Newsletter
The Voices of Teach Plus Arkansas, February 2023
Arkansas
•Feb. 27, 2023Teach 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 Teach Plus Arkansas Policy Fellowship, a prestigious paid leadership opportunity designed for exceptional Arkansas educators. This 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 nurture, support, and empower some of Arkansas's finest teachers to advocate for their students. Fellows will develop targeted policy recommendations aimed at enhancing educational systems for all children statewide.
What is the Teach Plus Arkansas Policy Fellowship?
- Fellows expand their influence without leaving the classroom, starting in August 2024 and concluding in June 2025.
- Teachers are recruited statewide, with a particular focus on those from the Arkansas Delta, Central Arkansas, and Northwest Arkansas.
- 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.
- Fellows receive a $1,500 stipend for their commitment.
What Does Teach Plus Do?
Teach Plus provides comprehensive training that equips teachers with the necessary skills to understand education policy as a means to drive student success. Our training includes community organizing, op-ed writing, media communication, public testimony delivery, and other essential skills. We strive to create pathways and genuine opportunities for teachers to lead effectively in shaping policy decisions.
How Does It Work?
Teach Plus recruits and carefully selects Arkansas Policy Fellows from diverse 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 mobilizing your peers around critical issues affecting the teaching profession 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:
- Attended Advocacy Days at the Capitol, testifying at legislative committees and taking part in meetings with Arkansas lawmakers and Arkansas Department of Education officials.
- Conducted focus groups, surveyed teachers, moderated roundtable discussions, hosted monthly conversations on current educational topics, and partnered with school districts.
- Successfully advocated for policy changes related to such issues as educator pay and mental health.
- Wrote op-eds that were published in media outlets including The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Advocate, and Arkansas Times.
- Researched and published policy briefs on early childhood education, teacher retention, mental health support, and increasing teacher diversity, among other issues.
Qualifications
- Be a current teacher of record with at least two (2) full years of teaching experience by August 2024
- Have a proven track record of successfully teaching students in district or charter public schools within Arkansas.
- Be prepared to devote your time and passion to learning about education policy and advocating for changes that positively impact students.
- Be solution-oriented and willing to write an op-ed containing specific recommendations on a personal topic of interest, while also actively contributing to the research and composition of a working group product
- Be available to attend the kickoff event in August (exact dates to be determined).
- Be willing to commit to attending monthly cohort meetings, and special meetings (when possible), and actively participating within your assigned working group.
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, 2024.
Part 2 – Interview
You will be notified if you have been invited to participate in an interview. Interviews will take place virtually on June 18, 2024.
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 August (exact dates and location TBD) and monthly sessions throughout the fellowship.
Questions? Email Stacey McAdoo at smcadoo@teachplus.org
Know a teacher leader?
Nominate a teacher who wants to achieve change in their schools and in the broader education system.
Meet our Teacher Leaders
Get to know the Teach Plus Arkansas Policy Fellowship teachers.
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