The Spark Starts Here
Talking Pre-Service, Ignite, and a New Chapter of Leadership in Greater Chicago–Northwest Indiana with Jetaun Whittlesey, Senior Managing Director of Program.
As the school year begins, so too does a season of growth, learning, and purpose for Teach For America Greater Chicago–Northwest Indiana. As our 2025 corps members prepare for the first day of classes, this moment marks the beginning of an exciting journey rooted in excellence and community.
At the center of this work are two powerful experiences: pre-service training and the Ignite Fellowship, a paid, part-time tutoring and mentoring fellowship. These programs provide our educators with the preparation, support, and vision to lead from day one. And leading this work in our region is Jetaun Whittlesey, the new Senior Managing Director of Program. A Teach For America alum (‘14 Greater Chicago-Northwest Indiana), former school administrator, and long-time educator in Chicago, Jetaun brings a powerful blend of experience, perspective, and commitment to her new role.
We sat down with Jetaun to talk more about how pre-service and Ignite are shaping the educator experience in our region, and how her leadership is helping guide this important work forward.
What Is Pre-Service?
For new corps members, pre-service is the first formal step in their Teach For America journey, taking place during the summer after they accept their offer to join the corps. It is a multi-week, immersive training experience that prepares incoming educators to lead rigorous instruction, build strong relationships, and create inclusive and supportive classrooms.
“Pre-service is part of the foundation of a corps member’s journey. It is designed to prepare them to lead rigorous, inclusive instruction in supportive environments where students can thrive.”
Across all regions, pre-service is grounded in four core domains: rigorous instruction, classroom learning environment, relationships, and continuous learning. The experience begins with asynchronous onboarding (known as Launch), followed by two weeks of virtual synchronous sessions where corps members begin building pedagogical understanding and instructional skills. Corps members then move into Practicum, where they teach students in local summer school classrooms and apply their learning in real-time.
Throughout the experience, corps members receive consistent support through one-on-one and group coaching, curriculum resources, and collaborative planning opportunities.
In Teach For America Greater Chicago–Northwest Indiana, pre-service also includes a strong emphasis on understanding the cultural, social, and economic contexts of the schools and communities where corps members will teach. By the end of pre-service, corps members are expected to demonstrate readiness to lead classrooms that are student-centered and grounded in community.
“We believe that when teachers are familiar with the strengths, challenges, and values of a community. They can build stronger relationships, create more relevant instruction, and foster a real sense of belonging in the classroom.”
Introducing Ignite: Tutoring That Builds Belonging and Boosts Learning
This year, Teach For America Greater Chicago–Northwest Indiana is launching the Ignite Fellowship for the first time in our region. The Ignite Fellowship is a national initiative designed to provide high-impact, relationship-centered tutoring to K–12 students, delivered virtually by college students across the country.
“Ignite brings extraordinary college students into classrooms virtually to deliver tutoring aligned with school curriculum. It’s responsive, research-based, and built to meet students where they are.”
The program was co-designed with principals and school partners to accelerate student progress and address unfinished learning. Ignite is aligned with Teach For America’s 2030 goal to double the number of students who reach key educational milestones on the path to economic mobility.
Through Ignite, fellows will provide curriculum-aligned tutoring tailored to the learning goals of each school. As the program rolls out locally, it will complement the work of corps members by deepening school partnerships and expanding the ways students receive support.
“In a system that is hard to change,” Jetaun notes, “we cannot meet the needs of students without solutions that make an impact today. Ignite is one of those solutions.”
Leading With Purpose
For Jetaun, stepping into the role of Senior Managing Director of Program is a meaningful return to her roots. “I walked into my first day of pre-service as a 2014 corps member with a lot of hope and determination,” she recalls. “I never imagined that one day I’d be leading our corps program work in the very region where I began.” Jetaun brings more than a decade of experience in education—including time as a classroom teacher, school leader, and Managing Director of Leadership Development (a teacher coach)—into this new role. She sees her leadership as an opportunity to empower others and elevate the work of corps members and Ignite fellows across the region. “My leadership is grounded in collaboration, service, and continuous improvement,” she says. “I listen closely to corps members, fellows, school partners, and alumni to keep evolving our program in the direction of educational excellence.”
As she steps into this new chapter, Jetaun’s priorities include deepening support for the teacher coaches, strengthening partnerships with schools, and ensuring that both corps members and Ignite fellows are well-prepared to make measurable contributions to student outcomes. Her leadership is focused on creating conditions for sustainable impact, ones that align educator growth with the needs and aspirations of the students and schools they serve.
Defining Success and Looking Ahead
When asked how she defines success for new educators, Jetaun emphasizes a balance of technical skill, relational depth, and student-centered commitment. “I define success for our new corps members and fellows as their ability to create a positive, inclusive, and well-managed learning environment where students feel safe, respected, and engaged in learning.” She adds that success also means delivering instruction that meets the needs of all learners, maintaining a growth mindset, and fostering student progress—academically, socially, and emotionally. “I hope corps members carry forward a mindset that is rooted in growth and grounded in purpose,” she says. “Teaching can be both rewarding and difficult. But when educators stay committed to their students and to one another, they make a lasting difference.” As Teach For America Greater Chicago–Northwest Indiana enters its 25th year, Jetaun is energized by the opportunity to build on the region’s legacy while continuing to strengthen outcomes. “We have a strong team, experienced leadership, and a powerful community of alumni,” she says. “We are focused on preparing corps members to drive academic outcomes and lead with purpose in their schools.”
How Our Community Can Support
Jetaun is also clear that none of this work happens in isolation. As the year unfolds, she invites alumni, partners, and supporters to step forward and engage with the next generation of leaders. “We need our alumni to show up for current corps members. When they do, we strengthen our network and our collective impact,” she says. “Your presence can make a meaningful difference in the life of a new educator.” There will be many opportunities this year to connect with the work of corps members and Ignite fellows. Whether through mentorship, collaboration, or simply showing up, the support of the broader community remains vital. “Together, we are building classrooms and communities where students are seen, supported, and inspired to reach their full potential,” Jetaun says. “That work starts here—and we are just getting started.”