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Program Update

Applications for 2009-2010 are currently being reviewed. Finalist should be notified by early May for interviews.

Program Overview

Over recent years, a stronger spotlight has been cast on student academic achievement and teaching quality in an effort to dramatically improve education across America. Research shows that the most important factor in determining student performance is a highly skilled, highly effective teacher in the classroom. Teachers understand—better than anyone—the challenges and rewards of public education and the types of instructional and school improvement strategies that yield the greatest results for their students. Teachers perform many vital leadership activities at the local level, but, too often, they lack opportunities to contribute to the development of education policy on a broader scale. The U.S. Department of Education designed the Teaching Ambassador Fellowship to tap into teachers' knowledge and experience, and to enable outstanding teachers to participate in the national dialogue about education.

Mission: Improve education by involving teachers in national education policy.

Goals:

• Create a community of teacher leaders who share expertise, learn from, and collaborate with policymakers on national education issues.

• Involve teachers in developing policies that affect the classroom

• Expand teacher leadership at the national, state, and local levels.