⏳ Only 5 days left to apply!
Philly educators — don’t miss your chance to step into leadership role that centers equity, educator wellness, and affirming spaces for teachers.
Teach Plus Pennsylvania is counting down to the deadline to apply for the 2026–27 Philadelphia Affinity Group Network (PAGN) Facilitator Cohort!
As a PAGN facilitator, you’ll: ✅ Lead monthly affinity groups ✅ Receive a stipend, leadership training & PD ✅ Help support teacher retention across Philadelphia
📅 Applications close May 22, 2026 🔗 Apply or nominate someone amazing using the link in our bio!
📩 Questions? Reach us at [email protected] #TeachPlusPA #PAGN #PhillyEducators #EducatorLeadership #EquityInEducation #TeacherRetention #5DayCountdown
Protecting our schools and our students’ futures! 🛑🏫
On Tuesday, Teach Plus PA Coalition Manager Rachael Garnick testified before the Philadelphia City Council Committee of the Whole in strong support of the proposed rideshare tax. Working alongside advocates from Children First, she urged Council to act now to prevent the devastating loss of 340 school-based positions.
The plan is simple but vital: a $1 per ride fee, along with a cell tower fee, would generate $48 million annually. This funding would directly sustain the critical staff who make our schools run and protect the academic progress our students have fought so hard for. 📈💪
As Rachael underscored, this modest investment—already common in peer cities—is a necessary step for Philadelphia’s 198,000 public school students. It’s time to prioritize our classrooms!
#TeachPlusPA #PAGreatSchools #EducationEquity #SchoolFunding #PHLed #explore
Applications for the 2026-2027 Philadelphia Affinity Group Network (PAGN) Facilitators are now OPEN!
Teach Plus PA is looking for dynamic, equity-driven educators to lead our next cohort of PAGN educator affinity spaces. If you’re passionate about equity, community-building, and educator support—this is your chance to lead powerful conversations that matter.
👥 Know someone who’d be a great fit? Nominate them today!
📝 Ready to lead? Submit your application using the link in our bio now!
#TeachPlusPA #PAGN #TeacherLeadership #EducatorVoice #EquityInEducation #AffinityGroups #ApplyNow
The Science of Reading in action! 📚✨
The PA Literacy Coalition recently celebrated the release of its inaugural Proof Points Report with a legislative roundtable in Scranton. We were honored to be joined by Rep. Koserowski, Rep. Donahue, and a representative from Sen. Flynn’s office for a firsthand look at the district’s impressive literacy growth.
The day featured classroom visits followed by a deep-dive discussion moderated by Coalition Manager Rachael Garnick. We were thrilled to have former Teach Plus PA Policy Fellows and Scranton SD Reading Specialists, Kim Tesluk and Suzanne Shaffer, alongside Ann Greebeck (Director of Elementary Instruction), share their expertise on how evidence-based instruction is transforming outcomes for students. 📈🍎
When educators and policymakers come together, we see exactly what’s possible for Pennsylvania’s learners!
#TeachPlusPA #PAGreatSchools #EducationEquity #SchoolFunding #PHLed #explore
#TeacherSpotlight: Meet Desiree White-Price! 🍎✨
A 2025-2026 Teach Plus PA Literacy Forward Network Teacher Leader and a dedicated educator in the Woodland Hills School District for 18 years, Desiree currently inspires our youngest learners as a first-grade teacher in the Mon Valley area. But her leadership doesn't stop at the classroom door!
In the 2024-2025 school year, Desiree spearheaded a vital initiative, leading a team of administrators and staff to transform district professional development. Her work focused on creating inclusive spaces where teachers of color feel truly valued, supported, and empowered to lead. 🤝📈
Desiree’s passion for growth is backed by an impressive academic journey, including a BA in Communications from Carlow University, an M.Ed. in Elementary Education from Duquesne University, and a second Master’s in Technology Education and Online Learning from Liberty University. 🎓💻
We are honored to have Desiree’s experience and heart for equity in the Teach Plus PA network!
#InspiringEducators #TeacherLeadership #TeachPlusPA #explore
⏳ Only 10 days left to apply!
Philly educators — don’t miss your chance to step into a paid leadership role that centers equity, educator wellness, and affirming spaces for teachers6
Teach Plus Pennsylvania is counting down to the deadline to apply for the 2026–27 Philadelphia Affinity Group Network (PAGN) Facilitator Cohort!
As a PAGN facilitator, you’ll: ✅ Lead monthly affinity groups ✅ Receive a stipend, leadership training & PD ✅ Help support teacher retention across Philadelphia
📅 Applications close May 22, 2026 Apply or nominate someone amazing using the link in our bio!
📩 Questions? Reach us at [email protected] #TeachPlusPA #PAGN #PhillyEducators #EducatorLeadership #EquityInEducation #TeacherRetention
🌟 Interested in building affirming spaces for educators—while growing your leadership skills and staying in the classroom?
Join us for an PAGN Info Session TOMORROW to learn how to become a 2026–27 PAGN Facilitator with Teach Plus PA!
✅ Get the inside scoop on this paid leadership opportunity ✅ Hear from current facilitators ✅ Ask your questions live
📅 TOMORROW May 12, 3:30 pm 🔗 Register here: https://teachplus.zoom.us/meeting/register/DNYafTu3RsCeKylYuCh-NA
#PAGNPhilly #TeacherLeadership #AffinityMatters #TeachPlusPA #PHLed
#TeacherSpotlight: Meet Dr. Payal Mital! 🧬✨
A 2025–2026 Belonging Empowerment and Mentorship Network (BEAM) Teacher Leader and a 9th-grade biology teacher at South Fayette High School, Payal is transforming how students see the world through inquiry-based, phenomenon-driven science. But her impact goes far beyond the lab! 🧪🔬
As the sponsor of SHOUT (Social Handprints Overcoming Unjust Treatment), Payal empowers her students to lead with equity and empathy, shaping them into culturally responsive global citizens. Her dedication to systemic change is also seen in her past work with the Equity Leadership Institute and PBIS implementation teams.
Outside the classroom, Payal is a powerhouse for educator advocacy. As a founding member of Teaching Is My Favorite Color, she helps provide a vital safe space for connection and empowerment for educators of color in Western Pennsylvania. 🌈✊
With a PhD in Biomedical Sciences and two consecutive years of awards for innovation-driven teaching, Payal is a true leader in the Teach Plus PA network. We are so honored to have her voice!
#InspiringEducators #TeacherLeadership #TeachPlusPA #explore
#TeacherSpotlight: Meet Christa Kirk! 🍎✨
A 2025-2026 Teach Plus PA Literacy Forward Network Teacher Leader, Christa is dedicated to fostering a supportive and thriving environment for every student. As a second-grade teacher at Edgewood Elementary STEAM Academy, she brings years of early childhood expertise and a deep commitment to student success.
For the past two years, Christa has been an integral part of Edgewood’s MTSS team. Having completed specialized PBIS training, she is a passionate advocate for building positive learning environments where students feel empowered to grow. Before joining the team at Edgewood, Christa shared her love for learning as a kindergarten teacher at Fairless Elementary and a preschool educator in Penn Hills. 🌟
Christa holds a BA in Elementary Education (K-6) from Saint Vincent College. We are so proud to have her leadership and classroom expertise elevating literacy and student well-being in Pennsylvania!
#TeacherSpotlight #TeacherLife #EducationMatters #InspiringEducators #TeacherLeadership #TeachPlusPA #explore
#TeacherSpotlight: Lynetta Smith
As a 2025–2026 Belonging Empowerment and Mentorship Network (BEAM) Teacher Leader and ESL teacher at Duquesne City School District, Lynetta is dedicated to helping K–2 students thrive. Her leadership extends far beyond the classroom—she leads her school’s Equity Leadership Institute Team and co-coordinates Family Cultural Night, bridge-building between schools and the community. 🤝🌍
With a background spanning Head Start to applied behavior analysis, Lynetta’s expertise is as deep as her commitment. It’s no wonder she was named Staff Member of the Month in October 2025! We are so proud to have her voice in our network.
Join us in celebrating Lynetta’s incredible work for PA students! 👏
#TeacherLife #EducationMatters #InspiringEducators #TeacherLeadership #TeachPlusPA #explore
Yesterday, we took our voices to Harrisburg.
Alongside educators, students, and advocates from across Pennsylvania, we stood together to support student teacher stipends. Because future educators deserve support while they’re doing the important work of learning in the classroom.
Pennsylvania is facing a growing teacher shortage, and programs like these help remove financial barriers so passionate individuals can enter the profession and stay.
We are proud to advocate for our students, our programs, and the future of education.
This is just the beginning, more from our day at the Capitol coming in the next posts!
#PANeedsTeachers #CTEWorks #FutureEducators #TeacherPipeline #AdvocacyInAction Harrisburg EducationMatters CWCTC
✨ Hear what a participant has to say!
Being part of the PAGN Facilitator Cohort is more than a leadership opportunity—it’s a space to grow, connect, and uplift fellow educators in Philly.
Ready to lead while staying in the classroom? ✅ Apply now or nominate a teacher today using the link in our bio
#PAGNPhilly #AffinityMatters #TeacherLeadership #TeachPlusPA #PHLed
