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Teach Plus California Policy Fellowship

Training teachers as advocates to ensure that California teachers and students thrive

Application Deadline: July 10, 2026

What is the Teach Plus California Policy Fellowship?

The California Teaching Policy Fellowship is a highly competitive leadership opportunity that trains exceptional teacher leaders as advocates for improving educational opportunities for students. Through the course of the program, Fellows:

Expand their influence without leaving the classroom.
Participate in in-person training sessions and monthly virtual sessions.
Engage directly with key stakeholders and policy makers.
Receive training through expert-led modules. No prior policy experience required (previous candidates may reapply).
Receive a $1,500 stipend for their commitment.

What Does Teach Plus Do?

Teach Plus trains teachers in understanding education policy as a lever for student success, community organizing, writing op-eds, speaking to the media, providing public testimony, and more. Teach Plus creates and connects teachers to leadership opportunities at the policy level. Read our 2025-26 Policy Agenda to learn more about the advocacy issues our fellows pursued this year.

How Does It Work?

Teach Plus recruits and selects California Policy Fellows from across the state to participate in the cohort experience. Fellows become part of a larger movement of teacher leadership and help mobilize their peers around top issues impacting the teaching profession and educational equity in California. Teach Plus works with key stakeholders and policymakers to join the conversation.

Our Teach Plus California Policy Fellows have:

Testified at the California State Legislature and California State Board of Education.
Conducted focus groups, led webinars for teachers, and presented at conferences.
Successfully advocated for policy changes related to such issues as high-quality instructional materials that are culturally relevant, instruction and resources for English learners, and teaching standards.
Wrote op-eds that were published in EdSource, CalMatters, The Los Angeles Times, The San Diego Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle, and other media outlets.
Researched and published policy briefs about revising teacher standards, diversifying the teaching profession, implementing the California English Learner Roadmap, and fostering empathetic schools, among other topics.

Qualifications

Teach Plus seeks a cohort of teachers who reflect the cultural, linguistic, and geographic diversity of California. Apply to the policy fellowship if you:

Are a current teacher of record (PK-12) with at least two full years of teaching experience by July 2026.
Have a track record of success teaching students in traditional public or charter schools in California.
Are ready to dedicate your time and energy to learning about policy and advocating on behalf of changes that impact your students — while continuing to teach full time.
Have a passion for sharing the diverse perspectives and experiences of students and teachers with policy makers.

Application Process

Application Deadline: Monday, July 10, 2026

Part 1- Written Application (due by July 10, 2026)

Part 2- Interview (July 27 – August 4, 2026)

Part 3- Final Selection (August 7, 2026)

Part 4- Fellowship Kick Off (September 26, 2026)

Join our virtual information session on Monday, June 15 at 4:00 pm to learn more about the fellowship and hear directly from teacher leaders who have participated in the previous fellowship cohorts. Register Here.

Interested in joining?

Start your application below to join the Teach Plus California Policy Fellowship

Know a teacher leader?

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

Questions?

For more information about the fellowship, please contact:

Bryan Monroy
Policy Manager
Teach Plus New California
bmonroy@teachplus.org

Meet Our Teacher Leaders

•Aug. 11, 2025

Am I making any difference? A California civics teacher’s response to a civic education poll