Colorado Charter Teacher Advocacy Manager

What We Do

Teach Plus is a national nonprofit whose mission is to empower excellent, experienced, and diverse teachers to take leadership over key policy and practice issues that advance equity, opportunity, and student access. The Teach Plus team exists to breathe life into the Student Opportunity Mandate: All students should have the opportunity to achieve their potential in an education system defined by its commitment to equity, responsiveness to individual needs, and ability to prepare students for postsecondary success. At the heart of our work is advocacy for collective impact, beginning with classroom teachers.

At Teach Plus, we believe in equity-driven teacher leadership. When we invest in developing our most talented teachers into teacher leaders who are well-informed, persuasive, and prepared to lead, they have deep leverage in advancing equity for students, especially for students of color, low-income students, and those from underserved communities. To close the opportunity gap and to ensure equitable access to a world-class education for all students in the schools and communities we serve, we ignite systems change at multiple levels through our Policy Fellowship and Instructional Leadership programs designed to inspire and equip teachers. We are committed to leading change in our Equity Focus Areas.

What You’ll Do

Reporting to the Colorado Executive Director, you will manage the Charter Teacher Advocacy Fellowship, which prepares high-potential, highly effective charter teachers to become leaders of their peers and trusted partners for decision-makers and media. You will support teachers in their development as equity advocates and leaders. As a credible broker between teachers and policymakers, you will leverage partnerships to lay the groundwork for teacher voice and create opportunities for teacher leaders to influence critical issues. You will also support other teacher policy work across the state, support local advocacy campaigns, and build partnerships and relationships in Colorado. The Charter Teacher Advocacy Manager will be responsible for the following:

Program Management

• In partnership with the Colorado Executive Director, manage the Charter Teacher Advocacy Fellowship by designing and delivering program content and coordinating logistics of monthly training sessions and twice-yearly retreats (including assigned readings, lectures, guest speakers, group discussions, and project management of working groups).
• Oversee and support senior fellows to manage and facilitate working groups of fellows in developing and implementing policy advocacy and impact efforts.
• Participate in the recruitment and selection process to ensure a high quality and diverse applicant pool for Charter Teacher Advocacy Fellowships, including targeted outreach activities through multiple media across the state, in-person and virtual presentations, webinars, etc.
• Conduct internal evaluations and surveys that track the progress and impact of our policy programs, maintaining accurate and timely data in the Salesforce database for ongoing accountability reports, and providing updated content for the Colorado pages of the website.

Ongoing Teacher Leader Support

• Coach and develop Advocacy Fellows as change agents and equity advocates, ensuring they are equipped to understand and make the case for change, design and implement plans for change, work to dismantle barriers to equity, and facilitate conversations that influence stakeholders and advance equity.
• Plan and facilitate senior fellow meetings and meet monthly with each senior fellow to support their continuous growth in supporting and developing Advocacy Fellows, planning for working group meetings, debriefing previous meetings, and engaging in culturally proficient leadership coaching and feedback.

Policy & Outreach

The Charter Teacher Advocacy Manager will collaborate with the Colorado Executive Director on the Teach Plus policy strategy and leverage relationships that enable teachers to have an impact on critical policy issues by:

• In partnership with the Colorado Executive Director, maintain relationships with policymakers, district leaders, and education organizations in Denver and across the state.
• Develop strong relationships with Charter Teach Plus Advocacy Fellows, serving as their talent agent, providing them with opportunities to lead and advocate for equity for their students locally and in the state Capitol, and be recognized for their excellence through awards and other honors.
• Train and coach teachers to be advocates and community organizers on issues of importance to their students and provide them with the tools and support to be successful as they conduct advocacy efforts to enact policy change, including providing strategic policy advice, research, training, and input to teachers as they write op-eds, meet with policymakers, testify, and participate in community organizing efforts at the local, state, and national levels.
• Collaborate with national staff to engage teachers in national/federal advocacy work.
• Support the Colorado Executive Director in identifying, developing, and maintaining funder relationships.

Who You Are

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• Significant experience in policy, advocacy, and/or community organizing, especially within the Colorado state agencies and Legislature.
• Experience in the Colorado charter sector with a strong understanding of the Colorado charter landscape.
• A passionate commitment to advancing equity and improving public education, including supporting outstanding and diverse teachers to contribute to the success of all students.
• Strong project management skills and the ability to complete projects independently.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, relationship-building, and interpersonal skills.
• Adult facilitation and coaching skills with the ability to mobilize a group to enact change.
• Experience participating in coalitions and building strategic relationships with diverse groups and interests.
• Teaching experience is a significant plus.

Our Commitment to Diversity

To better serve the teachers and students at the core of our mission, Teach Plus is committed to maximizing the diversity of our organization. We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage individuals of all ethnic and racial backgrounds and gender identities to apply to our positions.

Location, Travel, and Commitment

Candidates must reside in Colorado and be willing to travel as needed. This role requires some nights and weekends to support policy sessions and meet with teachers and policymakers.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is between $85,000-$95,000. The salary offered will be determined based on the selected candidate’s specific qualifications, years of relevant experience, specialized knowledge, and internal equity. Teach Plus provides a comprehensive benefits package and time-off, including 15 vacation days, 3 personal days, 5 sick days, 13 holidays, July break, Winter break, paid parental leave, and a 4-week paid sabbatical for every five years of service.

How to Apply

Please complete an online application found here. A cover letter is required for our application process. It should include why you are interested in this opportunity at Teach Plus and outline your most relevant experience.

Teach Plus will receive applications until the position is filled. The anticipated start date is late June/early July 2024.