Meet the 2022-23 Teacher Leadership Fellows

Justine Marie Aquino

Austin Achieve Middle School
6th Grade Math Teacher

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Hannah Miller

Del Valle High School
Geometry Teacher

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Gracie Brumsickle

Dawson Elementary
Elementary Special Education Teacher

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About the Teacher Leadership Fellowship

Teach for America (TFA) Austin seeks to build a coalition of diverse, equity-minded educators who are passionate about reimaging education and what is possible for our students here in Austin. To support this work, Teach For America is excited to launch the inaugural Teacher Leadership Fellowship in the summer of 2022. 

The Teacher Leadership Fellowship (TLF) is designed to support Teach For America alumni dedicated to sharpening their craft and continuing their journey of becoming effective, equity-focused educators.  

The TLF will continue to develop teachers’ leadership skills in their classroom and school communities by  providing fellows the opportunity to engage in meaningful, high-impact professional development, ongoing coaching and support, and additional learning opportunities aligned with strengthening their skills in delivering a student-centered, equitable, twenty-first century learning experience for ALL students. The program will run from August of 2022-April of 2023.

Workshops

Using Transcend’s Frameworks, Teach For America Austin developed a customized series of “spark workshops” that give educators the opportunity to come together virtually and in-person to explore, connect, interrogate, and dream about what is possible for students in Austin.  

These workshops are designed to inspire participants to join a growing coalition of community members as part of our greater collective leadership efforts toward creating 21st Century learning opportunities for all students in Austin. 

Throughout the Teacher Leadership Fellowship participants will:

  • Explore the Science of Learning and Development and how to redesign learning experiences that are equitable for all students
  • Attend school inspiration visits in Austin to see different learning environments 
  • Engage in individualized, one-on-one coaching with a member of TFA Austin
  • Create a culminating showcase which highlights learnings from the fellowship and the impact in their own classroom

Participants

The Teacher Leadership Fellowship is open to all Teach For America Alumni who are in their 3rd-4th years of teaching.  The 22-23 cohort will include 5 teachers who are currently teaching PK-12 (including special education) in a public school in Austin/East Travis County. Participants may be teaching in a charter or traditional public school. 

Throughout the fellowship year, participants meet in workshops, engage in individualized coaching, and collaborate with their peers. To get the most out of the series and learn from others, participants are expected to attend all four Wednesday workshops (including the full-day school visit). Participants will also be expected to participate in the coaching sessions, and a culminating Showcase, in which they are able to highlight the impact the fellowship has had on their classroom. 

The TLF is an inspiring and rigorous leadership program. We understand that teachers are extremely busy and your time is precious. We are committed to ensuring the work is both manageable and meaningful. We anticipate cohort members spending 1-2 hours a month, in preparation for that month’s workshop or coaching cycle.

Program Costs

Thanks to our generous partners, the Teacher Leadership Fellowship is FREE of charge for all participants. Additionally, Teach For America Austin, will provide meals credit for each participant for each workshop throughout the program. Participants will also receive a $1500 stipend for completing the Fellowship, and an additional $500 for committing to return to their school for the 23-24 school year. 

Learn More!

Register for our webinar on May 25th to learn more about the Teacher Leadership Fellowship.

Questions? Email Nicole Seltman

Key Dates

  • Application Opens 5/4
  • Application Deadline 6/6 at 11:59pm
  • Participant Notification 6/20
  • TLF Cohort Kick-Off 8/13
  • TLF  Workshops
    • Wednesday, 9/21 (after-school)
    • Tuesday, 11/15 (full day school visits)
    • Wednesday, 12/7 (after-school)
    • Wednesday, 2/22 (after-school)
    • End of Fellowship Showcase April 7th and/or 14th
  • On-going Coaching Cycles
    • October
    • January
    • March
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