About Us
We are a nonprofit organization that partners with Delawareans and educational innovators from around the world to transform public education in the First State.
Public education is a complex, interconnected ecosystem. And large-scale improvements require broad coalitions to work together, over time. But when it happens, it changes everything. Life outcomes, community health, civil discourse as well as the environment and economy are all directly affected by the strength of our education system.
Our Vision
Our Core Values
Our Structure
Global Excellence
Because we aspire to catalyze changes that will result in world-class education for every Delaware child, we strive for equity, excellence and leadership in all that we do. To achieve this we: hold ourselves to the highest global standards. We are data-driven, resilient in the face of setbacks, and committed to quality and consistency in all that we do.
Listening
We believe that Delaware can create one of the best systems of public schools in the world, but to get there, we need to listen. We share an urgency around wanting to transform public education for Delaware’s children and this nation, but we know that good ideas developed in isolation, without genuine ownership and local co-design, have little chance of sticking. Our legacy will not be defined by short-term initiatives, but by the long-term, sustainable performance of our public schools.
Ingenuity
We have an ambitious mission to solve complex problems. We not only need to understand the best thinking internationally, but build on the best ideas and think differently to develop solutions that leverage Delaware’s unique assets. We believe that being effective depends on finding ways better than the norm and likely outside of conventional.
Integrity
Our goal is the success of all students, not furthering an agenda or seeking credit. We support solutions that work—regardless of where, or from whom, they come; and we seek to build on what’s working for students with leaders on the ground. To this end, we put utmost value on honesty, transparency and respect in all our interactions both within our team and within the broader community.
Team
To achieve our mission, we must work collaboratively—both internally and externally. None of us has all the answers. Our collective impact as part of broader coalitions is more powerful and sustainable than our individual contributions. The trust and respect we build within our team and among our partners, both locally and globally, are foundational. We acknowledge and support team members’ successes; and we understand that the impact of our work outside our office is a direct reflection of the culture we create within it.
WHAT WE DO
Rodel connects people, ideas, and resources to make those positive changes happen. We help donors and organizations—both public and private, as well as local and global—make informed decisions about how they can leverage philanthropic dollars for the greatest impact in our community.
We work side by side with educators and community leaders to make things happen from concept to execution. We strive for lasting, systemic, change, so our work depends on partnerships with broad and diverse collaborators.
OUR FOCUS AREAS
Rodel works with community leaders, legislators, funders, and educators to make policy changes that can improve students’ lives. Below are four of our current areas of focus in which we are working to research best practices and mobilize the community and influence policy.
- Postsecondary Success
- Early Childhood Education
- Social and Emotional Learning
- Funding and Equity