The State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) announced today that it is expanding the Tennessee Educator Fellowship and currently accepting applications for the 2016-17 class.
Over the course of a year, Tennessee Educator Fellows learn about, reflect upon, and advocate for policies, practices, and systems that improve educator effectiveness and student achievement. Teachers selected for the program are classroom teachers from urban, suburban, and rural districts and each of Tennessee’s three geographic divisions. The Tennessee Educator Fellowship reflects the broad diversity of the education profession in years of experience and subjects and grades taught.
SCORE is accepting applications for the program through April 8. The next class will select approximately 50 teachers as Tennessee Educator Fellows.
“SCORE believes that empowering people creates a strong pillar to support greater student achievement in Tennessee. 
The Tennessee Educator Fellowship empowers our teachers to share their perspectives and influence the discussion about how best to ensure every student graduates ready for what comes after high school when they continue their education or enter the workforce,” SCORE President David Mansouri said.
The Tennessee Educator Fellowship was launched three years ago and has helped prepare 48 teachers from across the state to assume larger leadership roles while remaining in the classroom. The program is led by Tennessee Educator Fellowship Coordinator Peter Tang, who is an alumnus.“The diversity of the Tennessee Educator Fellows we bring together allows for a student-focused conversation that is one-of-a-kind in Tennessee,” Tang said. “My fellowship experience gave me the confidence to speak out about the policies and practices that were impacting my classroom and to share my experiences to help other stakeholders understand what works best for students.”
Tennessee Educator Fellows provide a clear, consistent, student-focused voice as the state works to ensure that all students graduate from high school prepared for their future. Through in-person and online convenings, the Educator Fellows are assisted in defining and effectively communicating about their advocacy issues, building a network with other teacher leaders, and collaborating with stakeholders to advance student-focused education policies and practices in Tennessee.