Arkansas Policy Fellowship​

Training teachers as policy advocates to ensure that Arkansas teachers and students thrive.
arkansas teachers at state capitol

Teach Plus Arkansas invites teachers to apply for the Arkansas Teaching Policy Fellowship. This is a highly selective paid leadership opportunity for outstanding Arkansas teachers looking to deepen their knowledge of education policy and strengthen their voice in decisions that affect students and the teaching profession.

Through the Fellowship, we develop, support, and empower some of Arkansas’s best teachers to become advocates for their students by developing specific policy recommendations that will improve educational systems for all children across the state.

What is the Teach Plus Arkansas Teaching Fellowship?

  • Fellows expand their influence without leaving the classroom, starting in August 2022 and concluding in August 2023.  
  • Fellows participate in Monthly Sessions (virtual and in-person)
  • Fellows receive training through expert-led modules and direct engagement with key stakeholders. No prior policy experience required. 
  • We will recruit teachers statewide, with a particular focus on recruiting teachers from the Arkansas Delta, Central Arkansas and Northwest Arkansas.
  • Fellows receive a $1,500 stipend for their commitment.

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 level.

How Does It Work?

Teach Plus recruits and selects Arkansas Teaching Policy Fellows from across the state to participate in the cohort 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 Arkansas. Teach Plus works with key stakeholders and policymakers to join the conversation.

Teach Plus Policy Fellows have:

  • Met with Arkansas state house representative to learn about the legislative process and provide support of bilingual and dual immersion legislation
  • Conducted focus groups with Arkansas teachers to develop recommendations for educator diversity. 
  • Developed and presented policy recommendations to districts in support of improving recruitment and retention of diverse educators
  • Presented to Arkansas Education Secretary Johnny Key and State Board of Education on Teacher Diversity report
  • Partnered with a large district to advocate for professional development on early reading strategies for pre-K teachers
  • Met with Joint Senate and House Committee on Education
  • Met with DESE/ADE leaders, influential policymakers, community advocates, administrators and other educational leaders  
  • Conducted roundtable discussions with early childhood educators regarding pay equity
  • Conducted teacher surveys around teacher preparation experiences and social emotional/mental health needs

Know a teacher leader?

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

Nominate a Teacher
AR meet teachers-80

Meet our Teacher Leaders

Get to know the Policy Fellowship Arkansas teachers.

Get to Know Us

News and Updates

In The News

Local teachers selected for policy fellowship cohort

Arkansas
•Aug. 29, 2022
Press Release

Teach Plus Arkansas Names 26 Highly Effective Educators to Its 2022-23 Policy Fellowship Cohort

Arkansas
•Aug. 24, 2022
In The News

Arkansas teachers share their optimism and concerns for the upcoming school year

Arkansas
•Aug. 17, 2022
In The News

Arkansas school safety committee pushes for early recognition of mental health issues

Arkansas
•Aug. 15, 2022
In The News

Rally Cry – Teachers, students and supporters call for better pay

Arkansas
•Aug. 8, 2022
Newsletter

Teach Plus Arkansas Newsletter, May 2022

Arkansas
•May. 19, 2022