Empowering educators to co-create safe, supportive, and transformative spaces to support educators of color
Know someone who would be an excellent fit to serve as a PAGN facilitator? Nominate a Teacher below, and we will invite them to apply!
The Philadelphia Affinity Group Network, led by Teach Plus Pennsylvania, cultivates authentic, inclusive, intersectional spaces, to support educators of color. These identity-affirming and supportive spaces, rooted in an asset-based understanding of diversity, support educators in navigating and improving their school environments and are connected to a larger network to build alliances and address systemic issues.
The Philadelphia Affinity Group Network, seeks to cultivate authentic, inclusive, intersectional spaces to support educators of color. These affirming and supportive spaces, rooted in an asset-based understanding of diversity, will support educators in navigating and improving their school environments. They will be connected to a larger network to build alliances and address systemic issues, and will be open to educators currently working in Philadelphia district and charter schools.
The network started with 21 affinity groups across the city in 2023-24 and expanded in 2024-25, serving over 300 educators since the initial launch.
Each affinity group is facilitated by a teacher leader who participates in monthly professional learning, coaching support from a Teach Plus leadership coach, and are part of a community of practice of fellow facilitators. Together, these supports equip teacher leaders to design their affinity group, recruit members, and lead monthly affinity group meetings.
Teach Plus recruits and selects Philadelphia Affinity Group Network Facilitators from across the city 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 Philadelphia’s classrooms.
Teach Plus seeks a cohort of educators to facilitate affinity groups. Apply if you:
The written application asks you to complete general demographic information, short responses and provide a resume. Applications are due Friday, May 22, 2026.
You will be notified by MJune 2nd, 2026 if you have been invited to participate in an interview. Interviews will take place MJune 8-18, 2026.
You will be notified if you have been selected to become a Philadelphia Affinity Group Network Facilitator. If accepted, you will commit to attending professional development: the in-person facilitator orientation in August 2026, the Network Kickoff, and an End of Year Celebration in June, monthly sessions throughout the program, and monthly coaching scheduled around your availability.
*Please note: The official continuation of this program is contingent upon final confirmation of funding.
Start your application below to become a Philadelphia Affinity Group Network Facilitator.
Nominate a teacher who wants to achieve change in their schools and in the broader education system.
The Philadelphia Affinity Group Network is open to all K-12 teachers and educators in non-administrator roles in the School District of Philadelphia and Philadelphia-based charter schools.The Philadelphia Affinity Group Network is open to all self-identified K-12 teachers of color (e.g., Black, Latino/x, Asian, Middle Eastern, North African, etc.) and educators in non-administrative roles in the School District of Philadelphia and Philadelphia-based charter schools.
Affinity spaces for educators of color have been identified by researchers as a promising practice for retaining educators of color, particularly Black male educators, by creating culturally affirming environments where teachers of color can share openly, feel solidarity, engage in collaborative problem-solving and support around the unique challenges teachers of color experience, and cultivate tools for self-advocacy and collective advocacy to meet both professional and personal goals. One such program, The Black Teacher Project, found that their affinity-based professional development decreased isolation and increased retention for Black teachers. Recommendations for affinity group spaces have also emerged out of both of Teach Plus’ national research projects involving focus groups of teachers of color.
