Indianapolis, IN — Teach Plus, a national nonprofit that empowers teachers to lead improvements in educational policy and instructional practice, has selected a group of 12 demonstrably effective teachers from around Indiana for its 2022-2023 Policy Fellowship cohort. Fellows will focus on a range of issues important to Indiana teachers, students, and parents, including education funding, teacher retention and shortages, the teacher pipeline, and mental health support for students and teachers. During this 5th statewide Indiana cohort and the 11th since Teach Plus launched in the state in 2009, these talented teacher leaders will continue building on the momentum built by the previous cohorts.
“As we plan forward for the coming year, I am optimistic about the work our teachers will be able to accomplish, especially with 2023 being a budget writing year,” said Teach Plus Indiana Executive Director, Rachel Hathaway. “Education is facing a lot of challenges at the moment and now more than ever is when teachers need to be leading and contributing to the conversations and decisions impacting students and the teaching profession. We need to consider innovative approaches informed by practitioner insight if we really want to move the needle on academic, emotional, and physical support for students and their teachers.”
“I am excited to join the Teach Plus Fellowship because I want to be part of something bigger than myself,” said Chris Henderson, a Policy Fellow and 1st grade teacher at School 55 in Indianapolis. “Rarely does sustained change and transformation happen alone, and I know that working with passionate teachers from across the state of Indiana can lead to change in our current education system and climate. I am here to support the teachers of Indiana while giving them a voice and platform to stand on.”
The new Fellows hail from Indianapolis, Gary, and Evansville, as well as Hammond and La Porte. Their teaching experience ranges from three to 20 years and the Fellows teach pre-k through 12 grade and across multiple subjects including general education, math, science, social studies, ethics, and special education. The teachers have been trained through a variety of preparation institutions such as traditional undergraduate, master’s programs, and alternative preparation programs. Just over half of the teachers are currently involved in the teachers’ union. The cohort includes school and district teacher of the year recipients and participants in the IDOE’s annual Teacher Leader Bootcamp.
The Fellows have demonstrated their effectiveness, commitment to equity, ability to articulate their students’ needs, and pursuit of excellence and innovation in teaching through a rigorous application process. Throughout the program, the Fellows are trained in policy, advocacy, research, and communications and develop the skills necessary to advocate for changes for Indiana’s students.
“Through the Teach Plus Fellowship I will get to experience a deeper knowledge of how legislation works and how it directly affects my classroom,” said Jaquia Stacy, a Policy Fellow and teacher at Lawrence Advance Academy in Indianapolis. “I am looking forward to the opportunity to use my voice to advocate for teachers and students on current issues.”
The 2022-23 Indiana Policy Fellows are:
- Shannon Adams, Martinsville High School, MSD of Martinsville
- Stephen Dull, Morton High School, School City of Hammond
- Beverly Goodson, West Side Leadership Academy, Gary Public Schools
- Christopher Henderson, IPS/Butler Lab School 55, Indianapolis Public Schools
- Rebecca Huehls, Shortridge High School, Indianapolis Public Schools
- Reginald Paige, West Side Leadership Academy, Gary Public Schools
- Erin Parker, La Porte High School, La Porte Community School Corporation
- Jaquia Stacy, Lawrence Advance Academy, MSD of Lawrence Township
- Emily Wannemuehler, Washington Middle School, Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation
- Ivy Wilcher, 21st Century Charter School, Gary
- Nicole Zore, Pittsboro Primary School, North West Hendricks School Corporation
- Rebecca Zirnheld, Christel House DORS, Indianapolis
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
