Fund for Teachers (FFT) – one of the nation's largest investors in PreK-12 educators – is proud to announce the appointment of Shital C. Shah to its board of directors. With a distinguished career dedicated to advancing public education and fostering strategic partnerships, Shah brings a wealth of experience and insight that will further FFT's mission to empower educators through self-designed summer fellowships.
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Fund for Teachers Welcomes Shital C Shah to Board of Directors
“I was drawn to FFT because of its mission to support educators' professional learning and growth, which directly impacts the academic growth of their students,” said Shah. “Upon meeting several FFT Fellows [grant recipients], the gratitude and joy catalyzed by their fellowships solidified for me the vital role this organization plays in educators' personal and professional lives. Now it is my joy to support and help facilitate these opportunities for more teachers across the country.”
Shah recently moved into the role of Senior Advisor to the CEO, Special Initiatives for United Way Worldwide (UWW). Previously, she served the United States Department of Education as Senior Advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Education & Director of Strategic Partnerships, supporting the 12th U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona on overall partnership strategy, cutting across k12, higher education and workforce issues. Landmark programs Shah helped get off the ground include the Engage Every Student Initiative, focused on increasing the number of high quality out of school programs leveraging American Rescue Plan funding; the National Partnership for Student Success – focused on increasing the number of mentors and tutors in public schools; and a public service campaign that elevated the teaching profession, and the private sector commitments focused on addressing the teacher workforce shortage.
Additional relevant experience includes a decade spent as Director of Philanthropic Engagement and Strategic Partnerships at the American Federation of Teachers, and serving as trustee for the Education Law Center. Shah holds an M.S. in Nonprofit Management from Milano The New School for Management and Urban Policy focused on social policy (when she also participated in the Peace Corps Fellows Program) and a B.S. in Environmental Studies and B.A. in Religion from George Washington University.
“Throughout her career Shital has played many roles from advocacy to activist – all in support of education and teaching,” said Karen Eckhoff, Fund for Teachers Executive Director. “As Fund for Teachers steps into our 25th year, I am extremely pleased to welcome Shital to our Board of Directors.”
Since 2001, Fund for Teachers has invested more than $37 million in nearly 10,000 educators nationwide – turning grants into transformative learning experiences that benefit both teachers and their students. In summer 2025 alone, 354 teachers received a combined $1.625 million in funding to pursue fellowships across 79 countries and six continents, exploring innovative ideas, diverse cultures, and fresh approaches to teaching and learning.
Access the complete list of 2025 Fund for Teachers Fellows here.
Fund for Teachers' new grant cycle opens October 1; teachers may apply at fft.fundforteachers.org. To learn more about Fund for Teachers' grant opportunities and the lasting impact of its educator fellowships, visitfundforteachers.org or follow on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Media Contact: Carrie Caton Smith, carrie@fundforteachers.org
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SOURCE Fund for Teachers
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