Man Up Named a 2026 Yass Prize Contender
Man Up Teacher Fellowship has been selected as a 2026 Yass Prize Contender, joining a national cohort of
education organizations advancing sustainable, transformational, outstanding, and permissionless
approaches to education. This recognition affirms Man Up’s work to build debt-free pathways into teaching,
strengthen educator retention, and expand access to highly effective male teachers of color.
Why Man Up?
Man Up Teacher Fellowship recruits, prepares, places, and retains talented men of color who are committed to helping every student succeed. Through a five-year fellowship, participants receive tuition support, Praxis preparation, coaching, mentorship, professional development, and job-placement support. Fellows can earn
teacher licensure or a master’s degree at no cost and, after at least three successful years in the classroom, pursue an Educational Leadership certification pathway
National Teachers League
The National Teachers League was born from the success of Man Up Teacher Fellowship. Man Up remains focused on recruiting, preparing, and retaining male teachers of color. NTL extends the model to people of all backgrounds and to additional careers that serve children, schools, and communities, including teaching, school leadership, counseling, social work, nursing, therapy, cybersecurity, and other high-need fields.
Our Impact
PATRICK’S STORY
Dr. Washington is the founding principal of Promise Academy Springhill located in Memphis, TN that opened in 2014. The urgency to launch Man Up Teacher Fellowship was realized as he began to recruit teachers for Promise Academy Spring Hill. “This is a movement, not a program that is aimed to change the world by placing highly effective men of color in classrooms throughout our nation.”
