About Teach plus
Teach Plus: Empowering Teacher Leaders to Create an Equitable Education System
Teach Plus is a non-profit organization that aims to improve the quality of education in America by empowering teacher leaders. The organization was founded in 2009 by Celine Coggins, a former classroom teacher who saw the need for teachers to have a greater voice in education policy and practice.
The mission of Teach Plus is to create an equitable education system for all students, regardless of their background or zip code. The organization believes that teachers are key players in achieving this goal, as they are on the front lines of educating our children every day.
To achieve its mission, Teach Plus provides professional development and leadership opportunities for teachers across the country. The organization's programs include:
1. Teaching Policy Fellowship: This program provides selected teachers with training and support to become advocates for policies that improve student outcomes.
2. T3 Initiative: This program focuses on recruiting and retaining effective teachers in high-need schools.
3. Teacher-Led Professional Learning: This program empowers teacher leaders to design and facilitate professional development sessions for their colleagues.
4. EdTPA Support Program: This program helps aspiring teachers prepare for the edTPA assessment required for licensure in many states.
Through these programs, Teach Plus has trained thousands of teacher leaders who are making a difference in their classrooms, schools, districts, and states.
One example is Sarah Johnson, a 5th-grade math teacher from Indianapolis who participated in Teach Plus' Teaching Policy Fellowship program. Sarah used her newfound knowledge about education policy to advocate for changes at her school district level that would benefit her students and colleagues. She also became more involved with her state's policymaking process by testifying before legislative committees on issues related to education funding and accountability.
Another example is Juanita Rodriguez-Garcia, a bilingual kindergarten teacher from Chicago who participated in Teach Plus' T3 Initiative program. Juanita was able to stay at her school despite budget cuts because she had received training through T3 on how to effectively teach English language learners (ELLs). She also became an advocate for ELLs at her school district level by sharing best practices with other educators.
Teach Plus has received numerous accolades over the years for its work empowering teacher leaders:
- In 2016, Forbes named Teach Plus one of America's Top 50 Charities.
- In 2017, Fast Company named Teach Plus one of the World's Most Innovative Companies.
- In 2018, EdTech Digest named Teach Plus one of its Cool Tool Award winners.
- In 2020, Inside Philanthropy named Celine Coggins one of its Philanthropy Innovators Under 40.
In conclusion,
Teach plus is doing great work towards creating an equitable educational system where every student gets equal opportunities regardless of their background or zip code; it empowers thousands of educators across America through various programs like teaching policy fellowship initiative which trains selected individuals with skills necessary advocacy policies aimed at improving student outcomes; t3 initiative which focuses on recruiting effective educators into high-needs schools among others mentioned above; it has been recognized globally as innovative companies working towards bettering society through philanthropic activities aimed at improving lives positively while providing unique solutions tailored specifically towards solving problems faced daily within communities they serve!
teachplus.org
