TECA Fellowship

We craft meaningful experiences for educators of color in Tennessee to amplify their voices, advocate for equitable policies and practices, and expose them to leadership opportunities.

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The First Few Years Matter.
Don't Teach Alone. Lead Together.

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS| Only 10 Tennessee Educators Will Be Selected

The TECA Fellowship ensures Tennessee's most promising early career educators don't get lulled into a teaching routine that stifles their opportunities for development, growth, and career advancement. Rooted in a culturally relevant curriculum, this exclusive leadership fellowship helps teachers strengthen instructional practice, grow as leaders, build lasting professional relationships, and become advocates for students and public education.

It's time to expand your impact beyond your classroom. Give the unique leader inside of you the chance to shine through an investment in your future:Community
Leadership development
A statewide network
Mentorship
To be clear, Tennessee needs great teachers who are ready to become great leaders.

Why Apply To Become A TECA Fellow?

There's more than one way to be a leader. This program enables Fellows to determine the right way for themselves. School leadership is valuable, but this program prepares Fellows to identify, hone, and develop their individual leadership character and style.

Fellows will:
✅ Strengthen their instructional leadership
✅ Learn from accomplished educators
✅ Receive one-on-one mentoring
✅ Expand their statewide professional network
✅ Develop their advocacy skills
✅ Build confidence as an educator
✅ Collaborate with other outstanding teachers
✅ Explore pathways into school leadership

NEW! Education Advocacy Academy

Every Fellow participates in the Education Advocacy Academy, where educators learn how to advocate beyond the classroom.
Discover how to:

  • Understand education policy
  • Advocate for students
  • Influence educational decisions
  • Communicate with policymakers
  • Tell your advocacy story
  • Become a voice for Tennessee educators


Upon completion, Fellows will receive an Education Advocacy certificate, which recognizes their commitment to educational leadership and advocacy.

What You'll Experience

Develop. Strengthen instructional practice, leadership capacity, confidence, and long-term career success.

Connect. Build meaningful relationships with educators, principals, mentors, education organizations, and policymakers throughout Tennessee.

Elevate. Expand your leadership opportunities while becoming part of a growing statewide network of educational leaders.

Mentors Matter

Every Fellow is paired with an experienced educator who will support your growth throughout the program.

Benefits:

  • Individual coaching
  • Leadership guidance
  • Classroom support
  • Wellness strategies
  • Career planning
  • Professional networking


The goal is to increase Tennessee's educator retention rates for educators of color by providing them with the tools, support, and opportunities to thrive.

Leadership Capstone

Fellows will choose a project that makes an authentic impact and produces real change.

Project examples include:

  • Classroom innovation project
  • Instructional improvement initiative
  • Professional learning presentation
  • Education advocacy project
  • Leadership reflection presentation

Who Should Apply?

Tennessee public school educators with at least four years of teaching experience, and:

  • Demonstrate leadership potential
  • Are committed to remaining in education
  • Receive a recommendation from their principal
  • Commit to attend all required sessions
  • Have a passion for students and educational excellence

What Graduates Gain:

  • TECA Fellowship Certificate of Completion
  • Education Advocacy Certificate
  • A statewide educator network
  • An experienced mentor
  • Advanced leadership skills
  • Advocacy experience
  • Greater confidence and career support

Ready to Take Your Next Step?

The application is open through Friday, August 14, 2026.
Only 10 educators will be selected for this exclusive statewide fellowship. Become a TECA Fellow. Grow. Lead. Stay.

What Are Alumni Saying?

The fellowship has made me feel bolder and more willing to take risks and speak up for our students. It has also taught me to be more engaged, more critical, and less willing to take things at face value; I analyze decisions more closely and ask who will be impacted by the decisions we make; I also look more closely at who is making the decisions."

"Before last year I wasn't sure how much longer I would be able to stay in the profession. Without having other educators of color to connect with in my building, it was hard to want to push through the microaggressions, systematic obstacles, and violence that happen on a daily basis. After the fellowship, I have a renewed sense of purpose in the field and desire to grow in my knowledge and expertise. I am also now an associate dean of academics at my school with an emphasis on culturally responsive practices in the classroom and assessing our academic policies for equity. I never would've imagined wanting to pursue something of that nature! Lastly, I am wanting to pursue a doctorate in education policy within the next three years."

"Life-changing, vision-affirming, necessary! Thank you so much! I don't think I have the words to explain how participating in this type of fellowship during this time changed my trajectory. Again, thank you."

Program Staff

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Dr. Shawn Boyd, Programs Manager