Teach Plus

Teach Plus is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering experienced and diverse teachers to take leadership roles in policy and practice issues that impact student success and equity. Founded in 2007 by Celine Coggins, a former teacher, the organization started as a pilot program to address the need for authentic teacher leadership in transforming the education system. It was incubated at the Rennie Center for Education Research and Policy in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and became an independent 501(c)(3) organization in 2009.

The organization's business model is centered on developing teacher leaders through various programs, including policy fellowships and professional learning networks. Teach Plus trains educators on how policy is created and provides them with opportunities to influence change at local, state, and federal levels. The core services involve training, coaching, and supporting teachers to lead their peers in improving instructional strategies and to advocate for policy changes among lawmakers. This dual focus on practice and policy aims to bridge the gap between classrooms and policy-making arenas. The organization primarily serves excellent teachers in urban centers and high-need schools, with a significant percentage of students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Teach Plus operates in multiple states, including California, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Mississippi, and has grown a network of thousands of educators. The organization is funded through foundation grants, including significant support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Over the years, Teach Plus has had several leadership transitions, with Roberto Rodriguez serving as CEO for four years before joining the Biden Administration, and Kira Orange Jones taking the role in 2022.

Keywords: teacher leadership, education policy, professional development, advocacy, equity in education, teacher empowerment, instructional practice, education reform, non-profit, policy fellowships, student success, professional learning, teacher training, urban education, education system transformation, policy advocacy, classroom practice, K-12 education, teacher networks, educational equity