What is the EmpowerEd Educator Wellness Advocacy Fellowship?
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EmpowerEd's Educator Wellness Advocacy Fellows will utilize their on-the-ground experience and work in schools to become leading advocates for behavioral health, mental health and wellness for DC students and educators alike. EmpowerEd Educator Fellows receive intensive training in policy, advocacy and organizing. Wellness Fellows will be deeply involved in our partnership with the DC Consortium on Mental and Behavioral Health in Schools (DC COMBS) and have the chance to interact with and share ideas with leading behavioral and mental health advocates, policy experts, practitioners and more through the fellowship. 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.
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Wellness Fellow Responsibilities SY 26-27
Fellows Commitments:
Saturday August 22nd- All Fellow Orientation! In-Person at Monument Academy
Thursday, September 3rd - Virtual SBBH Focus Group with DC COMBS
Wednesday, October 7th- Virtual Wellness Advocates Fellows Meeting
Saturday October 24th- In-Person Educator Organizing Summit at St. Coletta
Wednesday, November 11th- Virtual SBBH Focus Group with DC COMBS
Wednesday, December 2nd - In-person Holiday Wellness Gathering
Tuesday January 5th- In-Person in Sumner School (ALL EmpowerEd Meeting)
Wednesday, February 3rd- Virtual Wellness Advocates Fellows Meeting
Friday, March 4th - In-Person Focus Group with DC COMBS (at GW University)
Saturday March 27th - In-person 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 participate in all monthly fellows meetings and focus groups (co-organized with the DC Consortium for Mental and Behavioral Health in Schools, or DC COMBS) unless sick/ emergency
- Will attend both the DC Educator Organizing Summit October 24, 2026 and DC Teacher Solutions Summit March 27, 2027.
- Will submit written or give verbal testimony for at least one governmental hearing (SBOE, DC Council)
- Will attend at least one meeting with council members or other policy makers
- Will participate in at least two organizing capacity-building or policy-based trainings to gain knowledge on a content area of their choice
- Participate actively in Wellness Advocate Fellows WhatsApp group
- Will engage fellow educators- at their schools and in the district to recruit new wellness 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 and advocate
DATES
Saturday August 22nd- All Fellow Orientation! In-Person at Monument Academy
Thursday, September 3rd - Virtual SBBH Focus Group with DC COMBS
Wednesday, October 7th- Virtual Wellness Advocates Fellows Meeting
Saturday October 24th- In-Person Educator Organizing Summit at St. Coletta
Wednesday, November 11th- Virtual SBBH Focus Group with DC COMBS
Wednesday, December 2nd - In-person Holiday Wellness Gathering
Tuesday January 5th- In-Person in Sumner School (ALL EmpowerEd Meeting)
Wednesday, February 3rd- Virtual Wellness Advocates Fellows Meeting
Friday, March 4th - In-Person Focus Group with DC COMBS (at GW University)
Saturday March 27th - In-person 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 bimonthly wellness fellow meetings
- Will provide regular opportunities for wellness leadership, advocacy and community-building development
- Will provide a 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
- 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
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EmpowerEd Fellow Orientation 23-24
EmpowerEd Teachers Meet with DC Council Chairman Mendelson on Budget Priorities
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EmpowerEd Teachers Protest
"DC School Report Card" 
At the 2023 Teacher Voice Festival
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