In The News
Lincoln teachers advocate on education policy issues
Arkansas
•Jun. 11, 2025Teach Plus Arkansas 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 Policy Fellowship, a prestigious paid leadership opportunity designed for exceptional Arkansas educators. The fellowship aims to enhance participants' understanding of education policy and amplify their influence in shaping decisions that impact students and the teaching profession. Through this program, we support and empower educators to advocate for their students by developing targeted policy recommendations aimed at enhancing educational systems in Arkansas.
What is the Teach Plus Arkansas Policy Fellowship?
- Fellows will engage in two-hour monthly sessions, both virtual and in-person, receiving training through expert-led modules and direct interaction with key stakeholders.
- Educators from across the state are invited to apply, with a special emphasis on attracting educators from the Arkansas Delta, Central Arkansas, and Northwest Arkansas regions.
- The program launches in July 2025 and concludes in June 2026.
- No prior policy experience is necessary.
- Fellows will receive a $1,500 stipend for their dedicated participation.
What Does Teach Plus Do?
Teach Plus equips teachers with the necessary skills to understand education policy as a means to drive student outcomes and success. Through our training, teachers learn policy, advocacy, and communications skills such as delivering testimony and op-ed writing. We create pathways and opportunities for teachers to lead effectively in shaping policy decisions that have a direct impact on student learning.
How Does It Work?
Teach Plus recruits and selects Arkansas Policy Fellows from regions across the state to engage in our cohort experience. As a Fellow, you’ll join a dynamic community of teacher leaders and play a vital role in advocating for critical issues affecting teaching and learning in Arkansas. Teach Plus collaborates with key stakeholders and policymakers to ensure teachers have a seat at the table in shaping meaningful conversations and decisions.
Our Teach Plus Arkansas Policy Fellows have:
- Engaged with Arkansas state house representatives to understand the legislative process and advocate for bilingual and dual immersion legislation.
- Presented recommendations to the Secretary of Education and Arkansas State Board of Education.
- Met with the Joint Senate and House Committee on Education as well as the Arkansas Legislative Black Caucus.
- Participated in Advocacy Days at the Capitol.
- Conducted roundtable discussions with educators on a variety of issues including early literacy training.
- Testified at legislative committee meetings.
- Hosted monthly educator conversations on current educational issues.
- Published op-eds on a variety of topics, including the importance of early childhood education and promoting a love of reading.
- Presented at school board meetings and various conferences.
- Authored briefs, memos, and recommendations on early childhood education, teacher retention, mental health support, increasing teacher representation, and rules for governing professional development.
Meet our Teacher Leaders
Get to know the Teach Plus Arkansas Policy Fellowship teachers.
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