NIET Fellows Program 2025 - 2026

The NIET Fellows Program is a one-year opportunity for teacher leaders in K-12 school systems. The program is designed to provide teacher leaders with opportunities to deepen their knowledge of NIET’s systems of improvement in order to more effectively support the work taking place within and beyond their school and district. The next cohort of fellows will begin the program in Summer 2025. Through the NIET Fellows Program, candidates will BUILD their skills to advance educator effectiveness by:

• Building a strong foundational understanding of leadership best practices
• Understanding how leadership structures provide opportunities to grow and support their own learning and the learning of their colleagues
• Increasing foundational perspective and understanding of the role successful distributed leadership plays
• Learning how instructional practices lead to positive change in districts and schools
• Deepening their instructional skills and their abilities to coach others

Fellowship Responsibilities

Over the course of the year-long fellowship, July 2025 - June 2026, fellows will take on a variety of responsibilities through which they will engage in multiple types of professional development. Fellows will:

• Deepen their knowledge of NIET’s systems of improvement
• Attend a five day in person Boot Camp from July 14-18, 2025
• Shadow NIET Senior Specialists providing support to other districts regionally for up to five days during the school year
• Attend virtual learning experiences throughout the program year
• Write one blog post that will be used on NIET’s social media
• Create one video that contributes to the field of teacher leadership
• Assist with and attend the NIET National Conference
• Assist with and attend NIET Summer Institute (NSI)
• Provide feedback to NIET on the NIET Fellows Program

Fellows are expected to attend all in person events including:

• Fellows Boot Camp, July 14-18, 2025
• NIET National Conference, February or March 2026
• NSI, June 2026

Fellowship Structure

• Fellows will maintain their employment as a full-time district employee (including salary and benefits aligned with their district’s salary schedule and structure), while being released from their district to participate in the program activities throughout the year.
• Travel costs associated with required program travel will be covered by NIET.
• Each fellow will receive a $7,500 stipend from NIET for their participation.

Fellows Cohort of 2025-2026

1. Carin Hart, Alhambra Elementary School District, Arizona
2. Danielle Helem, Tempe Elementary Schools, Arizona
3. Emma Clay, Springdale Public Schools, Arkansas
4. Jacinda Mapes, Hamilton Southeastern Schools, Indiana
5. Jamie Claywell, Nettle Creek School Corporation, Indiana
6. Molly Fritz, Saydel Community School District, Iowa
7. Breann Lavergne, Calcasieu Parish School Board, Louisiana
8. Candace Shaidaee, Livingston Parish Public Schools, Louisiana
9. Dominique O’Conner, South Baton Rouge Charter Academy, Louisiana
10. Cherie Tan, Oak Ridge Schools, Tennessee
11. Marco De La Rosa, Southwest Independent School District, Texas
12. Michelle Esquivel, South San Antonio Independent School District, Texas

If you have any questions, take a look at this FAQ Page or send an email to fellows@niet.org.