Growing Teachers from Within: The DREAM Teaching Fellowship

In this episode of the State University of New York (SUNY) Charter Schools Institute’s More Great Seats 4 Kids podcast, the Institute’s Mike Lesczinski is joined by Kalila Hoggard, Chief People Officer at DREAM, and Ana Rader, Director of Seasonal and Fellowship Recruitment at DREAM, for a conversation on building sustainable teacher pipelines from within school communities. They discuss the origins and growth of the DREAM Teaching Fellowship, why DREAM prioritizes alumni and community members as future educators, and how the fellowship supports both teacher development and long-term student success. The episode explores recruitment, retention, mentorship, and professional growth, while highlighting how investing in homegrown talent strengthens school culture and advances DREAM’s commitment to generational impact.About DREAM Founded in 1991 in East Harlem, DREAM began as a baseball program for neighborhood youth. Today, it is a network of seven schools in East Harlem and the South Bronx serving young people from birth through early adulthood — through 0-4 early childhood programs, extended-day and extended/year school model for students in grades K-12, and six years of alumni support after high school graduation. DREAM serves more than 3,000 students and alumni across East Harlem and the South Bronx. With strong academic results, free afterschool and summer programs, deep family partnerships, and healthy school meals cooked on-site, DREAM supports the whole child — so young people are prepared for school, college, and career. More InformationState University of New York (SUNY) Charter Schools Institute DREAM DREAM Teaching Fellowship Support the show