Texas Policy Program Manager (remote)

Company: Teach Plus
Location: Austin
Posted on: November 22, 2021

Job Description:

Overview of Teach PlusThe mission of Teach Plus is to empower excellent, experienced, and diverse teachers to take leadership over key policy and practice issues that advance equity, opportunity, and student success. The organization empowers expert teachers to advance policy changes and improve instructional leadership and teacher supports; trains and coaches teacher leaders to successfully mobilize and lead teacher teams; and empowers teacher leaders to be change agents among their peers and policy makers. Since 2009, Teach Plus has trained thousands of teacher leaders across the country who are driving policy changes and improving the instructional practices of teachers to create an education system driven by equity, access, and excellence for all students.Position SummaryThe Teaching Policy Fellowship prepares high potential, highly effective teachers to become leaders of their peers and trusted partners for decision makers and media. The Texas Teacher Advisory Group is based on the Teaching Policy Fellowship model and is designed to provide both leadership skill-building for teachers and structured opportunities for strategic teacher input on a range of topics. The Texas Policy Program Manager will be a credible broker between teachers and state education leaders leveraging partnerships in order to lay the groundwork for teacher voice and create opportunities for teacher leaders to have influence on critical issues.Reporting to the Texas Executive Director, the Texas Policy Program Manager will have overall management responsibility for running the Texas Teacher Advisory Cabinet program and supporting other teacher policy work across the state, supporting a grassroots teacher advocacy network, and building partnerships and relationships across Texas.Position ResponsibilitiesPolicy & OutreachThe Policy Manager will manage the Teach Plus Texas Teacher Advisory Group and contribute to state policy strategy and leverage relationships that enable teachers to have an impact on critical policy issues by:

• In partnership with the Texas Executive Director, maintaining relationships with policymakers, state leaders, and education organizations in Austin.
  • Training and supporting teachers as they conduct advocacy and advisory efforts to enact policy change, including providing training and input to teachers as they write op-eds, meet with policymakers, testify, and participate in community organizing efforts at the state and local level.
    • Training teachers to be community organizers on issues of importance to their students, and providing them with the tools and support to be successful.
      • Identifying opportunities for teachers to advocate for equity on behalf of their students locally and in the state Capital, and to be recognized for their excellence through awards and other honors.
        • Collaborating with national staff to engage teachers in national/federal advocacy work.Program ManagementThe Policy Program Manager will develop the skills of teacher leaders across the state to engage in policy and advisory discussion and create a broad community of excellent and effective teachers to bring teacher voice to influence national, state and district policies, through:
          • In partnership with the Texas Executive Director, managing the Texas Teacher Advisory Group, including coordinating monthly training sessions and twice-yearly retreats (including assigned readings, lectures, guest speakers, group discussions, and working groups) and collaborating with program partners.
            • Supporting the Fellows to develop and disseminate their proposals for policy changes at the local, state and national levels.
              • Developing strong relationships with Teach Plus Policy Fellows, and serving as their talent agent, providing them with opportunities to lead and be recognized.
                • Supporting teacher-led projects by providing strategic policy advice, project management, editing documents, and research support.
                  • In collaboration with other Teach Plus staff and partner organizations, support teachers as they conduct teacher opinion research and author policy memos and briefs.
                    • Participate in the recruitment and selection process to ensure a high quality and diverse applicant pool for Advisory Group and Policy Fellowships.
                      • Support recruitment activities such as developing messaging for recruitment materials, targeted outreach, and communicating with applicants through multiple outlets across the state, including in-person presentations, webinars, etc.Program Support
                        • Maintain accurate and timely data and enter appropriate information as it relates to the Network participants and training sessions into the Salesforce database for ongoing accountability reports.
                          • Assist with editing documents that will be shared with media outlets.
                            • Participate in legislative sessions and other meetings, as appropriate.
                              • Support the Executive Director in identifying, developing, and maintaining funder relationships.Skills In order to be successful in this role, ideal candidates should have:
                                • At least three years of teaching experience
                                  • Experience with policy, advocacy, and/or community organizing, a plus
                                    • A passionate commitment to advancing equity and opportunity in Texas, by supporting outstanding and diverse teachers to contribute to the success of all students
                                      • Strong organization and project management skills, with the ability to work independently
                                        • Excellent collaboration, relationship-building, and interpersonal skills
                                          • Excellent oral and written communication skills
                                            • Experience in creating and facilitating professional learning experiences for adults, a plus
                                              • Experience with research and/or writing, a plusCommitment to DiversityIn order 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 CommitmentAlthough this position will be conducted virtually (primarily from a home office), the candidate must be physically located in Texas and be willing to travel occasionally across the state for Teach Plus meetings and events.Compensation and BenefitsCompensation is commensurate with experience. Teach Plus offers a generous benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, 3% matching 401k plan, disability and life insurance, and Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and childcare expenses. Teach Plus offers generous time off benefits including 15 vacation days, 3 personal days, 5 sick days, 12 holidays, and winter break. Additionally, Teach Plus offers a 4-week paid sabbatical for every five years of service.How to ApplyTo apply, please complete an online application found at The application will require you to upload a resume and cover letter. The cover letter should include an explanation of your interest in the position as well as a summary of relevant qualifications and experience. Teach Plus will receive applications until the position is filled.Teach Plus is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex or natural origin.Job Type: Full-timeBenefits:
                                                • 401(k)
                                                • 401(k) matching
                                                • Dental insurance
                                                • Flexible spending account
                                                • Health insurance
                                                • Life insurance
                                                • Paid time off
                                                • Parental leave
                                                • Vision insuranceSchedule:
                                                  • 8 hour shift
                                                  • Monday to FridayWork Location:
                                                    • Multiple locationsWork Remotely:
                                                      • YesWork Location: Multiple Locations

Keywords: Teach Plus, Austin , Texas Policy Program Manager (remote), Executive , Austin, Texas