Newsletter
Teach Plus Arkansas Newsletter, May 2022
Arkansas
•May. 19, 2022Arkansas Policy Fellowship
Training teachers as policy advocates to ensure that Arkansas teachers and students thrive.
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
Qualifications
- Be a current teacher of record with at least two (2) full year of teaching experience by August 2022
- Have a track record of success teaching students in district or charter public schools in Arkansas
- Be ready to dedicate your time and passion to learning about policy and advocating on behalf of changes that impact students
- Be able to attend the kickoff event in late August (exact dates TBD)
Application Process
Part 1 – Written Application
The written application asks you to complete general demographic information, short responses and upload a resume. Applications are due May 31, 2022.
Part 2 – Interview
You will be notified if you have been invited to participate in an interview. Interviews will take place virtually June 13-16, 2022.
Part 3 – Selection
You will be notified if you have been selected to join the Arkansas Teaching Policy Fellowship. If accepted, you will commit to attending the kick-off convening in Little Rock in late August (exact dates and location TBD) and monthly sessions throughout the fellowship.
Know a teacher leader?
Nominate a teacher who wants to achieve change in their schools and in the broader education system.
News and Updates
In The News
20 exceptional educators accepted to Teach Plus Arkansas program
Arkansas
•Apr. 6, 2022In The News
Longer school days and years remain rare as schools fight learning loss with optional time
Arkansas
•Mar. 23, 2022Newsletter
Teach Plus Arkansas Newsletter, Feb. 2022
Arkansas
•Feb. 22, 2022Newsletter
The Voices of Teach Plus Arkansas
Arkansas
•Nov. 23, 2021In The News
Teacher diversity: Experts tell State Board of Ed that NC can and should do better
Arkansas
•Nov. 8, 2021