Op Eds
What Education Reformers and Anti-Reformers Have in Common
Colorado
•Jan. 30, 2019Colorado Teacher Network
Teach Plus Colorado is excited to expand our collaborative efforts with teachers who want to be active in educational policy.
What is the Colorado Teacher Network?
As a Colorado Network teacher, you will receive updates about our specific policy topics, research, and recommendations, receive training on policy advocacy, have an opportunity to advocate, and collaborate with other champion educators from your region and throughout the state.
Through our Teacher Networks, we engage with a broader community of educators to inform them on key educational issues in their state and deploy them in advocacy efforts to improve the teaching profession and outcomes for students. Network members gain access to Teach Plus training and learning sessions and help drive advocacy led by Teaching Policy Fellows and alumni to increase equitable opportunities for students.
Qualifications
- Be a current or retired teacher in Colorado
- Be willing to participate in one Teach Plus activity including: taking a poll/survey, giving written/verbal testimony, attending a T+ event and/or writing an op ed
- Be willing to participate in monthly check-ins/trainings
What Do We Do?
Teach Plus trains teachers in understanding education policy as a lever for student success, community organizing, writing op-eds and speaking to the media, providing public testimony, and more. Teach Plus works to create and connect teachers to opportunities to lead in real ways at the policy making level.
How Does It Work?
Teach Plus recruits and selects Colorado Network teachers from across the state to participate in the partnership experience. You will become part of a larger movement of teacher leadership and help mobilize your peers around top issues impacting the teaching profession in Colorado. Colorado Network teachers will have a light scale experience of the Policy Fellowship and will have an opportunity to apply for future Policy Fellowships.
Opportunities as a Network Teacher
- Attend high quality in-person/virtual trainings on understanding educational policy, teacher leadership, etc.
- Talk with education decision makers, including state legislators
- Stay up to date on Teach Plus Colorado’s research, recommendations, and advocacy work
- Attend Teach Plus events
- Learn about and stay updated on educational bills during the Legislative Session
- Learn about and take advantage of various conferences and other convenings in the state and nation-wide
Nationally and locally, Teach Plus Policy Fellows have:
- Met with district and state legislators to advocate for policies that benefit their students.
- Shaped state plans across the country for the Every Student Succeeds Act, including Colorado’s ESSA plan.
- Worked with Colorado’s Commissioner of Education to create the “Commissioner’s Teacher Cabinet”.
- Provided funds for teachers to micro-pilot ideas around teacher evaluations in their districts.
- Written and published numerous policy briefs on social emotional learning, teacher preparation programs, mental health, school funding, and teacher evaluations among other topics.
- Been published or featured in Education Week, the Associated Press, Christian Science Monitor, LA Times, major local news publications including Chalkbeat Colorado, the Denver Post, and appeared on National Public Radio, Colorado Public Radio and local and national television outlets.
Application Process
Part 1 – Written Application
The written application asks you to complete general demographic information, choice and short responses. Applications are ongoing.
Part 2 – Selection
You will be notified if you have been selected to join the Colorado Teacher Network. If accepted, you will have an opportunity to attend in-person and virtual training events and participate in local/state advocacy efforts, including opportunities to attend the Legislative Session.
Join the Network
Collaborate with other champion educators from your region and throughout the state.
Teacher Voices
Op Eds
Why I won’t strike: Denver teachers in high-poverty schools, like me, deserve real bonuses
Colorado
•Jan. 16, 2019Op Eds
Colorado’s Children Deserve Better Social Emotional Support
Colorado
•Jan. 11, 2019Op Eds
How My Class Would Benefit From Amendment 73
Colorado
•Nov. 1, 2018Op Eds
Nick didn’t need another suspension. He needed to know I loved him and believed in him.
Colorado
•Aug. 8, 2018Op Eds
Teacher evaluations are a vital tool — not a political football
Colorado
•Jun. 14, 2018