As a first-year special education teacher, I was very lucky to have continuous support, expertise, and encouragement from Diverse Learners Cooperative! Whether it was an informative professional development session, a one-on-one conversation, or a morning "Coffee Chat," I always learned so much and DLC's mission has always remained clear: to support educators so all of our students can achieve and excel! Though I am still learning, I am a more confident and passionate educator because of DLC!

Due to the DLC Fellowship, I had motivation to dig deeper into my teaching practice and think holistically about EL instruction at my school. ... From the full group meetings, discussions, and resource sharing to observations and thought-partnering in the classroom from my coach, each element of support equipped me with strategies and ideas that I would not have had access to otherwise. My school’s EL students greatly benefited from the fellowship, and I’m so thankful for all that it provided to my practice.

The DLC Fellowship encouraged me to collaborate and consult with general education teachers at my new school to improve learning for my students. It also provided me with amazing coaching, feedback, and resources that helped me better reach my students this year, but I know will also have a lasting effect on my professional practice as a teacher moving forward as well. Finally, the DLC connected me with a fantastic group of educators who I felt lucky to be able to learn from and collaborate with this year!

The DLC has fostered an environment of like-minded educators who can problem solve together. This environment has been incredibly helpful and nourishing.

This was my favorite year of teaching by far and I owe so much of that to the DLC. It was energizing and encouraging to tackle such a “big” issue common in schools and to consistently be thinking of ways to solve it. The DLC helped me come up with so many creative solutions and really helped me feel confident in the impact I, as a single educator, can have on an entire school’s culture and practices.

The biggest thing I gained from the fellowship experience is a greater sense of self as a teacher, leader, and person. By participating in this fellowship I spent much time reflecting on my practices and really thinking more deeply about education and how showing up for my students impacts our day to day. I also gained another community network of educators that have similar goals and work ethics that I was able to learn from.