Teach Plus

For your #MondayMotivation, Teach Plus Massachusetts Senior Fellow Donna Thayer teaches her students to be in community with each other as a key way to prepare them for success.

Read her op-ed here: www.pbs.org/newshour/cla...

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; …

After using AI for two years in his classroom, Leading Edge Fellow Al Rabanera realized: "AI hasn’t made my teaching less human—it’s deepened it, helping students see themselves as capable mathematicians."

Read more:

“I had a story; I had a voice. It’s very important for teachers to learn that legislative process and learn how to advocate.”

In this week’s Newsblast: Teach Plus Pennsylvania Fellowship alum Leon Smith on how Teach Plus launched his advocacy journey.

Read more: cm.teachplus.org/t/r-DD88B7DA...

The Critical Role States Play in English Learners’ Education States set guidance for schools working with English learners. That role is key now, experts say.

The degree to which state education agencies invest in English-learner programs and policies varies widely by state. States’ role in English learners’ education is even more pronounced as the needs of this growing population are de-prioritized federally.

Teach Plus Alumni Storytelling Workshop Join us for an alumni storytelling workshop on November 8, 1pm-5pm, in Bloomington Normal. This is your chance to turn your ideas into a finished product, whether it's an op-ed, journal article, podca...

Illinois educators: Join us for a @TeachPlusIL alumni storytelling workshop on Nov. 8 at 1 p.m. in Bloomington Normal. We'll help you develop a story aligned with local Teach Plus policy priorities into a finished product.

Space is limited. Sign up now:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

My Career Began on a Zoom Screen 5 Years Ago. I Still Fell in Love With Teaching (Opinion) Public education has become front-page news for all the wrong reasons. That’s not the whole story.

Teach Plus California Policy Fellowship alumna Alicia Simba started her teaching career during the pandemic school closures.

Five years later, she's a better, more committed teacher.

Read her story here:

Public school kids were already going missing. There's even more to come Between students gone missing, the choices some Black families and families in high-poverty districts are making and how many kids are being born, public school enrollment is dramatically decreasing.

The number of students who are not in school exploded in 2020 after Covid began, and many still aren’t back. The missing kids aren't in private schools or homeschooled. Many children are simply not enrolled anywhere, according an analysis of federal data.

Teacher leaders taking the lead. National Education News 

Looking for the latest news on educator practice, policy, advocacy and impact?

Read last week’s roundup – and sign up for this week’s:

Could AI prevent teacher burnout? Some educators are using AI to streamline lesson plans, personalize learning and reduce burnout, freeing up hours for themselves and their students.

“Ensuring teachers are at the table to help design and develop AI use is going to lead to better student outcomes and more student learning,” says Teach Plus CEO Kira Orange Jones.

Read how AI is changing teaching/learning for our teachers:

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; …

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?

AI Could Redefine Education — If Implemented Thoughtfully - Fullerton Observer As a high school math teacher, I’ve spent 21 years with alternative education students—many navigating poverty, trauma, or systemic barriers—who have often felt pushed to the margins.

When used thoughtfully in the classroom, AI can deepen relationships and connections.

Read more from Leading Edge Fellow Al Rabanera on how he harnesses the technology:

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… Excellent Teachers Helping to Shape Policy and Practice

WATCH: A short film 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 Alumni Storytelling Workshop Join us for an alumni storytelling workshop on November 8, 1pm-5pm, in Bloomington Normal. This is your chance to turn your ideas into a finished product, whether it's an op-ed, journal article,…

Illinois educators: Join us for a Teach Plus Illinois alumni storytelling workshop on Nov. 8 at 1 p.m. in Bloomington Normal. We'll help you develop a story aligned with local Teach Plus policy priorities and turn your ideas into a finished product.

Learn more:

How AI helped me fall in love with teaching again | Opinion I rediscovered the joy of teaching, and not in the way you might expect.

Here’s how one teacher uses AI tools in her classroom to save time and rediscover her love for teaching.

Insights via Leading Edge Fellow Jaycie Homer:

+ CA: Incoming and outgoing Policy Fellowship cohorts
+ MA: Cultivating belonging
+ Leading Edge: AI giving California teachers perspective
+ Nationwide: Teach Plus teacher leaders and staff at conferences

Explore this week’s Newsblast: cm.teachplus.org/t/r-F717EE07...

Sharpening Students’ Communication Skills With Moot Court Get ready to turn your students into justices, advocates, and informed citizens as they navigate real court cases.

Teach Plus California alumnus Spencer Burrows uses moot court as a way to spark critical thinking, elevate student voice, and turn the classroom courtroom into an exploration of current events.

Read how you can adapt this activity for your students:

Educator Voice: How I teach students to work in community Hear from one educator on ways to work with students — and their parents — to develop the skills needed to work with others

Preparing students for success includes teaching them to be in community, Teach Plus Massachusetts Policy Fellow Donna Thayer writes.

"No matter what subject I am teaching, my instruction needs to include collaboration, critical thinking, communication and creativity."

Literacy is a right, not a privilege. National Education News 

Looking for the latest news on educator practice, policy, advocacy and impact?

Read last week’s roundup – and sign up for this week’s:

How Educators Are Boosting Outcomes for English Learners Amid Challenges Explore how schools and states are trying to support English learners with programs, literacy strategies, and teacher training.

Research shows schools often struggle to meet English learners' needs. This new EdWeek report examines how dual language immersion programs can boost outcomes and how literacy instruction tailored to English learners benefits all students.

America is in a literacy crisis. Is AI the solution or part of the problem? | CNN Business Reading levels dropped to historic lows during the pandemic. Now parents, teachers and tech companies are hoping AI can help solve America’s literacy crisis.

Parents, educators, and community groups are trying AI-powered literacy tutors that listen as children read and correct mistakes in real time. AI has shown some promise, but researchers say the technology can’t singlehandedly improve reading levels.

Teach Plus Alumni Storytelling Workshop Join us for an alumni storytelling workshop on November 8, 1pm-5pm, in Bloomington Normal. This is your chance to turn your ideas into a finished product, whether it's an op-ed, journal article,…

Join us for an alumni storytelling workshop on Nov. 8 at 1 p.m. in Bloomington Normal. Turn your ideas into a finished product: op-ed, podcast, or video. We'll help you develop a story aligned with local Teach Plus policy priorities.

Learn more:

How AI helped me fall in love with teaching again | Opinion I rediscovered the joy of teaching, and not in the way you might expect.

When used with intention, AI can absorb some of the tasks of teaching and allow teachers to rediscover the joy in connecting with students and helping them reach their full potential.

Read Leading Edge Fellow Jaycie Homer's experience here:

How AI in My Classroom Has Helped Me Create Lightbulb Moments for My Students Teacher's View: Using artificial intelligence frees me up to design learning experiences rooted in my students’ interests, passions and goals.

The time Leading Edge Fellow Al Rabanera saves using AI allows him to "make room for teaching that affirms his students' identities and strengths, building their confidence step by step in their daily learning."

Read his insights @the74.bsky.social:

Let's Talk Local Podcast | Every Child, Every Opportunity: Dallas Education Collective Every child deserves access to a world-class education — but for far too many in Dallas, that dream still feels out of reach. Roughly 144,000 economically disadvantaged students live within DISD…

At Teach Plus, we're working to ensure every student has an opportunity to succeed and thrive.

Teach Plus TX Executive Director Kevin Malonson shares his "why."

Study: Students’ Math Decline Dovetails With Math Wars, Teacher Pipeline Issues CRPE researchers also cite grade inflation and lack of transparency in reporting student scores, while arguing these drawbacks can be remedied.

The ongoing math wars plus persistent teacher pipeline issues are among the most powerful forces behind students’ longstanding poor performance in the subject, a new study finds.

“California must acknowledge that literacy is a right, not a privilege, and that every student deserves the resources to achieve it.”

In this week’s Newsblast: Teach Plus California Fellow Maria Aguilera on students' right to literacy.

Learn more and subscribe: cm.teachplus.org/t/r-8AD8A09D...

A window into America’s high schools slams shut - The Hechinger Report This story was reported by and originally published by APM Reports in connection with its podcast Sold a Story: How Teach Kids to Read Went So Wrong. The choices you make as a teenager can shape the…

The federal government canceled the high school longitudinal studies, which gathered data on students through their first decade as adults. Thousands of journal articles, reports, etc. have relied on this data to form conclusions about American education.

How AI in My Classroom Has Helped Me Create Lightbulb Moments for My Students Teacher's View: Using artificial intelligence frees me up to design learning experiences rooted in my students’ interests, passions and goals.

AI is helping educators like Leading Edge Fellow Al Rabanera create aha moments for his students. "What could have been a theoretical algebra exercise became a moment of connection. It showed me that AI has the power to make the intangible tangible."

Educator Voice: How I teach students to work in community Hear from one educator on ways to work with students — and their parents — to develop the skills needed to work with others

Part of preparing students for success is teaching them to be in community, Teach Plus Massachusetts Fellow Donna Thayer writes.

"Partnering with parents to help our kids develop community readiness skills means my class is better positioned to succeed as learners."

Teacher leadership as a lever for change. National Education News 

Looking for the latest news on educator practice, policy, advocacy and impact?

Read last week’s roundup – and sign up for this week’s: