About : Join Us : EdFellows

EdFellows

Are you a Minnesota educator or parent advocate eager to get more involved in the policy issues facing our schools? At EdAllies, we believe that to reimagine what is possible in schools—and ultimately improve outcomes for students—we need voices like yours at the table. Our EdFellows program gives you the chance to get hands-on policy experience and develop leadership skills as you take on a project that will inform local education debates and help strengthen Minnesota schools.

THE PROGRAM

Each EdFellow works to develop a project around a specific education policy issue about which they are truly passionate. Over the course of 12 months, we support fellows as they conduct research, implement action plans, and learn how to navigate the policy process. Possible projects include:

  • Drafting a white paper on a topic of interest;
  • Implementation of an advocacy plan to advance a specific policy proposal;
  • Creating materials or toolkits to help others learn about and act on an issue;
  • Arranging interviews and/or focus groups and summarizing findings to shed light on a policy issue;
  • Coordinating a conference, forum, or event; or
  • Forging a new path with your own idea. We encourage creativity!

In addition to spearheading a tangible project, fellows engage in EdAlllies’ core advocacy efforts. Whether by contributing to our policy planning process, writing blog posts or op-eds, supporting events, providing feedback on our research, or joining meetings with policymakers, we are eager to give you deeper insight into our work—and a role in shaping it.

Fellows will spend an average of 10 hours per month working on their project, on a completely flexible schedule. Fellows will receive a stipend of $4,000 for one year ($333.33 per month for 12 months).

THE IDEAL EDFELLOW CANDIDATE

We are looking for fellows who:

  • Can articulate a passion for a specific policy issue or question.
  • Are proactive and goal-oriented. We support you, but you’re the owner of your project!
  • Bring a curiosity and willingness to think outside the box.
  • Share our vision of a Minnesota where every student succeeds in a rigorous and engaging education.

We can best support fellows with an interest in the following topics, where we know your work will have a direct impact on our active, ongoing policy advocacy efforts:

  • School discipline and restorative justice;
  • Special education identification, services, and funding;
  • School integration and the role of school choice;
  • School improvement;
  • Transparency and effective use of school data; and
  • Teacher preparation and licensure.
HOW TO APPLY

New fellowship opportunities will be posted soon. In the meantime, if you have questions about the program, please contact EdAllies’ Managing Director Andrea Roethke at aroethke@edalliesmn.org.