Op Eds
When Learning Gets Itchy: Embracing the Lessons of Outdoor Teaching
Indiana
•Mar. 1, 2025Teach Plus Indiana Policy Fellowship
Equipping teachers to be advocates for teachers and students across Indiana.
The Teach Plus Indiana Policy Fellowship is a selective leadership opportunity available to high quality teachers across the state. We invite you to apply if you are a great teacher looking to deepen your knowledge of education policy and gain a voice in decisions that affect Indiana’s students and the teaching profession.
What is the Teach Plus Indiana Policy Fellowship?
Our Policy Fellowship offers teachers the opportunity to expand their influence without leaving the classroom. The Fellowship runs June 2025-June 2026 and selected Fellows will:
- Participate in at least three in-person training sessions,
- Engage in monthly virtual meetings, and smaller issues-focused advocacy group meetings.
- Receive a stipend for their commitment.
What does Teach Plus do?
Teach Plus builds teachers’ understanding of education policy and promotes teacher voice. We work to create and connect teachers to opportunities to lead in real ways at the policy level. Fellows are trained through expert-led modules and direct engagement with key stakeholders in our monthly virtual sessions that focus on:
- Education policy as a lever for student success
- Community organizing
- Op-ed writing and speaking with media
- Advocacy – providing public testimony and speaking with elected officials
- Current and relevant issues in education policy
During the 2025-26 school year, the Fellows will collectively dive into timely policy issues like literacy and the implementation of science of reading, accountability and the role of schools/teachers, teacher preparation and professional development, school funding, and whole child learning support. Our vision is to be proactive in elevating the reality of the classroom, while remaining nimble in response to our state’s landscape.
How does it work?
Teach Plus recruits and selects Policy Fellows from across the state to participate in a selective cohort experience and works to bridge the gap between teachers and key stakeholders and policymakers in Indiana. As a Fellow, you will become part of a larger movement of teacher leadership while learning how to mobilize your peers around critical issues impacting equity for students and the teaching profession in Indiana. You will work in groups with fellow teachers to advocate on behalf of your students.
Our Teach Plus Indiana Policy Fellows have:
- Met with Indiana legislators and staff, testified at hearings, and proposed policy solutions to the Indiana General Assembly.
- Successfully advocated for policy changes related to such topics as the science of reading and teacher scholarship programs.
- Conducted research using surveys and focus groups.
- Wrote op-eds that were published in media outlets including Indianapolis Business Journal, Chalkbeat, and Education Week.
- Published policy briefs on key issues that include teacher retention, evaluation, compensation, preparation programs, and student social justice.
Qualifications
Teach Plus seeks a cohort of teachers who reflect the cultural, linguistic, and geographic diversity of our state. To apply to the Fellowship, you must:
- Be a current teacher of record (PK-12)
- Teach at a traditional public or public charter school in Indiana
- Have at least two full years of teaching experience by August 2025.
- Have a track record of success teaching students
- Be 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 unique perspectives and experiences of students and teachers with policy makers
Application Process
Part 1 – Written Application
- The written application asks you to complete general demographic information, short responses, and a current resume. Teach Plus Indiana will host a virtual information session prior to the application deadline:
- Tuesday, April 8th at 5:30 PM ET / 4:30 PM CT – RSVP HERE
Part 2 – Interview
You will be notified by April 25th if you are invited to participate in a virtual interview.
Part 3 – Selection
You will be notified by May 16th if you have been selected to join the Teach Plus Indiana Policy Fellowship. If accepted, please plan to attend the in-person kickoff
Application Timeline*
- Applications Due – April 13, 2025
- Virtual Interviews – April 30-May 9, 2025
- Final Decision Notification – May 16, 2025
- In-Person Kickoff Event – June 7-8, 2025
*All stated days and times are subject to change
Application Deadline: April 13, 2025
Interested in learning more? Email Kimberly Nguyen at knguyen@teachplus.org.
Become a teacher leader?
Start your application below to join the Teach Plus Indiana Policy Fellowship
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 Indiana Policy Fellowship teachers.
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OPINION | Op-Ed: As new diploma rules come online, Indiana needs more school counselors
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•Feb. 21, 2025Op Eds
Principals Must Embrace the Science of Reading
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•Feb. 13, 2025Op Eds
Universal vouchers won’t mean access for all in private schools | Opinion
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•Feb. 5, 2025Op Eds
TEACHER VOICE: Teaching can mean never-ending work days and nights, and we deserve to be paid for it
Indiana
•Jan. 14, 2025Op Eds
Students with chronic absence need support plans | Opinion
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•Dec. 13, 2024