Application Guide

How to Apply for Texas Executive Director

at Teach Plus

🏢 About Teach Plus

Teach Plus is a national nonprofit that uniquely empowers experienced teachers to become leaders in policy and practice, driving equity and student success. Their focus on teacher voice and advocacy sets them apart, making it an ideal workplace for those passionate about systemic change in education.

About This Role

As the Texas Executive Director, you will lead the strategic vision and execution of initiatives that amplify teacher leadership across the state. This role is impactful because you'll directly shape policies and practices that improve outcomes for students, while building a network of funders and advocates to sustain this mission.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with a virtual check-in with your team to align on priorities, followed by a meeting with a potential funder to pitch Teach Plus's impact in Texas. You could spend the afternoon analyzing program data to refine strategy, then cap the day with a phone call with a teacher leader to discuss advocacy opportunities.

🎯 Who Teach Plus Is Looking For

  • A strategic leader with a proven track record of setting and evaluating local impact strategies using both quantitative and qualitative goals.
  • A skilled fundraiser capable of raising $350K-$2M annually, with experience in building and stewarding relationships with funders, coalitions, and donors.
  • An excellent people manager who can recruit, develop, and coach a diverse team to achieve ambitious goals.
  • A compelling communicator and storyteller who can inspire teachers, policymakers, and community members to take action for educational equity.

📝 Tips for Applying to Teach Plus

1

Highlight specific examples of how you have used data to drive strategy and measure impact in previous roles, especially in education or nonprofit settings.

2

Demonstrate your fundraising experience by detailing campaigns you led or contributed to, including dollar amounts and outcomes, particularly in Texas.

3

Showcase your ability to build coalitions by describing a time you united diverse stakeholders around a common goal, with emphasis on teacher advocacy.

4

Tailor your resume to emphasize people management and talent development, including metrics like retention rates or team growth.

5

Include a brief statement in your cover letter about why you are specifically passionate about Teach Plus's mission and how your values align with teacher leadership.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your commitment to educational equity and teacher leadership, with specific examples of how you have advanced these causes.', 'Your fundraising success, especially in Texas or similar contexts, and your ability to cultivate long-term donor relationships.', 'Your experience in strategic planning and execution, with concrete results that improved outcomes for students or educators.', 'Your leadership philosophy and how you have built and motivated teams to achieve ambitious goals.']

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • Review Teach Plus's current policy priorities and recent impact reports to understand their focus areas in Texas.
  • Study the Texas education landscape, including key policy debates, major stakeholders, and funding trends.
  • Learn about Teach Plus's teacher leadership programs and how they differ from other nonprofit models.
  • Identify current funders and partners of Teach Plus in Texas to understand the existing network.
Visit Teach Plus's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a time you set a strategic vision for an organization or program and how you measured its success.
2 How would you approach building a network of funders in Texas? Walk us through your strategy for raising $350K-$2M annually.
3 Tell us about a time you managed a difficult team situation. How did you coach individuals and maintain team morale?
4 How do you tailor your communication to inspire different audiences, such as teachers, policymakers, and donors?
5 What is your understanding of the current educational policy landscape in Texas, and how would you leverage teacher voice to influence it?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Avoid a generic application that doesn't reference Texas-specific education issues or Teach Plus's unique approach to teacher leadership.
  • Do not downplay the fundraising aspect; explicitly address your ability and comfort with raising significant funds.
  • Steer clear of vague leadership examples; use specific, quantifiable achievements that align with the job requirements.

📅 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!