharing."

— February Meetup Survey Respondent

4 Meetups

We successfully hosted four impactful meetups, creating intentional spaces for networking, bridging ideas, professional development, and inspiration throughout the year.

207 Participants

We brought together over 200 educators and leaders, fostering connection and collaboration within our community.

12 Speakers

We featured inspiring leaders who shared their insights and strategies for creating equitable and inclusive educational landscapes, amplifying diverse voices.