# About # ABOUT THE LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE FOR FAITH & EDUCATION At the Leadership Initiative for Faith & Education (LIFE), we envision an education system that reduces educational disparities by embracing 1) partnerships between schools and faith organizations (while respecting the essential separation of church and state), as well as 2) the spiritual lives of students and educators. ![kids in class](/sites/g/files/omnuum12496/files/styles/hwp_21_9__1920x825/public/2025-11/iStock-1253508097.jpg?itok=zTGj7qu_) ## There Are Two Parts to Our Vision *Part 1:* At the **institutional level**, there are over 350,000 faith communities in the United States - mosques, temples, churches, and more - and there are just under 100,000 public schools. While there are powerful examples of faith communities partnering with public schools to achieve student outcomes, these partnerships represent a tiny fraction of the potential. We want to see the number and impact of those institutional partnerships expand dramatically in the years ahead. ![Students](/sites/g/files/omnuum12496/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2025-11/students-2.jpg?itok=LK82njzv) *Part 2:* At the **individual level**, school systems must begin to create the conditions to inclusively integrate the spiritual lives of educators and students in order to reap academic and social benefits. ![school class](/sites/g/files/omnuum12496/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2025-11/class.jpg?itok=bDUpoaah) ## Just imagine... Imagine if every public school in the United States was partnered directly to one or more faith communities to address specific needs. Imagine if public schools were places in which young people and educators alike shared their expressions of faith and spirituality in ways that increased understanding, cultivated empathy, and expanded our definition of learning and human development. ![school teacher](/sites/g/files/omnuum12496/files/2025-11/img-school.jpg) ### This New Vision Inspired Our Theory of Change If partnerships between faith communities and schools grew and matured and the spiritual lives of educators and students were embraced, we would expect to see: ![icon](/sites/g/files/omnuum12496/files/styles/hwp_1_1__100x100_scale/public/2025-11/Group-505.jpg?itok=YZ4g0OQT) Increases in academic outcomes especially for our most marginalized students ![icon](/sites/g/files/omnuum12496/files/styles/hwp_1_1__100x100_scale/public/2025-11/Group-506.jpg?itok=DfehPNc4) Decreases in depression and other mental health disorders ![icon](/sites/g/files/omnuum12496/files/styles/hwp_1_1__100x100_scale/public/2025-11/Group-507.jpg?itok=5SX3_eds) Increases in teacher recruitment, satisfaction and longevity in the field ### We Know it Can Be Done There are extraordinary organizations already doing this kind of work and leaders that are proving what’s possible. ![Mind Body Institute](/sites/g/files/omnuum12496/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2025-11/logo-1.jpg?itok=QW992L2q) Memphis Teacher Residency is a teacher preparation program in Tennessee that integrates faith into its methods and model. Out of 42 teacher preparation programs in the state with complete results, Memphis Teacher Residency was the top scoring program in 2023 and has been the top program four of the last five years. --- ![School Connect](/sites/g/files/omnuum12496/files/2025-11/logo-2.jpg) In Arizona, hundreds of schools are linked with nearby community partners, including faith-based organizations, to build partnerships that leverage community strengths to meet school-based needs. --- ![MTRI5](/sites/g/files/omnuum12496/files/2025-11/logo-3.jpg) The Collaborative for Spirituality in Education - founded by Dr. Lisa Miller - builds new research to increase the evidence base focused on the role of spirituality in education while running an institute to help education leaders build more spiritually-supportive environments. ## LIFE Leadership [### April Finlayson ](/people/april-finlayson)Strategy & Implementation Lead April Elizabeth Finlayson is an “Edu-neer” dedicated to designing holistic and transformational learning experiences. She has a fervent commitment to reimagining education, promoting lifelong learning and creating uniquely curated, humanizing educational... ![April Finlayson](/sites/g/files/omnuum12496/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2025-12/April.png?itok=coWkYYIJ) [### Irvin Scott ](/people/irvin-scott)Faculty Director Our founder, Dr. Irvin L. Scott, has built partnerships between faith institutions and public schools as a teacher, principal, Chief Academic Officer, Deputy Director of Education at The Gates Foundation, and as a professor. His new book, Leading with... ![Dr. Irvin Scott](/sites/g/files/omnuum12496/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2025-11/Dr.Scott_.jpg?itok=M3LmniAH) [### Judy Touzin ](/people/judy-touzin)Strategy and Implementation Lead Judy Touzin began her career as a third-grade teacher in Harlem with the New York City Department of Education in 2003. She quickly fell in love with her students, their families, and the work. In 2009, she went on to serve as the founding principal of an... ![Judy Touzin](/sites/g/files/omnuum12496/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2025-11/Judy-Touzin.jpg?itok=HhPGXxX0) **LIFE is housed at the Graduate School of Education at Harvard University, a unique platform for convening practitioners, partnering with crossdisciplinary researchers, and training next generation education leaders.** phone [## Join us in our work ](/contact)Contact Us people [## Support our mission ](https://community.alumni.harvard.edu/give/51712567)Donate Today ![studing](/sites/g/files/omnuum12496/files/2025-11/footer-img.jpg)