Illinois Affinity Group Facilitators

Helping educators of Color to create safe, supportive, and transformative spaces

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Application Deadline: May 1, 2024

What are Illinois Affinity Group Facilitators?

  • Illinois Affinity Group Facilitators seek to cultivate authentic, inclusive, intersectional spaces, shaped by and for educators of Color
  • Facilitators create affirming and supportive spaces, rooted in an asset-based understanding of diversity, which support educators in navigating and improving their school environments and are connected to a larger network to build alliances and address systemic issues
  • Facilitators support their peers by forming an affinity group in their context during the 2024-2025 school year
  • Facilitators lead a local Advocacy Action Team (recruited from the affinity group members) which will identify barriers to retention of educators of Color, and propose and advocate for solutions
  • Facilitators receive training to conceptualize and design their affinity group, leadership coaching to support the implementation of their affinity group throughout the year, and are part of a professional learning community to build skills, share ideas, and work through common problems
  • Facilitators receive a $2,500 stipend for their commitment

What Does Teach Plus Do?

Teach Plus trains teachers in a variety of skills including: Understanding Structural Racism; Personal Consciousness and reflection; Setting Up Affinity Groups; Preparing to Lead Adults; Building Community and learning; Building Momentum; and Organizing for Impact

How Does It Work?

Teach Plus recruits and selects Illinois Affinity Group Facilitators from across the state who will develop, launch, and facilitate affinity groups in their contexts.  They will become part of a larger movement of racial equity and support for educators of Color, with the goal of keeping more educators of Color in Illinois’ classrooms.

Facilitators design and facilitate Affinity Groups which will:

  • Be responsive to local needs and be designed by facilitators and participants
  • Have at least eight members and meet at least monthly throughout the year
  • Receive additional funds for community building & to support local Advocacy Action Teams
  • Participate in a network of educator-led Affinity Groups for educators of Color

Qualifications

Teach Plus seeks a cohort of educators of Color to facilitate affinity groups in their contexts. Apply if you:

  • Are a current educator or teacher of record with at least two (2) full years of experience within your current school/district by August 2024
  • Are an advocate for racial justice and model an equity mindset and are willing to learn about policies that affect the retention of educators of Color and engage in advocacy
  • Are able to facilitate collaboration, build relationships & lead complex, sometimes uncomfortable, conversations 
  • Demonstrate capacity for strategic planning, effective communication, problem-solving, and organization

Application Process

Part 1 – Written Application

The written application asks you to complete general demographic information, short responses and provide a resume. Applications are due May 1st, 2024.

Part 2 – Interview

You will be notified by May 10th, 2024 if you have been invited to participate in an interview. Interviews will take place May 20th-23rd, and May 28th-30th, 2024

Part 3 – Selection

You will be notified if you have been selected to become an Illinois Affinity Group Facilitator. If accepted, you will commit to attending professional development: the in-person Kick-off Convening Saturday, July 27th, and Sunday, July 28th, 2024(food and accommodations will be provided), in-person Mid-Year Convening in January, monthly virtual sessions throughout the fellowship, and monthly one-on-one coaching scheduled around your availability.

Interested in becoming a teacher leader?

Click below to start your application.

Know a teacher leader?

Nominate a teacher who wants to achieve change in their schools and in the broader education system.

Schedule one-on-one time with a leadership coach to learn more about the Illinois Affinity Group Facilitator Fellowship and have your questions answered.

Attend our Information Session on Wednesday, April 10th at 5:30 pm to learn more about the Illinois Affinity Group Facilitator Fellowship, have your questions answered, and hear from previous Affinity Group Facilitators. 

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