A Beacon of Progress: Evolving Rhode Island’s Teacher Workforce
RISPE was founded to reimagine both who gets to teach and what teaching can be. As the first institution of its kind in Rhode Island, RISPE is reshaping the future of education by preparing a teacher workforce that better reflects the students in our classrooms. We believe the future begins when every child sees themselves in their teacher, and every teacher is proud of the future they are helping to build.
Our Journey
Our journey began over four years ago, with generous support from the Rhode Island Foundation and the United Way of Rhode Island.
In March 2019, we received unanimous approval from the Rhode Island Council on Postsecondary Education, marking a significant milestone in our growth.
As of fall 2022, RISPE offers a PK-12 ESOL Certification Program, MLL Endorsement, and an Accelerated Teacher Certification Program in Elementary Education.
Our Vision
Our vision is to reimagine public school education in Rhode Island’s vibrant cities by expanding who teaches, reimagining how they teach, and preparing a new generation of educators to create emotionally and psychologically safe classrooms that celebrate students. We believe true progress begins when schools are places of safety and dignity, where every student is celebrated for who they are and every teacher has the courage and capacity to care.
Our Purpose
At the core of our mission is a devoted faculty and staff committed to reimagining education in Rhode Island. They champion pedagogy that celebrates each student’s identity, nurtures their dignity, and ensures every learner has a fair chance to succeed. We prioritize teacher preparation rooted in immersive, hands-on practice in supportive, structured, and expertly supervised classrooms, ensuring our future educators are ready to lead with courage and care.
Our curriculum, deeply rooted in collaboration with educators and district partners, combines proven best practices with invaluable real-time feedback, aiming to empower every teacher and student in Rhode Island’s public schools.
Opportunity
The evidence is clear: when teachers are prepared to lead classrooms that affirm students’ cultural backgrounds and celebrate their communities, the results are transformative. In San Francisco, students in these classrooms saw a 21 percentage point jump in attendance, a 1.4 point rise in GPA, and 23 more credits earned in high school. Other districts implementing these practices reported a 12% improvement in reading scores and a 15% narrowing of math achievement gaps over five years.
Rhode Island’s children already bring extraordinary strengths into the classroom — speaking more than 112 languages and drawing on cultures from across the globe. Yet too few of those communities are represented in the teaching profession here. That gap is an opportunity to expand who teaches and how they are prepared, so that every classroom becomes a place of dignity, celebration, and connection.
RISPE was born to embrace this opportunity and to reimagine who teaches and how they are prepared, so that every Rhode Island classroom becomes a place of dignity, celebration, and possibility.
Got More Questions?
What programs does RISPE offer?
RISPE currently offers a PK-12 ESL Certification, an alternative certification in Elementary Education, and a Multilingual Learner (MLL) Endorsement Program. Subject to RIDE approval, we aim to launch alternative certification programs in Secondary math and Secondary science, as well as our elementary and secondary special education certifications programs by summer 2024. We are also approved to offer two degree programs: an MEd and MAT, which are set to launch in 2024 and 2025, respectively.
Is RISPE approved by the state of Rhode Island to be a degree-granting institution?
Yes, RISPE received unanimous approval from the Rhode Island Council on Postsecondary Education on March 20th, 2019.
Is RISPE accredited?
RISPE is in the process of seeking NECHE (formerly NEASC) accreditation, which can take several years.
Do the degree programs fulfill certification requirements?
Our MAT program will fulfill the requirements to obtain the Elementary Education (1-6) and Elementary ESL Education certifications. Meanwhile, our MEd candidates will complete requirements for the Building Level Administrator certification.
How long are RISPE’s programs?
We offer two schedules for the ESOL program ranging from 13-18 months. The MAT program extends for 15 months, while the MEd is designed as a 12-month program.
Who Supports RISPE's Vision for Education?
We’re humbled and thankful for the backing we’ve received from a diverse range of highly-regarded foundations, philanthropic organizations, and local supporters within our community. Our mission to transform education in Rhode Island is made possible through the support of the Rhode Island Foundation, NewSchools Venture Fund, the Nellie Mae Education Foundation, the United Way of Rhode Island, The W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies, the Joukowsky Family Foundation, and our wonderful grassroots donors.
Elizabeth Ramirez
Title, School Name
“I owe my success as a school principal to RISPE’s Leadership Training Program. The practical insights, combined with the mentorship I received, were instrumental in shaping my leadership.”