Fellows will focus on improving the implementation of science of reading, supporting the teacher pipeline, school accountability, and education funding for the year
Indianapolis, IN, September 5, 2024 — Teach Plus, a national nonprofit that empowers teachers to lead student-centered improvements in educational policy and instructional practice, has selected a diverse group of 14 educators from across Indiana for its 2024-25 Policy Fellowship cohort. Over the next year, the Fellows will focus on developing a set of policy solutions to improve the outcomes and conditions for students across the state. The Fellows will work on advancing the implementation of the science of reading in Indiana’s classrooms, as well as advocate for equitable education funding and an improved school accountability system.
“Our students need foundational skills and knowledge to be successful and to thrive, and that begins with building excellent literacy skills and a system that supports this critical work,” said Rachel Hathaway, Teach Plus Indiana Executive Director. “This group of Teach Plus Policy Fellows is building on the work of previous cohorts by championing teacher training and support around the implementation of science of reading and advocating for a meaningful school accountability system, as well as elevating the need for an accurate, equitable funding formula and a profession that recruits and retains effective educators who can demonstrably improve student outcomes.”
“I am excited to advocate for policies that can drive student success on issues like the implementation of the science of reading and the retention of highly qualified, diverse teaching staff,” said Lauren Anderson, a 2024-25 Teach Plus Indiana Policy Fellow and 1st grade teacher at an Indianapolis charter school. “I believe student success begins with qualified teachers and responsive learning environments, and I hope to have a say in passing policies that create positive change for students, while supporting teachers.”
The 2024-25 Indiana Policy Fellows come from across the state with representation in urban hubs as well as small-town Indiana, including Indianapolis, Hammond, Bloomington, and Evansville, as well as Waldron, Danville, and Greenfield. With just under half of the cohort identifying as teachers of color, the Fellows reflect the diversity of the state’s students. The new Fellows have been teaching anywhere from four to 30 years and represent traditional public schools, innovation schools, and charter public schools, teaching elementary through high school. From English to math to special education and from generalists to specialists, the cohort represents the wide variety of subjects taught in Indiana schools. Fellows have been recognized as teachers of the year by their cities, outstanding educators by their Chambers of Commerce, school-based teachers of the year, and have been included in top 25 teachers of the year for Indiana.
“I look forward to deepening my understanding of education policy so that I can transfer that knowledge into powerful action steps within my community,” said Andrew McKenzie, a 2024-25 Teach Plus Indiana Policy Fellow and a Bloomington-based educator. “ I seek to evolve into a more equity-focused teacher who can identify and remedy the sometimes unspoken yet complex needs of our students and families, and I want to be a role model for my students on how to maximize opportunities, build meaningful connections, and offer positive contributions to society.”
The 2024-25 Teach Plus Indiana Policy Fellows are:
- Lauren Anderson – KIPP Indy Unite Elementary, Indianapolis Public Schools
- Christine D. Bizzell – Christian Park Elementary, Indianapolis Public Schools
- Megan Brown – Hammond Central High, School City of Hammond
- Will Campbell – Christel House Watanabe High School, Indianapolis Public School Innovation
- Denise Corbin – Waldron Jr. Sr. High, Shelby Eastern Schools
- Heather Houston – Liberty Grove School at Elder W. Diggs 42, Indianapolis Public Schools Innovation
- Heather Jackson – Danville Community High School, Danville Community School Corporation
- Shawnice Johns – Bloomington High School South, Monroe County Community Schools
- Andrew McKenzie – Fairview Elementary School, Monroe County Community Schools
- LaShanda McKinney-Carson – New Augusta Public Academy North, MSD of Pike Township
- J. Chatlin Pearson – Christel House Academy West, Indianapolis Charter
- Amy Swartz – Greenfield Intermediate School, Greenfield-Central Community Schools
- John Wells – F.J. Reitz High School, Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation
- Javonte’ Williams – The PATH school, Indianapolis Public Schools Innovation
The 2024-25 Teach Plus Indiana Senior Policy Fellows are:
- David McGuire – Lawrence Township
- Andrew Pillow – KIPP Indy Public Schools
- Jeff Swisher – Griffith Public Schools
To learn more about our newest cohort of Policy Fellows visit our website to read their profiles. If interested in interviewing Executive Director Rachel Hathaway or any of the Fellows, please contact Kelly Pearce at kpearce@teachplus.org or 928-925-9236.
About Teach Plus
Teach Plus is dedicated to the mission of empowering excellent, experienced, and diverse teachers to take leadership over key policy and practice issues that advance equity, opportunity, and student success. In pursuing our mission, Teach Plus is guided by our Student Opportunity Mandate: All students should have the opportunity to achieve their potential in an education system defined by its commitment to equity, its responsiveness to individual needs, and its ability to prepare students for postsecondary 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 for students. Learn more about Teach Plus Indiana at https://teachplus.org/in/.
