Press Releases | February 23, 2023

Two Local Educators Selected for First Indianapolis Cohort of the Greenhouse E3 Fellowship

The Mind Trust, an Indianapolis-based education nonprofit, today announced the two local educators selected for Indianapolis’ inaugural cohort of the Greenhouse Executive Education Experience (E3) Fellowship. Theodore Brannum, Chief of Staff at URBAN ACT Academy at Washington Irving School 14, and Angel Jackson-Anderson, Principal at BELIEVE Circle City High School, have been selected for the inaugural cohort. Both of them identify as leaders of color. 

“The Mind Trust is thrilled to welcome these two talented educators to the first cohort of the Indianapolis Greenhouse E3 Fellowship. Angel and Theo care deeply about the students and families they serve and our city benefits from their leadership,” said Kelli Marshall, Senior Vice President of Schools at The Mind Trust. “This fellowship is a key way to grow today’s talented educators and aspiring educational CEOs into tomorrow’s executive-level leaders. We are excited to see how this experience shapes the leadership skills of Angel and Theo as they seek to expand their impact on Indianapolis students.”

The Greenhouse E3 Fellowship is highly-selective and designed to identify and develop future executive-level leaders for charter schools and networks. This two-year fellowship includes regular professional development, one-on-one coaching, and meetings with national and local educational leaders. Intentionally designed to be intimate, each Greenhouse E3 cohort learns how to drive academic results across several schools, lead with a strong vision, and successfully manage the complexity of a multi-charter school organization.

During the program, fellows will deepen their professional connections and be trained on direction setting; strategic management; leading through a diversity, equity, and inclusion lens; and leading and developing others. Fellows also engage in personal reflection and transformation through E3 Personal Leadership Journey modules and activities.

“We are excited to welcome Theodore and Angel to the first national cohort of The Greenhouse E3 Fellowship,” said Herneshia Dukes, Fellowship Director of Greenhouse E3. “These fellows will have the opportunity to expand their professional network and receive executive-level training from charter CEOs and education pioneers from across the country.”

The Greenhouse E3 Fellowship is another way that The Mind Trust is investing in school leaders out of a belief that great school and network leaders are one of the most important ingredients for student success. “Since 2013, our School Fellowship alumni have launched 27 charter and innovation schools,” said Brandon Brown, CEO of The Mind Trust. “This year’s Greenhouse E3 Fellows are joining a robust education ecosystem that is providing better opportunities for Indianapolis students. I am confident that each of these Fellows will expand their talents through this program in order to increase their impact on our city’s students.”

About the 2023 Indianapolis Cohort Members

Theodore Brannum | Chief of Staff, URBAN ACT Academy at Washington Irving School 14

Theodore Brannum has served as Chief of Staff for URBAN ACT Academy at Washington Irving School 14 (URBAN ACT) since 2019. URBAN ACT serves students in grades K-8 with a place-based educational model that connects student learning to the community. 

Prior to joining URBAN ACT, Brannum held numerous roles at KIPP DC over eight years, including World History Teacher and Dean of Culture.  He also worked for five years as the Program Director at the Hoop Dreams Scholarship Fund. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Rutgers University and a Master of Arts in Public School Building Leadership from Columbia University.

Angel Jackson-Anderson | Principal, BELIEVE Circle City High School

Angel Jackson-Anderson has been the Principal of BELIEVE Circle City High School (BELIEVE) since 2020. BELIEVE is a college and career preparatory high school that develops students into leaders by fostering agency, autonomy, and acceleration. 

Her time at BELIEVE is predated by a nearly decade-long career in education as an assistant principal, literacy coach, and classroom teacher. Jackson-Anderson also completed Relay Graduate School of Education’s National Principal Academy Fellowship and was a member of the 2017 Emerging Leader Cohort for Teach For America’s fifth annual School Leaders of Color Conference. Jackson-Anderson holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and History from University of Kentucky and two masters degrees, in Teaching and Educational Leadership, from Marian University.