Closing the achievement gap requires strong leaders at every level of government and policy who believe we can and must achieve this goal. The Political Leadership Initiative works to foster a culture of political engagement and leadership among our corps members and alumni. It provides tools, resources, and opportunities to help alumni influence the policies and priorities of local, state, and national government. It also helps prepare them to pursue elected positions in order to work toward educational equity in our nation.

Today there are 23 Teach For America alumni serving in elected public office across the country. They join 15 previous officeholders and hundreds of alumni who are working in government or advocacy, or are campaigning on behalf of candidates.

Resources

• Leadership For Educational Equity Website: Click here to explore a dynamic set of resources, toolkits, job listings, and social networking features to connect with other corps members and alumni and with opportunities to get involved in politics at all levels.
• Political Engagement Advice: For alumni considering a career in politics, our team can help think through options and next steps to start them on their way.
• Political Leadership Training and Mentoring: A wide range of national and regional partners provide advocacy, campaign, and leadership training for alumni.
• Virtual Information Sessions: Alumni can learn about pathways to and preparation for professional opportunities in politics and government. Recent sessions have included "Careers on Capitol Hill" and "Getting Involved in Presidential Campaigns."
• Political Leadership E-newsletter: News of alumni leaders, key political developments, and jobs and resources like virtual information sessions is delivered to alumni inboxes each month.

Alumni in Political Leadership

Tina Hone

• Bay Area ’92
• Member, Fairfax County, Va. School Board
• Held leadership positions in nonprofits and government, including serving as associate undersecretary for economic affairs at the U.S. Department of Commerce
• Attended a non-partisan Women’s Campaign Forum candidate training through a Political Leadership Initiative partnership; received endorsement of Women’s Campaign Forum

Bill Norbert

• Greater New Orleans ‘90
• Attorney, State Attorney General Office, Former Representative in the Maine State Legislature
• Served as the minority whip in the Maine Legislature, where he participated in determining the state’s funding for education and policies on competency requirements for teachers, student testing standards, and teacher recruitment strategies
• After several years in office, left the legislature to join the state attorney general’s office where he now works on issues of equal access to higher education as the government affairs manager for the Finance Authority of Maine

Click here to read more profiles of alumni in politics and policy.

Contact Us

If you would like to learn more about the Political Leadership Initiative and how we might be able to partner with your organization, contact lead@teachforamerica.org.