2026-2027 Illinois Affinity Group Facilitator

Description

The Illinois Affinity Group Network seeks to cultivate authentic, inclusive, intersectional spaces, shaped by and for educators of Color. These affirming and supportive spaces, rooted in an asset-based understanding of diversity, will support educators in navigating and improving their school environments and will be connected to a larger network to build alliances and address systemic issues.

Each affinity group will be led by an affinity group facilitator who proposes an affinity group that is appropriate for their context. The affinity groups will meet at least monthly. Activities during affinity group meetings can include: building a supportive community through heart work & connection; providing professional ideas, support, advice & connection; identifying retention challenges in their districts. Affinity groups will also have access to a community building fund for their affinity group.

The affinity group facilitator will receive training and leadership coaching prior to and during the year that they are starting their affinity group. Affinity group facilitators from around the state will meet monthly in Professional Learning Communities, and they will receive a stipend at the end of the year in recognition of their leadership.

Eligibility Requirements

Please indicate that you meet all of these qualifications before proceeding:

I understand that Affinity Group facilitators will be current educators with a minimum of five years of experience at their current school/district by August, 2026.I understand that AG Facilitators will design, recruit, and facilitate an affinity group for educators for the 2026-27 school year (with support and guidance from a Teach Plus coach)I understand that the affinity groups will focus both on creating a safe, inclusive, intersectional supportive space and on improving retention for educators.

I meet the qualifications above and am ready to continue my application.

Our Kick-Off will be Saturday 8/1/26 and attendance is mandatory. Will you be able to attend?

*If you click Save my progress and resume later, the page will reload. Scroll down to "Resume later" and enter your email and a password. You will receive an email with a link to continue your application.

Page 1 of 3: Personal Information

Personal Information

First Name

Last Name

Street Address

City

State

Zip

Preferred Email Address Type

To ensure you receive Teach Plus communications promptly, we strongly recommend using a personal email address.

Work/School Email

Confirm Email Address

Personal Email

Confirm Email Address

Alternate Email

Primary Phone

Mobile Phone

How do you identify?

Select all that apply. To select multiple responses on a PC hold "Ctrl", on a Mac hold the Command key (next to the space bar).

Tribal Affiliation (Optional):

If "Ethnicity not listed" is selected, please specify

Gender Identity

If "Identity not listed" is selected, please specify

What pronouns do you use? For example: They/Them, She/Her, He/Him

Would you like to receive updates from Teach Plus?

Teach Plus Blog (highlighting teacher voice)

News Blast (weekly)

Teach Plus Illinois Monthly Newsletter

*If you click Save my progress and resume later, the page will reload. Scroll down to "Resume later" and enter your email and a password. You will receive an email with a link to continue your application.

Page 2 of 3: Teaching Information

Teaching Information

Are you a current teacher?

What is your current role?

If "Other", please explain

Which county do you currently teach in?

Please select the County in which your school facility is located, regardless of school type.

County Text

Which school do you currently serve?

Please use the search bar to find your school name from the directory. Please use multiple attempts by trying different iterations (i.e., "ML," "King," "Martin Luther") as directory listings may not always match common usage.

My school is not listed

I do not work at a school

School Not listed?

Does not work at school?

School Name

School Address

City

State

Zip

District

School Type

If "Other" School Type, please explain

RCDTS Code (if applicable)

If you serve in a CPS school, what network?

Only answer if you chose District 299/CPS for "District"

If "Not Listed/Other", please explain

What grade(s) are you currently teaching or supporting?

Hold control (PC) or command (Mac) to select multiple grades

What is/are the primary subject(s) you are currently teaching or supporting?

Hold control (PC) or command (Mac) to select multiple subjects

Other Subject(s)

Years of work experience in education you have completed (including this school-year)

Are you a member of a union?

If yes, please enter union name here.

Beyond your formal job duties, what other roles or work do you lead or facilitate within or outside of your district/school?

What other roles or work do you anticipate participating in during the upcoming school year? (examples: starting/working toward a graduate degree, leading a committee, facilitating professional development external to your school/district)

How did you hear about this opportunity?

Please specify how you heard.

Which of the following education organizations are you affiliated with?

Select all that apply. To select multiple responses on a PC hold "Ctrl", on a Mac hold the Command key (next to the space bar).

Have you been awarded State/Regional Teacher of the Year?

For which State/Region?

Please provide the year(s) you were State/Regional Teacher of the Year.

*If you click Save my progress and resume later, the page will reload. Scroll down to "Resume later" and enter your email and a password. You will receive an email with a link to continue your application.

Page 3 of 3: Essay Questions & Resume

Each Affinity Group leader will design an affinity group that is appropriate for their context and environment. For example, affinity groups could support:

• All Latinx educators in a given district

• Black female STEM teachers in Chicago

• All educators of color in a specific regional area

Does your district or school currently have an affinity group(s) for educators?

If yes, does your district/school have a process for selecting educators to facilitate affinity groups for educators?

Have you informed your district or school administrator that you are applying to become an affinity group facilitator? Note: Administrator approval is not required for this program.

What group of educators would you be most interested in supporting? Please include what identity markers (race, gender, content) and what geographic area you are interested in. NOTE - this is not a binding answer! We just want to see what you are thinking about right now. If you are already facilitating affinity groups, please describe the current composition. (50 words max.)

Essay Questions

For the three questions below, we are offering two options for completing them:

• Complete them in written format in space provided below.

• Submit a video response to each of the questions. If you choose this option, please add a link to the video in the response box.

Note–all of these options will be evaluated by the same standards and there are no advantages to any format. We are trying to make this application as accessible as possible to all applicants.

1. Why are you interested in this program? Tell us how your values align with this program and your interests. (250 words / 3 minutes)

2. What are your beliefs about building solidarity across lines of difference (racial, ethnic, gender, etc.)? Tell us about a time when you were able to bring your beliefs to action. Be sure to share enough detail to show alignment between your beliefs and actions. (250-500 words; 3-6 minutes)

3. Describe how the affinity group you want to lead will meet the need for supportive spaces to allow educators to build solidarity, community, and improve teacher retention in your district, group of districts, or other context. Why do you believe you are uniquely positioned to lead the affinity group you are proposing? (250-500 words / 3-6 minutes)

Resume

Your resume should succinctly (two pages or less) tell the story of how your related experiences, informal and formal leadership experience, and your accomplishments make you a great candidate for the fellowship. If you do not have a current resume, here are some resources to help you build this useful professional tool:

Article on what to include in your resume (new teachers vs. those with many years experience)

ResumeGenius - a free on-line resume builder

Google Docs Resume Templates

Microsoft Word Resume Templates

Please upload your resume in PDF format.

*If you click Save my progress and resume later, the page will reload. Scroll down to "Resume later" and enter your email and a password. You will receive an email with a link to continue your application.