Through IN3F, corps members and alumni will have a chance to explore more deeply the social issues affecting the communities in which we live.
Investing in Innovation is a partnership between Teach For America Indianapolis and our member community to pursue innovative ideas that will advance our vision for all Hoosier students to lead lives of their choosing and contribute to a more vibrant and just community.
Through our Investing in Innovation Fellowship (IN3F), corps members and alumni will have a chance to explore more deeply the social issues affecting the communities in which we live and serve, and will work with partners from across the city to create innovative solutions. In a cohort learning model, fellows will “fall in love with the problem” and pursue coalition efforts to seek answers. Fellows will also receive training in a systems change approach, allowing participants to iterate on ideas and pursue projects that produce rapid, meaningful results.
Why Apply?
The program culminates with a cash award of up to $2,500 for fellows to pursue their new solution.
As part of IN3F, Fellows will:
- Receive professional development in pursuit of solutions to issues affecting their community.
- Make connections with community partners from around the region.
- Receive a cash award to pursue social entrepreneurship in service of ending educational inequity.
Questions? Contact Randy Pease at randy.pease@teachforamerica.org.
2020 Fellow Cohort
Max Glenn (Indy '18) ) is an artist and Special Educator currently at KIPP Indy Unite Elementary. Max's work in the fellowship will address access inequality to arts and arts experiences in Indianapolis area schools.
Elyse McNett Goonan (St. Louis '04) is a Software Project Consultant for Envisage Technologies and the founder of Lefty McGoo, an Instagram-based social enterprise that empowers students from all backgrounds to give to causes that matter to them.
Shivani Goyal (Indy '15) is the Education Specialist at La Plaza. In her role, she supports Latino students and families in achieving educational success and having greater access to college. Shivani’s work in the fellowship will focus on increasing awareness and access to culturally relevant and multilingual mental health resources designed to address the distinctive experiences and needs of immigrant communities.
Tom Hakim (Indy '09) is the Principal of Washington Woods Elementary School in Westfield, Indiana. Tom's work in the fellowship will be focused on expanding opportunities and supports for English Language Learners and high-poverty students in his school community.
Makayla Imrie (Indy '17) is a high school teacher at TC Howe Community High School. Alongside Joe Zwiebel, Makayla's work in the fellowship will focus on building a sustainable system of mentorship and support for Indianapolis high school students so they feel empowered to pursue any and all post-secondary opportunities.
Michael Lipphardt (Dallas/Ft. Worth '11) is the Director of Operations and Finance at Victory College Prep. A former high school mathematics teacher, Mike is incredibly passionate about providing college and career access and pathways for students and hopes to build a coalition of leaders to expand on these efforts in the city.
Ana Luis (Indianapolis 2010) currently works at The Excel Center as their Lead Teacher, teaching Secondary Mathematics and providing instructional coaching for a team of high school instructors. Ana is a PhD candidate in IUPUI’s Urban Education Studies program and plans to do her research on the specific math educational experiences of students who have discontinued high school and are returning to adult high school programs.
Madeline Mason (Indy '11) serves as a Social-Emotional Learning and Mindfulness Coach for the district of Washington Township leading in the three middle schools: Eastwood, Northview, and Westlane. he finds the deepest passion in her work through connecting mindfulness and DEI work and recently founded the Mindful Equity Project (www.mindfulequity.org).
Joe Zwiebel (Indy '15) is an Academic Specialist at T.C. Howe Community High School. Alongside Makayla Imrie, Joe's work in the fellowship will focus on creating a sustainable system to provide dynamic mentorship for high school students in the city of Indianapolis.
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Who Can Apply?
IN3F is designed to activate our TFA Indy member base, including all alumni and current corps members working in the Indianapolis region. This region includes all of Indiana, excepting the Gary and South Bend metropolitan areas.
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Application Materials
Here's what you'll need to have ready to fill out and submit the application. Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee comprised of members of TFA Indy staff, Alumni Board, and Board of Directors, and may also include a selection of presenters from within the Fellowship.
- Name, email, and corps region and year
- Current role and employer
- Answers to the following questions:
- What problem have you identified in your community that you are passionate about working toward a solution for? Who does this problem impact? Why is solving this problem important for you and your community?
- What ideas have you considered as potential solutions to this problem?
- Are there other organizations or leaders already pursuing solutions to this problem? How will your work contribute to the collective effort?
- What strengths and leadership qualities would you bring to the Fellowship? What excites you about pursuing social entrepreneurship?
- What knowledge, skills, or resources will you need to activate your work toward a solution?
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Professional Development Events
The Fellowship will take place across six professional development events in Spring 2020:
- February 1
- February 28
- March 14
- April 11
- May 2
- May 23