Op Eds
Making neighborhood schools better will take more than money, resources
Illinois
•Sep. 3, 2024Teach Plus Illinois Policy Fellowship
Training teachers as advocates to ensure Illinois teachers and students thrive
You are invited to apply for the Teach Plus Illinois Policy Fellowship, a highly selective leadership opportunity for outstanding Illinois teachers looking to deepen their knowledge of education policy and gain a voice in decisions that affect students and the teaching profession.
What is the Teach Plus Illinois Policy Fellowship?
- A highly selective leadership opportunity for outstanding Illinois teachers looking to deepen their knowledge of education policy and gain a voice in decisions that affect students and the teaching profession.
- Fellows expand their influence without leaving the classroom, starting in June 2025 and concluding in June 2026.
- Fellows receive training through expert-led modules and direct engagement with key stakeholders.
- No prior policy experience required.
- Monthly Fellows Sessions (most virtually, with two in-person weekends)
What does Teach Plus do?
Teach Plus trains teachers in understanding education policy advocacy as a lever for student success, including community organizing, writing op-eds, speaking to the media, providing public testimony, meeting with legislators, and more. Teach Plus works to create and connect teachers to opportunities to lead in meaningful ways at the policy level.
How does it work?
Teach Plus recruits and selects Teach Plus Illinois 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 Illinois. Teach Plus works with key stakeholders and policymakers to join the conversation.
Our Teach Plus Illinois Policy Fellows have:
- Wrote and passed the teacher-created Racism-Free Schools Act to address racial harassment and discrimination in schools.
- Successfully advocated for Illinois’ historic education funding reform by meeting with lawmakers, organizing teachers throughout the state, and holding a rally in Springfield.
- Successfully advocated for the passage of Illinois’ new Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading Standards.
- Wrote op-eds that were published in media outlets including Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Chalkbeat, and Education Week,
- Conducted, published and presented original research elevating teacher perspectives on diversifying the teaching pipeline for students, preservice educators, and educators of color, innovative instruction, use of federal COVID funding, and restorative discipline practices, among other topics.
Qualifications
Teach Plus seeks a cohort of teachers who reflect the cultural, linguistic, and geographic diversity of our state. Apply if you:
- Are a current teacher of record and will have completed at least two (2) full years of teaching experience by August 2025
- Have a track record of success teaching students in Illinois
- Are ready to dedicate your time and passion to learning about policy and advocating for change
- Understand that racism is real and that anti-racism is our responsibility as educators
- Have a passion for sharing the diverse perspectives and experiences of students and teachers with policy makers
Application Process
Phase 1 – Written Application
The written application asks you to complete general demographic information, short responses and provide contact information for two professional references (letters of reference are not required.) Applications are due April 7th, 2025.
Phase 2 – Interview
You will be notified by Tuesday, April 15th, 2025 if you have been invited to participate in an interview. Interviews will take place virtually between April 21 and May 4, 2025.
Final Status Notifications
You will be notified if you have been selected to join the Illinois Policy Fellowship. If accepted, you will commit to attending the virtual kick-off convenings scheduled for:
- Tuesday, June 24, 2025 3-5pm
- Thursday, June 26, 2025 3-5pm
- Wednesday, July 16, 2025 2-5pm
You should also plan to attend regular monthly cohort sessions on Tuesday evenings, the in-person kickoff August 2-3 and our in-person fall retreat November 8-9.
IMPORTANT: if you cannot attend the two in-person sessions in August and November, you will not be eligible for selection to this year’s Fellowship.
Application Deadline: April 7, 2025
Questions? Please contact Policy Director Bill Curtin
Become a teacher leader?
Start your application below to join the Teach Plus Illinois Policy Fellowship
Know a teacher leader?
Nominate a teacher who wants to achieve change in their schools and in the broader education system.
We invite you to view a Virtual Information Session to hear more from Teach Plus Illinois staff and Policy Fellowship alums about all of our programs, and to join us for an info and Q&A session specific to the Policy Fellowship to learn more, engage in conversation, and ask questions.
- View the recorded Virtual Information Session (coming soon!)
- Add a Conversation and Q&A about the Policy Fellowship to your calendar:
Meet our Teacher Leaders
Get to know the Teach Plus Illinois Policy Fellowship teachers.
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