Boston, MA— Teach Plus, a national nonprofit that empowers teachers to lead improvements in educational policy and instructional practice, has selected a group of 15 demonstrably effective teachers from around Massachusetts for its 2021-2022 Policy Fellowship cohort. Since its 2009 launch in the state, Teach Plus has worked with educators from across the Commonwealth on urgent policy issues including equitable school funding, teacher preparation, and the support, retention and recruitment of educators of color.
This year, the Fellows will focus on a range of issues of importance to Massachusetts’ teachers, students, and parents, including education finance, early childhood education, and the COVID-19 response and teaching and learning during the pandemic.
“This cohort of Fellows will focus on advancing K-12 as well as early childhood education policy in Massachusetts. The Fellows will also take on equitable and effective use of ARP funds, the support, retention and recruitment of educators of color, and early education advocacy. I am excited to have the opportunity to work with these highly skilled teachers across the Commonwealth on teacher-informed solutions,” said Chris Marino, Executive Director of Teach Plus Massachusetts.
“I’m thrilled to be working with Teach Plus and such an incredible group of educators. I look forward to connecting with other education advocates to make infant and toddler education accessible to all families, regardless of financial status, family composition, or child-specific needs. I believe education starts at birth and that every infant deserves to have a high-quality, play-based educational environment available to them,” said Aidn White, an incoming Policy Fellow and infant/toddler and preschool lead teacher at Frog Pond Family Child Care in Amherst.
The 2021-2022 Fellows hail from across the state and come from a range of education settings including public schools, charter schools, and child care centers. Throughout the program, the Fellows are trained in policy, advocacy, research, and communications and develop the skills necessary to advocate for changes for Massachusetts’ students. Each Fellow was chosen based on their strong commitment to the classroom and to equity, their ability to articulate the needs of their students, and their pursuit of excellence and innovation in their teaching.
“I recognize that the challenges my students face every day in the effort to access a high-quality education are not just limited to my school or district, but the entire Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Through this Fellowship I hope to take the first step of many toward ensuring all students have equitable access to the resources they need to succeed in life,” Ralph Saint Louis, a science teacher and incoming Policy Fellow in Lowell, said.
The 2021-22 State Policy Fellows are:
- Kimberly Artez, Little Sprouts Early Education & Child Care, Watertown
- Emily Corbett-Jordan, Brooke Charter School, Boston Public Schools
- Michael Coughlin, Dr. Albert F. Argenziano School, Somerville Public Schools
- Yasmin Flefleh Vincent, Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School, New Bedford
- Kevin Hallock, Stoughton High School & O’Donnell Middle School, Stoughton Public Schools
- Rebekah Judson, Donald McKay School, Boston Public Schools
- Clara Lucien, Wolfgang Mozart Elementary School, Boston Public Schools
- Marites MacLean, Marites MacLean Family Child Care, Fitchburg
- Katherine Nyholm, Cambridge Rindge and Latin School, Cambridge Public Schools
- Ralph Saint-Louis, Lowell Public High School, Lowell Public Schools
- Sarah Slater, Harbor City School, Boston
- Jed Stefanowicz, Old Post Road Elementary School, Walpole Public Schools
- Suzanne Stillinger, Farm Hands Preschool, Northampton
- Sarah Stuart, Dennis C. Haley Pilot School, Boston Public Schools
- Aidn White, Frog Pond Family Child Care, Amherst
Senior Fellows:
- Chantei Alves, K-1 Inclusion, Young Achievers K-8 Science and Math Pilot School, Boston Public Schools
- Kevin Cormier, STEM Director, North Middlesex Regional School District
- Takeru Nagayoshi, Professional Learning Director for Community Events, Panorama Education
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. 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, to create an education system driven by access and excellence for all. teachplus.org
