Education Technology
TGR Foundation Scales Career-Connected Learning With Measurable Impact
A nonprofit demonstrates how embedding real-world career experiences into K-12 curricula produces measurable gains in student engagement and workforce readiness
Key takeaways
TGR Foundation's three-pillar model moves students from learning about careers to hands-on industry partnerships to real internships and pre-apprenticeships.
The flagship Anaheim Learning Lab serves 7,000 students annually, with new labs opening in Philadelphia (2025) and Los Angeles (2026), targeting 21,000+ students.
Both students and employers benefit: students gain confidence and skills while employers build a diverse, future-ready talent pipeline.
As schools increasingly prioritize not just academic success but also real-world readiness, the call for career-connected learning has never been louder. With over 10% of future job growth projected in STEM fields, education systems are reimagining how to expose students, especially from under-resourced communities, to meaningful career pathways early on.
So, how can schools and communities better prepare students not only to learn about work but to learn through and at work, even before they graduate?
In this episode of The Future of Education, host Michael Horn sits down with Cyndi Court, CEO of the TGR Foundation, to explore how the foundation is scaling career-connected learning labs and helping thousands of students discover their passions, build their skill sets, and prepare for fulfilling futures. The conversation dives deep into TGR's unique three-pillar model, real-world learning partnerships, and the evolving landscape of youth opportunity in America.
Key takeaways from the episode…
- The Three Pillars of Career-Connected Learning: TGR's model introduces students to careers (learning about work), guides them through hands-on problem-solving with industry partners (learning through work), and supports them in real internships and pre-apprenticeships (learning at work).
- Impact on Employers and Students Alike: While students gain exposure and confidence, employers benefit from building a future-ready, diverse talent pipeline equipped with durable skills.
- Expansion and Scale: With its flagship Learning Lab in Anaheim already serving 7,000 students annually, TGR is expanding into Philadelphia (2025) and Los Angeles (2026), with a vision to serve over 21,000 students and counting.
Cyndi Court is a seasoned nonprofit and education leader with over three decades of experience in youth development, advancement, and strategic partnerships. She currently serves as CEO of the TGR Foundation, following senior leadership roles at Berry College, Special Olympics International, and Boys & Girls Clubs of America, where she led large-scale development and marketing initiatives. With a strong background in fundraising, executive search, and program expansion, Court has consistently driven mission-aligned growth across education, philanthropy, and community impact sectors.
About the author
Michael Horn speaks and writes about the future of education and works with a portfolio of education organizations to improve the life of each and every student. He is the co-founder of and a distinguished fellow at the Clayton Christensen Institute for Disruptive Innovation, and host of the Future of Education podcast on MarketScale.
