Diverse Learners Cooperative

Teacher Leader Fellowship

The Teacher Leader Fellowship aims to increase the success of diverse learners by empowering and equipping teachers to lead change within their classrooms and schools. Engaging in a year-long fellowship program, Teacher Leaders develop both technical and leadership skills to enact change for the diverse learners they serve.
Applications for the 2024 – 2025 school year are closed at this time. Applications for the 2025 – 2026 school year will open spring 2025.

The Fellowship Experience

Three Day
Summer Session

School Year
Growth Sessions

onsite 1:1 core practice and leadership coaching

peer
school visits

Mentor groups and
cohort events

Design and implement
impact project

Leader Benefits

Impact Diverse Learner Outcomes

Drive improved academic, behavioral, and social outcomes for diverse learners through data-based decision making processes.

Lead
Teachers

Develop skills to collaborate with and coach teachers and leaders in leading effective student-centered instruction.

Influencing School Practices

Advocate for diverse learner responsive practice, develop solutions to related challenges, and design effective strategies for implementation.

In the Words of Our Fellows

Strong Candidates

Our goal is to develop diverse learner leaders who are able to affect change within their schools. Each Fellowship is comprised of a group of educators who:

  • Are licensed to teach students with disabilities or students who are multilingual
  • Work with students and teachers on a regular basis through a variety of instructional settings and experiences
  • Have been working in education for at least two full school years 
  • Have an awareness of gaps in opportunities for diverse learners in their schools and a desire to lead change that will directly impact these learners
  • Continuously push themselves to learn and improve and inspire their community to demonstrate a similar growth mindset
  • Seek to increase their abilities to communicate across stakeholders to advocate for diverse learner needs
  • Have the support of school leadership to participate in the Fellowship experience and implement their Impact Project at the school-site

Past Fellowship Cohorts

2022 - 2023

  • 26 Fellows across Nashville and Memphis
  • Private, traditional, and charter schools
  • 3 EL Teachers, 17 special education teachers, and 6 general education teachers
  • Ranging from 3 to 24 years of experience

2021 - 2022

  • 20 Fellows across Nashville and Memphis
  • Private, traditional, and charter schools.
  • 8 EL teachers, 9 special education teachers, and 3 support coordinators
  • Ranging from 3 to 25 years of experience

2019 - 2020

  • 21 Nashville Fellows
  • 7 charter schools and 9 traditional schools
  • 8 EL teachers, 8 special education teachers, and 5 support coordinators
  • Ranging from 3 to 30 years of experience

See our Fellow Handbook for further program details.