The 2026-27 Teach Plus Policy Fellows Will Advocate for Evidence-Based Literacy Materials, Multilingual Learner Support, Teacher Retention, and Improved Data Systems
QUICK FACTS
Who: 27 pre-K through 12th-grade educators
Where: Greater Boston Area, Merrimack Valley & North Shore, and Western Massachusetts & Pioneer Valley
Mission: Ensure every student in Massachusetts has access to high-quality, culturally responsive literacy instruction and an equitable learning environment.
Track Record: Successful advocacy to pass Right to Read Act and Educator Diversity Act
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BOSTON, MA, September 1, 2026—Teach Plus Massachusetts has named 27 pre-K through 12th-grade teacher leaders to its 2026-27 Policy Fellowship. Over the next year, these educators will collaborate with coalition partners, district leadership, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), legislative leaders, and state education policymakers to help bring classroom-tested literacy solutions to a state where just 42% of 3rd grade students could read proficiently on the state 2025 English Language Arts assessment.
Selection into the Fellowship cohort was highly competitive. Fellows join a well-established regional network that includes two Massachusetts Teachers of the Year and a National Teacher of the Year. This year’s cohort includes several teachers with stand-out credentials, including a Milken Educator Award winner and an educator serving on a state department of education advisory panel.
Teach Plus trains Policy Fellows in policy analysis, research, advocacy, and communications, including storytelling and op-ed writing, so rigorous data and firsthand classroom experience from educators reach decision makers and the public directly.
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Key policy focus areas:
- Evidence-Based Literacy Materials: The Right to Read Act put evidence-based reading instruction into law and it now has to work in real classrooms. Fellows are identifying what teachers actually need to make that happen, and where the state and districts can support them.
- Multilingual Learner Support: No two Massachusetts districts support multilingual learners the same way, with screeners, staffing, and services varying widely. Fellows are building the first statewide picture of what’s working and what isn’t.
- Teacher Retention: Massachusetts can’t diversify its workforce if it can’t keep the teachers in its classrooms. Fellows are tackling the barriers, from preparation to hiring to retention, that keep talented, diverse educators from leaving the profession.
- Improving Data Systems: Massachusetts educators and families still need a clear picture of how students are actually doing. Fellows are advocating to close the gaps in data access, quality, and use.
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Perspectives from Teach Plus leadership and educators:
“This new cohort of Policy Fellows represents the expertise, leadership, and commitment that exists in classrooms across Massachusetts. At a pivotal moment for public education in the Commonwealth, these educators will bring their firsthand experiences together with research and evidence to develop solutions that can lead to lasting, systemic change for our students. We are incredibly proud to invest in their leadership and ensure that the voices of those closest to students are helping shape the policies that determine their future.”—Chris Marino, Teach Plus Massachusetts Executive Director
“After 14 years in the classroom, I’ve seen firsthand how literacy proficiency shapes a student’s entire future, far beyond test scores. I am thrilled to partner with our 2026-27 Teach Plus Massachusetts teacher leaders to build stronger literacy systems and drive meaningful, statewide change for Massachusetts educators and students.”—Kimmy Tremlett, Teach Plus Massachusetts Policy and Programs Manager
“For far too long, teachers have been expected to ‘build the plane while flying it.’ With the recent passage of the Right to Read Act, Massachusetts is making a critical shift by recognizing that meaningful implementation requires meaningful support. Teach Plus Massachusetts has a unique opportunity to ensure that educators are empowered to implement new practices effectively and sustainably and, ultimately, drive improved student outcomes.”—Jillian Geraghty, literacy coach, John F. Kennedy School, Boston, 2026-27 Teach Plus Massachusetts Senior Policy Fellow
“My 6th graders focus on early human history, which requires them to read complex texts and make connections across sources. After the kickoff session, I felt encouraged knowing that teachers all over Massachusetts are invested in making sure all students have access to grade-level text. Even more, I felt empowered knowing that I could be part of that progress in and out of the classroom.” —Veronica Israel, 6th grade social studies teacher, Springfield Prep Charter School, Springfield, 2026-2027 Teach Plus Massachusetts Policy Fellow
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Meet the Fellows:
Greater Boston Area
Kimberly Alderman, Boston Public Schools (Boston)
Jarek Azim, Excel Academy Charter Schools (East Boston)
Katherine Chandler, KIPP Academy Boston Charter School (Boston)
Rainbow Chen, Boston Public Schools (Boston)
Melissa Culkin, Chelsea Public Schools (Chelsea)
Favor Ezewuzie-Lauber, Boston Public Schools (Boston)
Jillian Geraghty, Senior Policy Fellow, Boston Public Schools (Boston)
Jedediah Graboys, Boston Collegiate Charter School (Boston)
Cedric Jacobson, Brooke Charter School (Boston)
Elizabeth Metts, Senior Policy Fellow, Excel Academy Charter Schools (East Boston)
Agustin Morales, Framingham Public Schools (Framingham)
Anne Spitz, Boston Public Schools (Boston)
Jessica Sweeney, Westwood Public Schools (Westwood)
Marisa Taylor, Brooke Charter School (Boston)
Merrimack Valley & North Shore
Jeffrey Bachman, Lowell Public Schools (Lowell)
Matthew DeWinde, Hill View Montessori Charter Public School (Haverhill)
Eve Lescovitz, Lawrence Public Schools (Lawrence)
Delianny Perez Marte, Senior Policy Fellow, Lawrence Public Schools (Lawrence)
Noel Radcliffe-Marrs, Lawrence Public Schools (Lawrence)
Suzanne Stillinger, Early Childhood Education Advisor Fellow, New Village Preschool (Northampton)
Western Massachusetts & Pioneer Valley
Gregory Hanson, Springfield Public Schools (Springfield)
John Gowan, Springfield Public Schools (Springfield)
Veronica Israel, Springfield Preparatory Charter School (Springfield)
Casey King, Chicopee Public Schools (Chicopee)
Diarmaid King, Phoenix Charter Academy (Springfield)
Jennifer MacDonald, Agawam Public Schools (Agawam)
TJ Rios, Senior Policy Fellow, Springfield Public Schools (Springfield)
ABOUT TEACH PLUS
The mission of Teach Plus is to empower excellent, experienced, and diverse teachers to take leadership over key policy and practice issues that affect their students’ success. In pursuing our mission, Teach Plus is guided by our Student Opportunity Mandate: To act boldly and create the conditions where every student can imagine their future—and experience an education that delivers the opportunity to realize it. Since 2009, Teach Plus has developed thousands of teacher leaders across the country to exercise their leadership in shaping education policy and improving teaching and learning for students. teachplus.org/ma
