Policy Fellows Will Advocate for Early Literacy Policies, Reimagined Teaching Workforce, Equitable School Funding, and More
Harrisburg, PA, August 25, 2025—Fourth grade marks the pivotal point where students transition from learning to read to reading to learn, yet only one in three Pennsylvania fourth graders are proficient readers. Teach Plus Pennsylvania has set an ambitious goal: making the commonwealth the fastest-improving state in fourth grade reading. The organization has selected 46 outstanding Pennsylvania educators for its 2025-26 Policy Fellowship to advance reading achievement and other student outcomes by improving literacy policy, increasing funding for education, and strengthening the educator workforce.
“For every Pennsylvania student to succeed, we need educators leading policy changes—because educators are closest to students and see what works in classrooms every day. At a time when state resources are constrained, federal funding is uncertain, and our legislature appears ever more divided, the evidence-based, bipartisan solutions Teach Plus PA Policy Fellows are known for are more critical than ever. These 46 outstanding educators will work alongside lawmakers from both chambers and parties to prioritize literacy as the foundation for student success,” said Teach Plus Pennsylvania Policy Manager Emily Sagor.
The new Policy Fellows will build on the work of previous Pennsylvania teacher leaders, advocating for policies that help close achievement gaps and make sure reading instruction and teacher training follow proven methods. In 2024, the advocacy of Teach Plus Policy Fellows and alumni—including public testimony, op-eds, and meetings with lawmakers—led to the passage of Act 135 to advance the science of reading and the development of the new adequacy formula to address Pennsylvania’s unconstitutional school funding system. In addition to a working group focused on advancing early literacy policy, the new cohort will also advocate for early childhood education, teacher workforce expansion, fair school funding, and giving teachers more leadership opportunities.
The 2025-26 Pennsylvania Policy Fellows hail from across the Keystone State and teach in diverse classrooms from preK-12. They bring a variety of experience and teach in communities from Pittsburgh and Trafford in the West to Allentown and Kutztown in the East.
“I’m really looking forward to being able to advocate for the teaching profession and students in a way that can make an actual difference in the state of Pennsylvania,” said Shannon Dietz, 2025-26 Teach Plus Pennsylvania Policy Fellow and high school math teacher in the Ephrata Area School District. “Working to expand and diversify the teacher pipeline this year will aid districts like mine in building a more sustainable, equitable future for our schools and students, who deserve strong teachers to guide them toward their dreams.”
Throughout the program, Teach Plus develops and deepens Fellows’ expertise in policy analysis, advocacy, research, and communications, equipping them with the skills to bring evidence-based solutions to the table. Each Fellow was selected for their ability to articulate the needs of their students and communities and their demonstrated excellence and innovation in teaching, ensuring they can effectively advocate for meaningful changes that will benefit children across Pennsylvania.
The 2025-26 Teach Plus Pennsylvania Policy Fellows are:
- Christopher Brown, Tredyffrin/Easttown School District
- Shawnette Brown, Tredyffrin/Easttown School District
- Hayley Butler, Crafton Children’s Corner (Pittsburgh)
- Missy Carey, Upper Adams School District
- Brianna Cicero, Pennsylvania STEAM Academy Charter School (Harrisburg)
- Christina Crews, Palisades School District
- Nikki Coffee, Kidsville Learning Center (Pittsburgh)
- Martine Devine, Pittsburgh Public Schools
- Shannon Dietz, Ephrata Area School District
- Nikki Dinofrio, Lehigh Career and Technical Institute (Schnecksville)
- Allison Duclo, Cambria Heights School District
- Danielle Greene, Cocalico School District
- Stephanie Holmberg, South Western School District
- Taylor Hough, Solanco School District
- Avery Hower, Jim Thorpe Area School District
- Moira Hull, School District of Philadelphia
- Walter Kirby, School District of Philadelphia
- Emmie Ledesma, School District of Philadelphia
- Chelsea McGovern, West Chester Area School District
- Jessica Munoz, Allentown School District
- Kristen Peeples, School District of Philadelphia
- Gabriela Rodriguez, School District of Philadelphia
- Heather Romberger, Allentown School District
- Aimee Seitz, Mifflin County School District
- Michelle Sherman, Mechanicsburg Area School District
- Brittany Shoup, Pittsburgh Public Schools
- Cheryl Smith, YWCA Greater Pittsburgh
- Trey Smith, School District of Philadelphia
- VeAundrea Smith, Susquehanna Township School District
- Brian VanKirk, Southmoreland School District
- Jessica Werntz, Ephrata Area School District
- Terry Young Jr., KIPP Philadelphia Public Schools
The 2025-26 Teach Plus Pennsylvania Senior Policy Fellows are:
- Kaitlin Allsopp, Mastery Charter Schools (Philadelphia)
- Meghan Amayo, North Hills School District
- Lacey Anderson, South Western School District
- Amy Baranowski, School District of Philadelphia
- Kyle Bender, Tiny Tots Child Development Center (Rochester)
- Megan King, Mechanicsburg Area School District
- Christine Persun, Mechanicsburg Area School District
- Alicia Powell, School District of Philadelphia
- Suzanne Shaffer, Scranton School District
- Ciminy St. Clair, Norwin School District
- Nelson Suarez, Manheim Township School District
- Jasmine Thompson, Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship (Pittsburgh)
- Jill Weller-Reilly, Central Bucks School District
- Nicole Wyglendowski, School District of Philadelphia
If interested in interviewing Executive Director Laura Boyce 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. 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 Pennsylvania at https://teachplus.org/pa/.
