Op Eds
Defying the Odds Through Common Core and PARCC
Massachusetts
•Jul. 6, 2015Teach Plus Massachusetts Policy Fellowship
We grow teachers as leaders and empower them to take action in order to increase equitable opportunities for students.
Our Story
You are invited to apply for the Teach Plus Massachusetts Policy Fellowship, a highly selective leadership opportunity for outstanding Massachusetts teachers looking to deepen your knowledge of education policy and gain a voice in decisions that affect your students and the teaching profession.
Launched in 2009, the Greater Boston Teaching Policy Fellowship offered excellent teachers an unprecedented opportunity to influence key education policy issues. In an effort to reach more teachers, Teach Plus Massachusetts launched the Massachusetts Policy Fellowship in 2016.
Today, Teach Plus Massachusetts offers the Massachusetts Policy Fellowship to outstanding teachers in the state looking to deepen their knowledge of education policy and gain a voice in decisions that directly affect students and the teaching profession. The fellowship is open to teachers in the Greater Boston area and to teachers across Massachusetts.
What is the Teach Plus Massachusetts Policy Fellowship?
- Fellows expand their influence without leaving the classroom, starting in August 2024 and concluding in June 2025.
- 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 trains teachers in understanding education policy as a lever for student success, community organizing and outreach, promoting teacher voice through writing op-eds and speaking to the media, providing public testimony, and more. We work to create and connect teachers to opportunities to lead in real ways at the policy level.
How does it work?
Teach Plus recruits and selects Teach Plus Massachusetts Policy Fellows from across the state to participate in a year-long cohort experience. Fellows become part of a larger movement of teacher leadership and help mobilize their peers around top issues impacting the teaching profession. Teach Plus works with key stakeholders and policymakers in the state to inform the conversation and influence outcomes.
Our Teach Plus Massachusetts Policy Fellows have:
- Participated in meetings with state education officials from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and other lawmakers.
- Been named Massachusetts State Teacher of the Year and National Teacher of the Year.
- Presented at national and statewide conferences, and conducted surveys and focus groups.
- Wrote op-eds published in such media outlets as CommonWealth Magazine, Eduptopia, and The Hechinger Report.
- Published a policy brief on the Student Opportunity Act and a memo on early education and care.
In the past year:
Our Policy Fellows focused on advancing equity and opportunity in education across the Commonwealth. During the 2023-2024 program year fellows advocated for the Educator Diversity Act, participated with the Common Start Coalition, and leveraged work from the Massachusetts Equity Education Partnership. They also advocated for increased support for LGBTQ+ educators and students, and led focus groups and statewide surveys on important topics such as High Quality Assessments, The Science of Reading, and Early Childhood Education.
Qualifications
Teach Plus seeks a cohort of teachers who reflect the cultural and geographic diversity of Massachusetts. Apply to the policy fellowship if you:
- Are a current teacher of record (ECE-12) with at least two full years of teaching experience by August 2024.
- Have a track record of success teaching students in traditional public or charter schools in Massachusetts.
- 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
Part 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 May 27th, 2024.
Part 2 – Interview
You will be notified by Tuesday, June 4th, 2024 if you have been invited to participate in an interview. Interviews will take place June 11-13, 2024 over Zoom.
Part 3 – Selection
You will be notified by mid-June 2024 if you have been selected to join the Massachusetts Policy Fellowship. If accepted, you will commit to attending a kick-off event in early August 2024.
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 Massachusetts Policy Fellowship teachers.
Teacher Voices
Op Eds
Closing the Education Gap for English-Language Learners
Massachusetts
•May. 18, 2015Op Eds
Reflections on the 2015 International Summit on the Teaching Profession
Massachusetts
•Apr. 21, 2015Op Eds
Encouraging all kids to make grade
Massachusetts
•Apr. 4, 2015Op Eds
PARCC will work
Massachusetts
•Mar. 24, 2015Op Eds
Sipe: Obituaries teach life’s lessons
Massachusetts
•Feb. 28, 2015