Teach Plus
@teachplus.bsky.social
We empower excellent, experienced, and diverse teachers to take leadership over key issues that advance equity, opportunity, and student success.
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Teach Plus
@teachplus.bsky.social
· Aug 18
Excellent Teachers Helping to Shape Policy and Practice
Teach Plus is dedicated to the mission of empowering excellent, experienced, and diverse teachers to take leadership over key policy and practice issues that advance equity, opportunity, and student…
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WATCH: A new short showcasing the power of Teach Plus teacher voice & leadership. “When teachers are empowered, students are empowered. When students are empowered, they have access to the tools to fulfill their dreams.” – Teach Plus CEO Kira Orange Jones
Teach Plus Pennsylvania alum and PA Teacher of the Year Leon Smith is focused on reimagining the teaching profession. He shares about the major role teacher leadership and collaboration play in changing teaching.
Read more:
Read more:
How To Support The World’s Teachers: A Global Playbook
TALIS 2024—the world’s largest study of teachers—delivers the world’s most comprehensive snapshot of teachers’ work.
www.forbes.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Teach Plus Pennsylvania alum and PA Teacher of the Year Leon Smith is focused on reimagining the teaching profession. He shares about the major role teacher leadership and collaboration play in changing teaching.
Read more:
Read more:
As Gov. Polis prepares to share the next state budget, Teach Plus CO Executive Director Jamita Horton highlights the importance of fully funding education so every student can participate in college and career pathways and achieve postsecondary success.
coloradonewsline.com/2025/11/07/p...
coloradonewsline.com/2025/11/07/p...
Gov. Polis should keep his promise to Colorado’s students | Colorado Newsline
As Gov. Jared Polis unveils his next state budget, his commitment to fully fund education carries real weight. We can’t afford to turn back.
coloradonewsline.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:17 PM
As Gov. Polis prepares to share the next state budget, Teach Plus CO Executive Director Jamita Horton highlights the importance of fully funding education so every student can participate in college and career pathways and achieve postsecondary success.
coloradonewsline.com/2025/11/07/p...
coloradonewsline.com/2025/11/07/p...
Looking for insights from fellow educators on how to improve chronic absenteeism with creative solutions?
Read this example from Teach Plus Arkansas Fellow Karyna Johnson who created out-of-school time music clubs for her students.
Read this example from Teach Plus Arkansas Fellow Karyna Johnson who created out-of-school time music clubs for her students.
Let’s make school a place kids want to be | Arkansas Advocate
Most importantly, Anthony and many other students started their days with joy, confidence, and a sense of belonging.
arkansasadvocate.com
November 10, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Looking for insights from fellow educators on how to improve chronic absenteeism with creative solutions?
Read this example from Teach Plus Arkansas Fellow Karyna Johnson who created out-of-school time music clubs for her students.
Read this example from Teach Plus Arkansas Fellow Karyna Johnson who created out-of-school time music clubs for her students.
Reposted by Teach Plus
Commentary: As Colorado Gov. Jared Polis unveils his next state budget, his commitment to fully fund education, including kindergarten, carries real weight. We can’t afford to turn back.
From Jamita Horton of @teachplus.bsky.social Colorado
From Jamita Horton of @teachplus.bsky.social Colorado
Gov. Polis should keep his promise to Colorado’s students | Colorado Newsline
As Gov. Jared Polis unveils his next state budget, his commitment to fully fund education carries real weight. We can’t afford to turn back.
coloradonewsline.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Commentary: As Colorado Gov. Jared Polis unveils his next state budget, his commitment to fully fund education, including kindergarten, carries real weight. We can’t afford to turn back.
From Jamita Horton of @teachplus.bsky.social Colorado
From Jamita Horton of @teachplus.bsky.social Colorado
Speaking alongside her legislators, Teach Plus MA Fellow Luisa Sparrow shared her students' literacy struggles.
“While my students were able to have discussions about the books I read aloud to them they weren't developing the skills to read independently.”
“While my students were able to have discussions about the books I read aloud to them they weren't developing the skills to read independently.”
Mass. House leaders, lamenting lagging reading scores, plan vote on literacy bill Wednesday - The Boston Globe
Massachusetts House leaders plan to pass a bill this week that that would require school curriculums and teacher training be aligned with evidence-based reading instruction.
www.bostonglobe.com
November 7, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Speaking alongside her legislators, Teach Plus MA Fellow Luisa Sparrow shared her students' literacy struggles.
“While my students were able to have discussions about the books I read aloud to them they weren't developing the skills to read independently.”
“While my students were able to have discussions about the books I read aloud to them they weren't developing the skills to read independently.”
+ AR: One op-ed, multiple platforms, real influence
+ CA: Giving students a stable literacy foundation
+ MI: Executive Director Ben Locke honored as changemaker
+ PA: Bringing policy ideas directly to policymakers
Explore this week’s Newsblast: cm.teachplus.org/t/r-E031C728...
+ CA: Giving students a stable literacy foundation
+ MI: Executive Director Ben Locke honored as changemaker
+ PA: Bringing policy ideas directly to policymakers
Explore this week’s Newsblast: cm.teachplus.org/t/r-E031C728...
November 7, 2025 at 3:33 PM
+ AR: One op-ed, multiple platforms, real influence
+ CA: Giving students a stable literacy foundation
+ MI: Executive Director Ben Locke honored as changemaker
+ PA: Bringing policy ideas directly to policymakers
Explore this week’s Newsblast: cm.teachplus.org/t/r-E031C728...
+ CA: Giving students a stable literacy foundation
+ MI: Executive Director Ben Locke honored as changemaker
+ PA: Bringing policy ideas directly to policymakers
Explore this week’s Newsblast: cm.teachplus.org/t/r-E031C728...
All over the country education leaders keep choosing to syphon off money for new staff, new programs, small classes and benefits rather than paying teachers more. Is that the right choice? And if not, is there anything policy might do to change it?
schooledbymikepetrilli.substack.com/p/should-sta...
schooledbymikepetrilli.substack.com/p/should-sta...
Should states invest new money in teacher compensation instead of school funding reform?
SCHOOLED | Tuesday, 11/4/25
schooledbymikepetrilli.substack.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:05 PM
All over the country education leaders keep choosing to syphon off money for new staff, new programs, small classes and benefits rather than paying teachers more. Is that the right choice? And if not, is there anything policy might do to change it?
schooledbymikepetrilli.substack.com/p/should-sta...
schooledbymikepetrilli.substack.com/p/should-sta...
Following a local tragedy, Teach Plus Pennsylvania Policy Fellow Kristen Peeples shares how Philadelphia can better invest in schools and communities.
Read more here: www.inquirer.com/opinion/comm...
Read more here: www.inquirer.com/opinion/comm...
City's derelict school buildings reflect abandonment of its neighborhoods | Opinion
City's derelict school buildings reflect the abandonment of its people.
www.inquirer.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Following a local tragedy, Teach Plus Pennsylvania Policy Fellow Kristen Peeples shares how Philadelphia can better invest in schools and communities.
Read more here: www.inquirer.com/opinion/comm...
Read more here: www.inquirer.com/opinion/comm...
California is determining how to screen multilingual TK students to determine who needs extra help.
Teach Plus California EBCAN alum Bernadette Zermeño emphasizes how important that step is: "Our multilingual geniuses, as I like to call them, need extra support."
Teach Plus California EBCAN alum Bernadette Zermeño emphasizes how important that step is: "Our multilingual geniuses, as I like to call them, need extra support."
California rethinks how to identify 4-year-olds who need extra help learning English
The challenge is that children at this age are still developing language skills. In the past, students would sometimes cry and put their heads down on the desk during tests.
edsource.org
November 5, 2025 at 10:53 PM
California is determining how to screen multilingual TK students to determine who needs extra help.
Teach Plus California EBCAN alum Bernadette Zermeño emphasizes how important that step is: "Our multilingual geniuses, as I like to call them, need extra support."
Teach Plus California EBCAN alum Bernadette Zermeño emphasizes how important that step is: "Our multilingual geniuses, as I like to call them, need extra support."
Teach Plus Indiana and Senior Writing Fellowship alumnus Ronak Shah has a long history of advocacy. He shares his approach to speaking at public meetings to tell policymakers how policy decisions impact students.
Read more: mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...
Read more: mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...
How three neighbors learned to speak up at public meetings
Get advice from a middle school teacher, the leader of a grassroots advocacy group and a neighbor who spent hours reading data.
mirrorindy.org
November 5, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Teach Plus Indiana and Senior Writing Fellowship alumnus Ronak Shah has a long history of advocacy. He shares his approach to speaking at public meetings to tell policymakers how policy decisions impact students.
Read more: mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...
Read more: mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...
Reposted by Teach Plus
"While elections come and go, advocates are the ones who stick around." -David Rosenberg (@teachplus.bsky.social)
On our newest podcast episode, policy and advocacy experts discuss how we can bridge #edprep and #PK12 to strengthen teaching and learning.
www.deansforimpact.org/10-years-of-...
On our newest podcast episode, policy and advocacy experts discuss how we can bridge #edprep and #PK12 to strengthen teaching and learning.
www.deansforimpact.org/10-years-of-...
November 4, 2025 at 5:05 PM
"While elections come and go, advocates are the ones who stick around." -David Rosenberg (@teachplus.bsky.social)
On our newest podcast episode, policy and advocacy experts discuss how we can bridge #edprep and #PK12 to strengthen teaching and learning.
www.deansforimpact.org/10-years-of-...
On our newest podcast episode, policy and advocacy experts discuss how we can bridge #edprep and #PK12 to strengthen teaching and learning.
www.deansforimpact.org/10-years-of-...
This month, we are honoring the accomplishments and contributions of Native American and Indigenous American educators—and those in the community who have nurtured students and families. #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth
November 3, 2025 at 5:15 PM
This month, we are honoring the accomplishments and contributions of Native American and Indigenous American educators—and those in the community who have nurtured students and families. #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth
Schools and communities need more partnerships between schools and industry professionals to encourage students' interests and future careers.
Insights via Teach Plus Colorado Fellow Colin Haverkamp:
Insights via Teach Plus Colorado Fellow Colin Haverkamp:
PERSPECTIVE: Fostering Colorado’s future scientists
Damian, one of my eighth-graders, left me a note on our digital bulletin board: “Science is my favorite class every year!” His classmate Amelia replied with “Me 2!!!” Damian is sure he’s headed for a…
www.denvergazette.com
October 31, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Schools and communities need more partnerships between schools and industry professionals to encourage students' interests and future careers.
Insights via Teach Plus Colorado Fellow Colin Haverkamp:
Insights via Teach Plus Colorado Fellow Colin Haverkamp:
"The data is clear: Breakfast clubs, music clubs, or any school-related extracurricular activities all create positive effects on school attendance."
In this week's Newsblast: Teach Plus Arkansas Fellow Karyna Johnson on improving attendance.
Read more:
cm.teachplus.org/t/r-3CC5ACFC...
In this week's Newsblast: Teach Plus Arkansas Fellow Karyna Johnson on improving attendance.
Read more:
cm.teachplus.org/t/r-3CC5ACFC...
October 31, 2025 at 1:13 PM
"The data is clear: Breakfast clubs, music clubs, or any school-related extracurricular activities all create positive effects on school attendance."
In this week's Newsblast: Teach Plus Arkansas Fellow Karyna Johnson on improving attendance.
Read more:
cm.teachplus.org/t/r-3CC5ACFC...
In this week's Newsblast: Teach Plus Arkansas Fellow Karyna Johnson on improving attendance.
Read more:
cm.teachplus.org/t/r-3CC5ACFC...
As AI evolves, teachers need to be at the table for creating guidelines around its use, Leading Edge Fellow Al Rabanera explains.
“I believe teachers know what’s best because they’re in front of the kids.”
Read more:
“I believe teachers know what’s best because they’re in front of the kids.”
Read more:
How School Districts Are Crafting AI Policy on the Fly
It's a struggle to create guidelines that keep up with rapid advances in the technology.
www.edweek.org
October 30, 2025 at 9:53 PM
As AI evolves, teachers need to be at the table for creating guidelines around its use, Leading Edge Fellow Al Rabanera explains.
“I believe teachers know what’s best because they’re in front of the kids.”
Read more:
“I believe teachers know what’s best because they’re in front of the kids.”
Read more:
Schools are starting to adopt play-based or playful learning, in which teachers guide students in playful activities designed to grow specific skills.
www.edweek.org/teaching-lea...
Read Teach Plus Illinois's work on the importance of play here: teachplus.org/resource/imp...
www.edweek.org/teaching-lea...
Read Teach Plus Illinois's work on the importance of play here: teachplus.org/resource/imp...
Play-Based Learning in Kindergarten Is Making a Comeback. Here's What It Means
Amid rigorous academic expectations in the early grades, some advocates push for a return to play.
www.edweek.org
October 30, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Schools are starting to adopt play-based or playful learning, in which teachers guide students in playful activities designed to grow specific skills.
www.edweek.org/teaching-lea...
Read Teach Plus Illinois's work on the importance of play here: teachplus.org/resource/imp...
www.edweek.org/teaching-lea...
Read Teach Plus Illinois's work on the importance of play here: teachplus.org/resource/imp...
Senior Writing Fellowship alumnus John Fredericks wants to hear about educators’ work-life balance as part of his Arizona State University PhD program. Will you complete a short survey? Questions? jmfrede@asu.edu
asu.questionpro.com/a/TakeSurvey...
asu.questionpro.com/a/TakeSurvey...
Balancing Act: A Survey of Teacher Work-Life Integration
Teacher Work-Life Balance Survey
asu.questionpro.com
October 29, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Senior Writing Fellowship alumnus John Fredericks wants to hear about educators’ work-life balance as part of his Arizona State University PhD program. Will you complete a short survey? Questions? jmfrede@asu.edu
asu.questionpro.com/a/TakeSurvey...
asu.questionpro.com/a/TakeSurvey...
Teach Plus Colorado Fellow Colin Haverkamp creates opportunities for students to learn directly from industry experts.
"When students work alongside professionals, they don’t just learn content—they start to see themselves as future scientists."
www.denvergazette.com/2025/10/20/p...
"When students work alongside professionals, they don’t just learn content—they start to see themselves as future scientists."
www.denvergazette.com/2025/10/20/p...
PERSPECTIVE: Fostering Colorado’s future scientists
Damian, one of my eighth-graders, left me a note on our digital bulletin board: “Science is my favorite class every year!” His classmate Amelia replied with “Me 2!!!” Damian is sure he’s headed for a ...
www.denvergazette.com
October 29, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Teach Plus Colorado Fellow Colin Haverkamp creates opportunities for students to learn directly from industry experts.
"When students work alongside professionals, they don’t just learn content—they start to see themselves as future scientists."
www.denvergazette.com/2025/10/20/p...
"When students work alongside professionals, they don’t just learn content—they start to see themselves as future scientists."
www.denvergazette.com/2025/10/20/p...
When it comes to reading, the nation's 3rd through 8th-graders are still mired in a pandemic-era slump, according to new data. In math, the news is only a little more heartening: Student achievement in those grades either held steady or improved slightly.
In reading, the nation's students are still stuck in a pandemic slump
New 2025 testing data shows third- through eighth-graders scored far below 2019 levels in reading. In math, some grades have made gains, but all are lagging compared to before the pandemic.
www.npr.org
October 27, 2025 at 9:53 PM
When it comes to reading, the nation's 3rd through 8th-graders are still mired in a pandemic-era slump, according to new data. In math, the news is only a little more heartening: Student achievement in those grades either held steady or improved slightly.
When it comes to AI in education, one very important question is, how can schools give students and staff guidance while remaining flexible as things change?
Leading Edge Fellow Al Rabanera shares why it's important for teachers to advise on AI guidance.
Leading Edge Fellow Al Rabanera shares why it's important for teachers to advise on AI guidance.
How School Districts Are Crafting AI Policy on the Fly
It's a struggle to create guidelines that keep up with rapid advances in the technology.
www.edweek.org
October 27, 2025 at 4:15 PM
When it comes to AI in education, one very important question is, how can schools give students and staff guidance while remaining flexible as things change?
Leading Edge Fellow Al Rabanera shares why it's important for teachers to advise on AI guidance.
Leading Edge Fellow Al Rabanera shares why it's important for teachers to advise on AI guidance.
Academic researchers are marshalling evidence for what high-quality SEL programs actually deliver for students. The latest study summarizes 12 years of evidence and finds that 30 different SEL programs tended to produce “moderate” academic benefits.
Some social emotional lessons improve how kids do at school, Yale study finds
Reading and math gains from soft skill instruction
hechingerreport.org
October 25, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Academic researchers are marshalling evidence for what high-quality SEL programs actually deliver for students. The latest study summarizes 12 years of evidence and finds that 30 different SEL programs tended to produce “moderate” academic benefits.
"Fulfilling IDEA’s promise often requires more than educators and resources; it demands innovative approaches that adapt to each student’s unique strengths, needs and interests," Leading Edge Fellow Heather Gauck writes. "That's where technology offers one answer."
Educator Voice: AI can help fulfill the promise of inclusion for students with disabilities
Heather Gauck, a special education teacher in Grand Rapids, Mich. shares how AI technology has helped her students
www.pbs.org
October 24, 2025 at 9:53 PM
"Fulfilling IDEA’s promise often requires more than educators and resources; it demands innovative approaches that adapt to each student’s unique strengths, needs and interests," Leading Edge Fellow Heather Gauck writes. "That's where technology offers one answer."
"When students work alongside industry role models, they don't just learn content—they start to see themselves as future scientists."
In this week’s Newsblast: Teach Plus Colorado Fellow Colin Haverkamp on the benefits of students shadowing experts.
Read more: cm.teachplus.org/t/r-69A7CEA9...
In this week’s Newsblast: Teach Plus Colorado Fellow Colin Haverkamp on the benefits of students shadowing experts.
Read more: cm.teachplus.org/t/r-69A7CEA9...
October 24, 2025 at 4:15 PM
"When students work alongside industry role models, they don't just learn content—they start to see themselves as future scientists."
In this week’s Newsblast: Teach Plus Colorado Fellow Colin Haverkamp on the benefits of students shadowing experts.
Read more: cm.teachplus.org/t/r-69A7CEA9...
In this week’s Newsblast: Teach Plus Colorado Fellow Colin Haverkamp on the benefits of students shadowing experts.
Read more: cm.teachplus.org/t/r-69A7CEA9...
As PA legislators work to solidify the budget, student teachers are left in the lurch, waiting for stipends.
“We can't afford to lose another generation of potential great teachers for the next generation of students,” Teach Plus Pennsylvania ED Laura Boyce said.
“We can't afford to lose another generation of potential great teachers for the next generation of students,” Teach Plus Pennsylvania ED Laura Boyce said.
With the state budget impasse delaying stipends, Pa. student teachers are squeezed
The student teacher stipend — launched with bipartisan support last year — is one of the student aid programs in limbo as the budget impasse nears the 110-day mark.
www.wesa.fm
October 23, 2025 at 9:53 PM
As PA legislators work to solidify the budget, student teachers are left in the lurch, waiting for stipends.
“We can't afford to lose another generation of potential great teachers for the next generation of students,” Teach Plus Pennsylvania ED Laura Boyce said.
“We can't afford to lose another generation of potential great teachers for the next generation of students,” Teach Plus Pennsylvania ED Laura Boyce said.
Connection and belonging are the keys to student learning, Teach Plus Massachusetts Policy Fellowship alumna Lisa Hanifan explains.
Educators, how do you cultivate belonging in your classroom?
Educators, how do you cultivate belonging in your classroom?
When students feel like they belong, they are ready to learn and grow
A Guest Blog by Lisa Hanifan On a non-uniform day, Ilyan did not wear his street clothes like his peers; instead he proudly entered the classroom wearing his thobe. He didn’t just arrive that day; …
thebelongingcollective.blog
October 23, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Connection and belonging are the keys to student learning, Teach Plus Massachusetts Policy Fellowship alumna Lisa Hanifan explains.
Educators, how do you cultivate belonging in your classroom?
Educators, how do you cultivate belonging in your classroom?