FRIENDS OF TLI · EST. 1995
Growing
Rochester's
next educators.
Friends of TLI is the nonprofit support organization behind the Teaching & Learning Institute at East High School — one of Rochester's most enduring investments in its own teachers.
WHAT WE STAND FOR
Vision. Mission. Focus.
Three commitments that have guided TLI since its founding — and guide Friends of TLI today.
VISION
Community Leaders
Educators committed to progressive change
Advocates for social justice in Rochester
Leaders who reflect the community they serve
MISSION
Empowered to Lead
Cooperative, democratic learning environment
Students empowered to lead and teach others
Developing identity within a large high school
FOCUS
Excellence in Action
Standards of excellence in academics and civic behavior
Awareness of social justice issues in the community
Preparation for success in college and beyond
THE PROGRAM
What is TLI?
The Teaching and Learning Institute at East High School is a four-year magnet program designed for students interested in careers in education and leadership. It is an intensive effort by the Rochester City School District to grow and recruit teachers directly from the community it serves.
TLI accomplishes this by preparing students for college, giving them real work experience in high school, and offering a rigorous curriculum built around issues relevant to their lives and their city.
80
Students enrolled annually
Approximately 80 students across grades 9–12. Admission requires an application in 8th grade and high standards for academics & citizenship.
2.5
Minimum GPA to remain in TLI
Students consistently appear on the honor roll. More than half of TLI seniors typically rank in the top 10% of their graduating class.
80
Hours of paid senior internship
Senior year culminates in an 80-hour paid internship as a teacher's assistant — real classroom experience before college.
4
Years of seminar coursework
Annual seminars cover lesson planning, classroom management, & how race, class, and gender shape education from theory to practice.
HOW WE TEACH
Our
Philosophy
COOPERATIVE LEARNING
Classroom lessons are presented in a cooperative environment where students learn not only the subject matter, but how to work together. Students set group goals, divide labor, hold one another accountable, and are graded on both the final product and how they performed as a team.
DEMOCRATIC PEDAGOGY
TLI employs a democratic pedagogy where students are involved in every level of decision-making. From choosing topics for study and debate, to facilitating discussions, to planning events — students are encouraged to take an active role in creating their own learning environment.
CRITICAL CITIZENSHIP
Our students graduate empowered to enact progressive change in the community. They learn to be critical thinkers who can work successfully with people from diverse backgrounds — skills that serve them whether they become teachers, doctors, lawyers, or leaders in any field.
“I think being able to question issues at such a young age gave me the foundation to be able to serve my students now. Seminar classes gave me an intrigue into wanting to continue to be aware of the issues that affect my students as well as learn more about how to better serve my students.”
WHERE WE COME FROM
Our Roots
Thirty years ago, a coalition of educators, professors, and administrators believed Rochester could grow its own teachers. What followed became one of the district's most enduring programs.
1995 - THE BEGINNING
After the Rochester City School District implemented school choice for high school students, each school was encouraged to create innovative new programs. TLI was conceived as East High's answer — with a singular aim: help the RCSD grow its own teachers from within the community.
School choice sparks innovation
1995 - THE PARTNERSHIP
Ford Foundation funds the first five years
A partnership of institutions — the Rochester City School District, the University of Rochester, SUNY Geneseo, and Monroe Community College — applied for and received a Ford Foundation grant to fund TLI's first five years. After initial success, the RCSD went on to cover the program's full cost.
Prof. David Hursh · U of R / Mark LaSalle Peterson · SUNY Geneseo / Rosa Crane · East High / Ken Wilson · East High / Frank Rossi · East High
1995 - PRESENT - THE CURRICULUM
A college model built for high schoolers
The founding team designed a curriculum based on a college seminar model, with students participating in educational seminars and field placements at elementary schools. The program was intentionally kept small to create a family-like atmosphere that fostered nurturing relationships.
1995 - 30 YEARS LATER
Since 1995, TLI has graduated over 350 students. Many have gone on to teach in Rochester and across the country. Others have pursued medicine, law, and business — crediting TLI with developing the leadership and citizenship skills that shaped their careers.
350+ graduates, still growing
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE MISSION
Board of Directors
Friends of TLI is guided by a dedicated board of alumni, educators, and community members committed to TLI's next 30 years.
Anthony Plonczynski-Figueroa
BOARD CHAIR
Robert Snyder
SECRETARY
Leslie Rivera
TREASURER
Board seat open
Join our board
Interested in supporting TLI's mission at the board level? We'd love to hear from you.
BE PART OF THE STORY
TLI shaped you.
Now shape what's next.
Whether you're a TLI graduate, a Rochester educator, or a community member who believes in what this program stands for, there's a place for you in the Friends of TLI community.