Teach Plus Illinois

This Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we are celebrating all our catalytic Asian American and Pacific Islander educators and the many ways they empower their students and honor their history and culture.

It’s National School Principal Day! Administrators who embody distributed leadership practices have an increased impact on student outcomes and create space for authentic teacher leadership. Today, we recognize W. Terrell Burgess of George Westinghouse College Prep!

It’s National School Principal Day! Administrators who embody distributed leadership practices have an increased impact on student outcomes and create space for authentic teacher leadership. Today, we recognize Zarree Walker, Principal of Crown Community Academy of Fine Arts!

It’s National School Principal Day! Administrators who embody distributed leadership practices have an increased impact on student outcomes and create space for authentic teacher leadership. Today, we recognize Dr. Marlena Little, Principal of King Academy of Social Justice.

It’s National School Principal Day! Administrators who embody distributed leadership practices have an increased impact on student outcomes and create space for authentic teacher leadership. Today, we recognize Kyera Bradley, Principal of Lawndale Community Academy!

Deadlines Extended! , there’s still time to submit your application for one of our four teacher leadership opportunities! The application deadlines for the Illinois Policy Fellowship, Early Childhood Educator Policy Fellowship, and Chicago Change Agent program have been extended by an additional two weeks.

Visit our website and apply today!
https://teachplus.org/il/

Join us for a virtual gathering of like-minded BIPOC educators tomorrow! Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSccanfM9KRUKIQyk36W_FT2DIsGlw8w3vtjYg__sD2ZyVyJ1w/viewform

MTI prioritizes scholarships for candidates with the highest demonstrated financial need. , please commit to investing at least $8M in MTI funding to help ensure affordability isn’t a barrier for aspiring teachers.

In 2023, about 61,000 students in Illinois didn’t have a fully certified teacher. Black & Latinx students are more likely to be in a classroom without a fully certified teacher. , please commit to maintaining MTI at $8M.

Teacher diversity matters! , please commit to maintaining MTI at $8M.

Don’t forget to sign up for our upcoming LGBTQ+ BIPOC affinity group meeting on Thursday, February 15!

Virtual LGBTQ+ BiPOC Affinity Group Registration The Illinois Affinity Group Network seeks to cultivate authentic, inclusive, intersectional spaces, shaped by and for educators of color. These affirming and supportive spaces, rooted in an asset-based understanding of diversity, will support educators in navigating and improving their school enviro...

Applications for all 4 of our Teach Plus Illinois programs are officially open! Illinois teachers with an interest in policy and/or advocacy work are encouraged to apply. All participants receive a stipend upon completion of their selected program. Learn more: https://teachplus.org/il

OPINION: Recognizing and honoring the unique gifts of my students “You make me feel at home,” read a little post-it note, placed right at the center of the whiteboard in my classroom. I knew that for Elena, one of the English language learners in my 3rd grade classroom, home meant more than a roof over her head; it transcended borders between the United States...

Interested in joining a LGBTQ+ BIPOC affinity space? Our first virtual gathering is on Thursday, January 18th, 2024 at 5:30pm. Sign up using this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSccanfM9KRUKIQyk36W_FT2DIsGlw8w3vtjYg__sD2ZyVyJ1w/viewform?pli=1

Virtual LGBTQ+ BiPOC Affinity Group Registration The Illinois Affinity Group Network seeks to cultivate authentic, inclusive, intersectional spaces, shaped by and for educators of color. These affirming and supportive spaces, rooted in an asset-based understanding of diversity, will support educators in navigating and improving their school enviro...

NEW Virtual LGBTQ+ Affinity Group for Educators of Color
January 18th @ 5:30pm-6:30pm
Sign up here:

Virtual LGBTQ+ BiPOC Affinity Group Registration The Illinois Affinity Group Network seeks to cultivate authentic, inclusive, intersectional spaces, shaped by and for educators of color. These affirming and supportive spaces, rooted in an asset-based understanding of diversity, will support educators in navigating and improving their school enviro...

Happy Latino Heritage Month, Teach Plus Illinois family! This month we elevate the voices of our Latino/a/x teacher leaders and leadership making the difference in our classrooms and schools.
Meet Dr. Melina Lesus, 2023-24 Change Agent, who shares her celebration and appreciation as a Latina educator and mentor. Please help us in Teach Plus celebrate her and the many others who proudly share their Latino/a/x heritage with their students!

With great joy, we'd like to introduce our newest Chicago Change Agents who will be leading change in their schools for the 2023-24 school year. Help us welcome and congratulate cohort 7 of Chicago Change Agent in Teach Plus Illinois!

National Board First Time Candidate Fee Subsidy

The National Board Resource Center (NBRC) at Illinois State University invites state educators and school counselors to take advantage of first-time applicant funding. Funds will cover the cost of components while pursuing National Board Certification. In addition, NBRC offers support options throughout the process.

Current Illinois full-time educators and school counselors who teach in a public school and who have not previously taken advantage of the first-time state subsidy are eligible to apply. The subsidy application is available through Oct. 11.

For more information and to apply for the subsidy, visit the NBRC website: https://tinyurl.com/yyfuwpp2

"It’s so important for teachers to know how their schools are teaching reading, and ask whether we’re taking advantage of the new resources to make a difference for students," IL Policy Fellowship Alumna Marielena Gozur writes about embracing .

“In Illinois, we are serious about our commitment to bolstering a diverse educator pipeline. We have state-supported affinity groups for teachers of color and statewide access to virtual mentoring and instructional coaching for all educators. We have full-tuition scholarships for students of color and bilingual students looking to join the profession. We have programs to help diverse educators gain access to administrative roles."

Written by Illinois State Superintendent of Education, Dr. Tony Sanders.

Open Invitation to Florida and Texas Teachers: Come to Illinois. We Trust You Sanders: Some states have become hostile to teachers' autonomy & rights and the very mission of education. Illinois protects them, and we’re hiring.

"We kind of planted the idea for this Racism Free Schools Act — although it wasn't called that then. We were just thinking of ways to retain and recruit teachers of color," Teach Plus Illinois TPF Alum Brandon Thornton said in his interview with WGLT. "And ... now it's on the governor's desk."

Read the full article here: https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2023-07-21/does-your-school-have-a-racial-harassment-policy-a-new-law-requires-one-on-the-books-by-2024