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.  You 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.

 Fellow Responsibilities SY 26-27

Fellows Commitments:
  • Will participate in all monthly fellows meetings unless sick/ emergency
  • Will attend both the DC Educator Organizing Summit October 24, 2026 and DC Teacher Solutions Summit March 27, 2027.
  • 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

Tuesday August 18- New Fellow Orientation- 5 to 8 pm- Open Gov Hub (1100 13th St. NW)
Saturday August 22nd- All Fellow Orientation!  In-Person at Monument Academy
Tuesday September 1st- In-Person in Columbia Heights
Tuesday October 6th- In-Person in Sumner School (ALL EmpowerEd Meeting)
Saturday October 24th- Educator Organizing Summit at St. Coletta
Tuesday November 10th- In-Person at Anacostia (second Tuesday because of election day)
Tuesday December 1st- Virtual Meeting
Tuesday January 5th- In-Person in Sumner School (ALL EmpowerEd Meeting)
Tuesday February 2nd- Virtual Meeting
Tuesday March 3rd- In-Person at Anacostia
Saturday March 27th- DC Teacher Solutions Summit
Tuesday April 7th-In-Person at Sumner School (ALL EmpowerEd Meeting)
Thursday May 4th- 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
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