What to Expect as a Civic Voices Fellow
Our fellows come from every industry, background, political party, and neighborhood, but are united by the belief that a free, excellent, and equitable public education is fundamental to the fabric of our democracy. At each monthly session (September-May), you will have the opportunity to build relationships with your cohort members, hear from stakeholders and practitioners, review current events and best practices, and explore existing or potential policy levers to eliminate disparities and improve student outcomes. Our regional cohorts in Dallas County and Tarrant County allow each fellow to learn and advocate alongside others in their community.
“I sincerely feel empowered because of my experience with Leadership ISD. The Fellowship gave me the knowledge, connections, and support to make positive changes for ALL students in Dallas County - and beyond! ”
— Aicha Davis, Texas SBOE Member District 13
Fellow Experience
Engage in Monthly Sessions
Our fellows hear from experts and discuss a variety of education-related topics to develop a deeper understanding of public education in Texas.
Complete Pre-Session Learning Opportunities
Our Civic Voices curriculum is designed to provide you with valuable context and perspective before each session.
Attend a School Board Meeting
Board meetings are held by school districts each month. Fellows are encouraged to attend board meetings in their home district.
Visit Local Schools
Campus visits highlight the incredible teachers and students in our public schools and are a great opportunity to acquire first-hand knowledge of classrooms.
Participate on an Action Team
Our fellows put what they are learning into practice advocating for policies and practices that eliminate disparities and improve student outcomes.
Sample Topics
State of Education
Leveraging Our Human Capital
Race, Poverty, and Equity in Education
Power and Influence in Education
Unraveling the School Finance Web
Complexities of Assessment & Accountability
Current Local Policies/Issues
An Ideal Candidate for our Fellowship:
Passionately defends the potential of all kids
Has demonstrated leadership ability and commitment to civic engagement
Employs creativity and purposeful obstinance in the face of challenges
Views discomfort as a natural precursor to growth
Willingly explores the implications of race and poverty on educational outcomes
“It is pretty easy to say that you are a public school advocate. Learning how to be an effective one is an entirely different matter. Leadership ISD gave me the tools I need to be an effective advocate in a complex system. This is a life-changing experience.”
— Dr. Robert Rogers, Owner, Fort Worth Allergy and Asthma Associates
Session Dates
DALLAS COUNTY 2024-2025 SEMINAR DATES
September 27, 2024 | Orientation
September 28, 2024 | Session 1
October 25, 2024 | Session 2
November 15, 2024 | Session 3
January 31, 2025 | Session 4
February 28, 2025 | Session 5
March 28, 2025 | Session 6
April 25, 2025 | Session 7
May 16, 2025 | Session 8
TARRANT COUNTY 2024-2025 SEMINAR DATES
September 20, 2024 | Orientation
September 21, 2024 | Session 1
October 18, 2024 | Session 2
November 8, 2024 | Session 3
January 24, 2025 | Session 4
February 21, 2025 | Session 5
March 21, 2025 | Session 6
April 25, 2025 | Session 7
May 9, 2025 | Session 8
* Monthly seminar sessions are generally 9 am - 4 pm with lunch provided.
Help us build a future where public education offers hope and opportunity to all children.
Program Tuition
Thanks to the generous support of our donors, we are able to offer our Civic Voices Fellowship at a reduced rate of $1,500.
*We are committed to removing cost as a barrier to participation in our fellowship programs. Many employers use professional development funds to sponsor their employees participating in our programs. Additionally, Leadership ISD offers a limited number of need-based scholarships covering up to 80% of the full tuition rate. Current classroom teachers automatically qualify for a $500 scholarship.
Apply for our Fellowship
We are currently accepting applications for our 2024-2025 cohorts in Dallas and Tarrant Counties through June 1. Please email info@leadershipisd.org if you have any questions.