Op Eds
Frank: We Don’t Teach to the Test, We Teach History Above It; Measure That
Texas
•May. 16, 2023Teach Plus Texas Policy Fellowship
Training teachers as advocates to ensure that teachers and students thrive in Texas.
Teachers from across Texas:
You are invited to apply for the Teach Plus Texas Policy Fellowship, a highly selective leadership opportunity for outstanding Texas teachers looking to deepen their knowledge of education policy and gain a voice in decisions that affect their students and the teaching profession.
What is the Teach Plus Texas Policy Fellowship?
- Fellows expand their influence without leaving the classroom, starting in July 2024 and concluding in June 2025, with an option to stay on for a second program year.
- Fellows participate in two in-person training sessions, monthly virtual meetings, and smaller issues-focused working groups.
- 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?
You receive training from Teach Plus in: understanding education policy as a lever for student success, community organizing, writing op-eds, speaking to the media, conducting focus groups with fellow teachers, providing public testimony, and more. Teach Plus connects you with policy makers and opportunities to propose policy solutions, testify, write op-eds, and meet with decision-makers at the local and state levels.
How Does It Work?
Teach Plus recruits and selects Policy Fellows from across the Lone Star State to participate in this cohort experience. You will become part of a larger movement of teacher leadership and help mobilize your peers around top issues impacting equity for students and the teaching profession in Texas. Fellows work in groups to advocate on behalf of students on issues such as equitable funding, social-emotional learning, pandemic response, recruiting and retaining teachers of color, and more.
Our Teach Plus Texas Policy Fellows have:
- Testified at the Texas Legislature and met with state policymakers.
- Conducted research, including the use of surveys and focus groups.
- Successfully advocated for policy changes related to the instructional materials review and approval process, and more robust tutoring and academic support.
- Wrote op-eds that were published in such media outlets as Austin American-Statesman, Fort Worth Star-Tribune, San Antonio Express-News, and The Dallas Morning News.
- Published policy briefs about teacher vacancies, supporting and retaining teachers of color, and mental health.
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 Texas Policy Fellowship teachers.
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