Application Guide

How to Apply for Michigan Manager of Policy and Programs

at Teach Plus

🏢 About Teach Plus

Teach Plus is a national nonprofit uniquely focused on empowering experienced teachers to lead policy and practice changes from the classroom outward. Unlike many education advocacy groups, Teach Plus places teacher voice at the center, offering a rare opportunity to directly coach educators into becoming powerful advocates for equity and student success.

About This Role

This role leads the Michigan Policy Fellowship, designing and facilitating programming that trains teachers to influence state education policy. You'll coach teachers on writing op-eds, delivering testimony, and organizing communities, while also building strategic relationships with policymakers and coalitions to advance Teach Plus Michigan's policy agenda.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with virtual check-ins with your Policy Fellows, coaching a teacher on drafting testimony for a Senate committee hearing. Afternoon could involve analyzing program data to refine the fellowship curriculum, followed by a call with a coalition partner to align on upcoming legislation. You'll also spend time researching Michigan policy proposals and preparing resources for fellows.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Teach Plus Is Looking For

  • A former classroom teacher (preferably in Michigan) with 5–7+ years in education or policy who understands the realities of teaching and can relate to fellowship participants.
  • Experienced in education policy and legislative advocacy, with a proven ability to coach others in writing op-eds, preparing testimony, and organizing grassroots advocacy.
  • Deep knowledge of Michigan's college- and career-readiness policies, systems, and pathways, including the Michigan Merit Curriculum and postsecondary success measures.
  • A strong program manager who has designed and scaled programs with measurable impact, comfortable using data to drive continuous improvement.

📝 Tips for Applying to Teach Plus

1

In your resume, highlight specific Michigan policy wins you've contributed to (e.g., literacy initiatives, teacher retention bills) and quantify impact (e.g., 'led coalition that secured $5M for teacher mentorship').

2

Tailor your cover letter to show you understand Teach Plus's model: teacher-led advocacy. Describe a time you coached or mentored a teacher to take a policy action.

3

Mention familiarity with key Michigan education organizations (e.g., Michigan Department of Education, Michigan Association of School Boards) and current policy debates (e.g., third-grade reading law, school funding reform).

4

If you have classroom teaching experience, lead with it and connect it to your policy work. Teach Plus values teacher voice above all.

5

Include a writing sample that demonstrates your ability to craft persuasive policy arguments, such as an op-ed or testimony you've written or coached.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your commitment to equity and student success, with specific examples of how you've advanced equity through policy or program work.", 'Your experience designing and facilitating adult learning programs, especially for teachers, and how you engage diverse participants.', 'Your ability to build relationships with policymakers and coalitions, citing a specific partnership or advocacy win in Michigan.', 'Your data-driven approach to program improvement, with an example of how you used data to refine a program or advocacy strategy.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review Teach Plus's national policy priorities (e.g., teacher leadership, equity in funding) and their Michigan-specific agenda, including recent campaigns and reports.
  • → Read the Michigan Policy Fellowship curriculum or past fellow testimonials on the Teach Plus website to understand the program structure and outcomes.
  • → Familiarize yourself with key Michigan education policy players: the state board of education, current legislation like the School Aid Act, and major advocacy groups (e.g., Michigan Education Association, Education Trust-Midwest).
  • → Learn about Teach Plus's theory of change and how they measure success (e.g., teacher retention, policy adoption).
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you design a policy fellowship session that helps teachers translate classroom experiences into policy recommendations?
2 Tell us about a time you coached a teacher to write an op-ed or deliver testimony. What was the outcome?
3 What do you see as the top education policy priority in Michigan right now, and how would you engage teachers in advocating for it?
4 Describe a program you scaled. How did you measure its impact and what adjustments did you make based on data?
5 How do you build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders (e.g., rural vs. urban districts, legislative offices, union leaders)?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't focus solely on your own policy achievements without showing how you've empowered others (especially teachers). Teach Plus values teacher voice over personal lobbying.
  • Avoid generic policy jargon without Michigan-specific context. Demonstrate knowledge of Michigan's unique policy landscape.
  • Don't overlook the program management aspect. This role is as much about logistics and data as it is about advocacy.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Teach Plus!

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