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We Are Crew, Not Passengers.

Who We Are

We're a proud team of diverse professionals working tirelessly toward the common goal of impacting real change in public education.

When you join our Crew, you'll find an office culture that mirrors our philosophy for what works in the classroom. After all, it's not just students who thrive in an environment built on collaboration, challenging work, acceptance, a "growth-mindset" and joy; grown-ups need it too!

We are an organization 100+ Crew members strong, and though we don't all work in the same time zone, it's not uncommon to join a colleague for a "virtual lunch" via video. Ours is a connected community of passionate thought partners whose work is inspired by students, teachers, schools, and each other.

We offer a comprehensive employee benefits package that includes all of the best bells and whistles (details in our job postings). But here are a few extra special perks that members of our Crew enjoy:

  • Monthly Crew calls to connect with our entire staff.
  • Genuine commitment to a healthy work-life balance.
  • Opportunities for personal and professional growth.
  • Colleagues who ask how you're doing and genuinely want to listen to your response. It's pretty fantastic.
“Crew means pulling together, thinking together and supporting each other to do things bigger and better than we all thought possible.” Jon Mann , Mountain Region Director, EL Education

What is Crew Culture?

Crew is a ritual, a coming together, and the creation of a close-knit student community. An integral part of the EL Education model, each school in our network brings students together in a consistent and supportive group. Crew is a place where character education, adventure, and team building are intentional, assuring success for all students. It’s a structure that fosters a sense of belonging within students, and a place where they can be their best selves while lifting up their peers to achieve more than they think possible.

Across our network of schools, partners, and EL Education staff, Crew can take on a variety of forms. And in fact, depending on how and where the practice of Crew is applied, it is often molded into a philosophy and a practice that best serves the unique needs of each respective school, district, or peer community.


Crew is always two things:

  1. It is a structure. A group of students who meet together to support and push each other in school, and life.
  2. It is a spirit, a way of being. To be "Crew" means to pitch in to help each other, to step up and take responsibility for everyone's well-being around you.

Crew isn’t only for students. The spirit of Crew can be observed across the EL Education network, among school leaders and teachers, as well among our national staff. At EL Education, the spirit of Crew is one of the most important tenets of our organizational culture and character.

Brooks Thomas Exemplary Service Award

The Brooks Thomas Exemplary Service Award honors members of our team who exemplify the qualities and character of our founding trustees and illustrate our commitment to serve as Crew, not passengers.

Brooks Thomas Award Past Recipients
Honorees demonstrate excellence, collaboration, and perseverance and their contributions to enhance our mission exceed expectations. They're also, without fail, utterly lovely people.

We always strive to bring our national family together under the continuing theme, “#WeAreCrew,” highlighting our motto: We Are Crew, Not Passengers.