Teach Plus Illinois

05/11/2026

Shout-out to our Chicago Change Agents at C.E. Hughes Elementary School, who were recently featured in this video!

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

05/08/2026

Happy to our Senior Change Agents!

05/07/2026

Happy to our Chicago Change Agents!

05/06/2026

Hear Policy Fellow Jessica Rivera discuss what's in our newest report on what teachers need from AI guidance!

05/05/2026

76% of Illinois teachers are already using AI in their work.
Only 55% have received any training on it.
That gap matters—and Illinois is finally doing something about it.

Statewide AI guidance is coming this summer. Here's what teachers said they need it to include:

From Rules and Tools to Schools: What Illinois Educators Want from AI Guidance May 5, 2026 From Rules and Tools to Schools: What Illinois Educators Want from AI Guidance Published May. 5, 2026 Share Share through your Linkedin Profile Share on Bluesky Share through your Facebook Profile Share throug...

05/01/2026

Sooo many applications for Chicago Change Agent…and yet the deadline is still open to APPLY! Dynamic teacher leaders who are passionate about creating change that you KNOW needs to happen in your school that meet the criteria, APPLY.

💙Criteria:
💚70% or more FRL rate in a CHICAGO public, parochial or charter school. (Exceptions for compelling projects/needs may apply).
💚Be a teacher (coach/counselor/SECA accepted) of record for two years
💚Can mobilize a team willing to work on a year-long project
💚Be a person that can work alongside a school leader (or principal/network assigned designee) to craft SMART (E) goals that guide the project through the fellowship
💚Can commit to bi-weekly virtual coaching sessions with a coach for 1 hour or weekly for 30 minutes
💚Can commit to monthly cohort meetings (4-in person, 6 virtual) with other selected Change Agent leaders
💚Can commit to goal assessment meetings with school leadership or assigned designee
💚Willing to be PAID a $2,500 stipend for the work
💚READY to take this on because we brag differently and get teachers to their leadership goals😘😘 (Check the page—we can walk it like we talk it).
💚READY BECAUSE YOU KNOW a kid’s future is living at the end of that goal.
Come create greatness with us, on behalf of Chicago students. Want to use music to get kids to their literacy scores you’ve been dying to see? You want to build your own equity audit? How about a restorative justice positivity project? More kids to AP and honors classes from YOUR project idea? We have done ALL of this and more.
Come on and apply💚💙😘

Questions: 708-701-1741
Crystal Jameau. (Yes, it’s her real phone number and doesn’t care😂. Text her neowwww)
Or, email her via [email protected].

Link to application: https://teachplus.tfaforms.net/328444

Or, nominate a dope teacher by text (number shared above) or this link: https://teachplus.tfaforms.net/328142

04/19/2026

Congratulations to Bri Connor, 2024-2025 Change Agent, who was recognized tonight by Illinois State Board of Education with an Award of Special Recognition!

03/27/2026

On AI Literacy Day, Teach Plus Policy Fellows are sharing the support Illinois teachers want on AI: tinyurl.com/teachplusIL-AI

Last year, we passed SB1920 to require statewide AI guidance. Now, we’re sharing how the Illinois State Board of Education can create guidance that's responsive to teachers' concerns.

Our new memo with the Illinois Digital Educators Alliance, From “Rules and Tools” to Schools, surveyed Illinois educators and found that 58% of teachers are already using AI for lessons—but too many still lack the training they need.

Read our 4 key recommendations for the statewide guidance coming this summer:

1️⃣ Statewide Vetting: Clear frameworks for safe, equitable tools.
2️⃣ Teacher Leaders: Empowering local experts to mentor peers.
3️⃣ Concrete Examples: Moving from "vague principles" to classroom-ready models.
4️⃣ Human Connection: AI to support, not replace, relationships.

Get the 2-page roadmap here (or listen to the podcast version in the comments!) tinyurl.com/teachplusIL-AI