Training educators as leaders and advocates so teachers and students thrive in Michigan
The Michigan Teacher Leadership Collaborative is a highly selective leadership opportunity for outstanding Michigan teachers looking to share their expertise around equity-focused instructional practices, deepen their knowledge of education policy, and gain a voice in decisions that affect historically underserved students and the teaching profession.
The Education Trust-Midwest, a Michigan-based non-profit, nonpartisan research and policy organization that works to close opportunity gaps that disproportionately affect students of color and students from low-income families, launched the collaborative with Teach Plus, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering excellent, experienced and diverse teachers to take leadership over key policy and practice issues that advance equity, opportunity and student success.
What Collaborative educators do:
The Education Trust-Midwest and Teach Plus work together to connect Collaborative members with policymakers and provide opportunities to propose policy solutions, testify, and meet with decision-makers at the local and state levels.
Participants also have opportunities to network and share expertise with other equity-minded educators and receive training from The Education Trust-Midwest and Teach Plus in:
- Understanding education policy as a lever for student success
- Community organizing
- Writing op-eds and speaking with the media
- Conducting focus groups with fellow teachers
- Communicating their expertise with peers and broader audiences
- Providing public testimony
How does it work?
The Education Trust-Midwest and Teach Plus will recruit and select the Michigan Teacher Leadership Collaborative members from across the 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 Michigan. You will work in groups with fellow teachers to advocate on behalf of your students and have opportunities to share your expertise about equity-minded classroom practices with peers and at an MTLC-hosted conference.
Qualifications
The Education Trust-Midwest and Teach Plus seek a cohort of teachers who reflect the cultural, linguistic, and geographic diversity of our state. Apply to the Michigan Teacher Leadership Collaborative if you:
- Are a current teacher of record (PK-12) with at least two full years of teaching experience by June 2023.
- Have a track record of success teaching students in traditional public or public charter schools in Michigan.
- 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.
- Are interested in connecting with other equity-minded educators and sharing your instructional expertise with peers.
- Are available to attend an in-person retreat on Saturday, August 5th – Sunday, August 6th, 2023 in Lansing, MI. Attending the retreat is a requirement of the program. Lodging and food costs will be paid by the MTLC.
Members of the Collaborative have opportunities to:
- Expand their influence without leaving the classroom.
- Participate in training sessions, monthly virtual meetings, and smaller, issues-focused working groups.
- Engage in training through expert-led modules and direct engagement with key stakeholders.
- Receive a $2,500 stipend for their commitment.
Interested? Email Ben Locke at [email protected] or Mary Grech at [email protected]