Apply to be a 2025-2026 Fellow!

What is the EmpowerEd Educator Organizing Fellowship?

EmpowerEd's Educator Fellows work to address pressing issues in DC education. EmpowerEd Educator Fellows receive intensive training in policy, advocacy and organizing and play the central role in determining what issues EmpowerEd takes on in advocating for change in DC's education system.  Yo can apply for the role that fits you best.  As a fellow you will have the invaluable opportunity to build connections across the city, across schools and across differences to build educator-led campaigns that center educator-informed solutions. As an EmpowerEd fellow, you aren't just learning, you're doing.  You're not just advising, you're leading. Our fellows ARE EmpowerEd. Our work is your work. Through this experience you will form lasting relationships and gain skills that make you a better educator and a better advocate for your students, for your fellow educators, for yourself and for the community we all share.

Explore Issues Our fellows work on!

Fellow Responsibilities

Fellows Commitments:

• Will participate in all monthly fellows meetings unless sick/ emergency
  
• Will attend both the DC Educator Organizing Summit November 8th and DC Teacher Solutions Summit March 7th
  
• Will attend at least two meetings with council-members during budget advocacy 
  
• Will participate in at least 2 organizing capacity building trainings
  
• Will participate in at least 2 policy-based trainings to gain knowledge on a content area of their choice
  
• Participate actively in Fellows WhatsApp group
  
• Will engage fellow educators- at their schools and in the district to recruit new teacher leaders into EmpowerEd network
  
• Will publicize EmpowerEd events in their school community/networks
  
• Will Stretch yourself by learning new skills and taking informed risks to grow as a leader
  
  DATES
  
  

Saturday August 23rd- All Fellow Orientation!  In-Person at Monument or 
Tuesday September 2nd- In-Person in Anacostia 
Tuesday October 7th- In-Person in Columbia Heights
Tuesday November 4th- In-Person at Sumner School
Saturday November 8th- DC Teacher Organizing Summit!
Tuesday December 2nd- Virtual
Tuesday January 6th- In-Person in Anacostia
Tuesday February 3rd- Virtual
Tuesday March 3rd- In-Person at Open Gov Hub
Saturday March 7th- DC Teacher Solutions Summit
Tuesday April 7th- Virtual
Thursday May 7th- Happy Hour- invite a prospective new fellow

EmpowerEd Staff Commitments:

• Will convene and cater monthly fellow meetings
  
• Will provide regular opportunities for both advocacy/action and community-building
  
• Will provide monthly newsletter with relevant information and dates to mark
  
• Will capacity-build fellows in campaign design and execution
  
• Will fulfill research needs for budget actions, etc
  
• Will provide opportunities for fellows to interface with policymakers and elected leaders
  

Optional:

• For all: participate in Fair Budget Coalition Education Issue Group meetings and Fair Budget Coalition actions to get involved on advocacy beyond education issues on the DC Budget
  
• For all: participate in Defend DC education activism (to defend DC and our education system against current federal threats)
  
• For Latina/o Educators: Participate in Latina/o Educator Story Lounge
  
• For Black Educators: Participation in Rest and Rise Black Educator Social Group and Black Educator Story Lounge
  
• Attend professional development of your choice for leadership development
  

Fellows present at the 2025 DC Teacher Solutions Summit

EmpowerEd Fellows Persuading DCPS Chancellor

EmpowerEd Fellow Orientation 23-24

EmpowerEd Teachers Meet with DC Council Chairman Mendelson on Budget Priorities

EmpowerEd Teachers Protest
​"DC School Report Card"

At the 2023 Teacher Voice Festival