Teach Plus

In this season of gratitude, we're thankful for the teacher leaders who are working to improve opportunities and outcomes for students.

It’s been a little while since I’ve shared an update, but the school year is well underway and off to a fantastic start. Every day, I’m grateful for the wonderful students who make teaching so meaningful and joyful. I’m also thankful for the opportunity to continue my work with Teach Plus Pennsylvania, focusing on solutions to the ongoing teacher shortage in our state. Last week, I had the honor of serving on a panel at the PA Needs Teachers Summit, centered around the theme Reimagining the Teacher Role. It was a powerful gathering of people committed to strengthening the educator pipeline and rethinking what it means to teach in Pennsylvania today. I was fortunate to share that space with thought leaders like Ed Fuller and Richard Ingersoll, whose research continues to shape this work. I’m deeply appreciative of the thoughtful leadership of Laura Boyce and Emily Sagor (Hoxie), whose coordination and support make collaborations like this possible. The summit itself highlighted the strong partnership between Teach Plus Pennsylvania and National Center on Education and the Economy, working together to advance this shared vision in meaningful ways. I was thrilled to see so many members of our Teach Plus fellowship team serving as table facilitators throughout the day—their voices and passion truly elevated the conversations. A special shout-out to my fellow senior fellows, Christine Persun and Dr. Ciminy St. Clair, who co-lead this incredible group with me. Their leadership and dedication continue to inspire our work. I also appreciated the chance to connect with professionals across sectors, including insightful conversations with Cheryl Leatherbarrow, Leon Smith and Eric Levis. These relationships are what move this work forward. As we head into Thanksgiving, I’m filled with gratitude for the educators, researchers, policymakers, and partners who are committed to ensuring that every child in Pennsylvania has access to excellent, well-supported teachers—and to reimagining the teacher role in ways that honor the complexity, expertise, and humanity of this profession. With gratitude—and optimism—for the work ahead. 🙏🧡

We're thankful for the opportunity to share about our work in California at an upcoming state summit hosted by an incredible network acting together to ensure the robust, sustainable, well-trained and well-supported workforce that students deserve!

Thanks for sharing your powerful teacher voice, Nina.

“I have an impact on children that they can carry with them the rest of their lives. Let’s value Pennsylvania’s early childhood educators and the children in their care whose bright futures await.” In this week’s Newsblast: Teach Plus Pennsylvania Senior Policy Fellow Kyle Bender on the need to value early childhood educators. Learn more and subscribe: https://lnkd.in/er2BJvTZ

A new report from Teach Plus Mississippi, "Moving From Data To Action: Recommendations From Teach Plus Mississippi Policy Fellows" outlines how connecting fragmented data across pre-K-12, higher education, and workforce systems can help Mississippi meet and succeed our postsecondary success goal. “We have the infrastructure for a powerful data system—we just need to make it work for the people who need it most. Teachers, administrators, students, and families all deserve access to clear, connected data that can answer critical questions about which pathways lead to good jobs and how well our schools are preparing students for what comes next. This isn’t just about hitting a statewide goal—it’s about giving every student in the Magnolia State the information they need to find and pursue the career pathway that matches their skills and aspirations,” said Sanford Johnson, Teach Plus Mississippi Executive Director. Read it here:  https://lnkd.in/erGST4_f