Equity Educator Fellowship Program

A teacher in a brown blazer assists a student in a beanie and vest as they work on assembling a blue robotic model at a classroom table, emphasizing skills that support future employment, with tools and computer equipment around them.

A group photo from one of the Seattle Black Educator Socials events.

Photo of a high school teacher from the Downtown School.

A teacher helps a student learn to use a computer.

A young boy with glasses smiles at the camera while holding a pencil at his desk in a classroom. A woman next to him, possibly employed as his teacher, helps with his work. The background shows classroom decorations and a smartboard.

A high school teacher lectures to his students.

A person wearing glasses and a light hoodie smiles while using a laptop in a classroom filled with tablets and educational posters about employment on the wall behind them.

A teacher in a striped shirt gestures while talking to a student, discussing employment opportunities as the student holds an open book in a classroom with posters and large windows in the background.

A group of about 40 adults of diverse backgrounds, smiling and posing together indoors in several rows at a BIPOC Voices event, some seated on the floor and others standing behind them, all wearing name tags.

A young girl wearing glasses and a Mickey Mouse sweatshirt works on a project with a young man who is pointing at a paper, possibly discussing employment skills. They are seated at a table with craft supplies, pencils, and a yellow water bottle.

A teacher sits beside a young girl at a desk, helping her with a worksheet. The teacher points to the paper while the girl holds a pencil, highlighting the importance of education in preparing students for future employment. Educational materials fill the background.

Work in our member schools!

Based on the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction OSPI State Report for the 2019-2020 academic year, students of color comprised approximately 48% of the total student population. However, only 12% of all teachers were teachers of color. This underrepresentation fails to provide students of color with the opportunity to see themselves reflected in their educators.

Therefore, in response to the need for increased diversity within the teaching profession, People of Color in Independent Schools (POCIS) Northwest is hosting the Equity Fellowship Program in independent schools. This initiative aims to create a sustainable pipeline of future educators from local communities by:

Removing barriers for new teachers entering the profession

Inviting teachers into independent schools

Supporting prospective teachers throughout their education

A table showing student and teacher race/ethnicity in 2019-20. It lists percentages for American Indian/Alaskan Native, Asian/Pacific Islander, Black, Hispanic/Latinx, Multiracial, and White for students and employment of teachers.

Virtual Information Session

for POCIS NW member schools who may want to participate in the Equity Fellowship Program

TBA

How does this program work?

Participating POCIS Northwest schools offer a full-time paid teaching associate position (salary determined by the participating school) and up to $10,000 per year toward tuition for an aspiring BIPOC educator enrolled full-time in a qualified teaching certification/master’s program.

There is no commitment from the Fellows to continue with their school after completion of the program. Fellows are welcome to apply for open positions at any independent or public school of their choosing. This Fellowship aims to deliver to the greater good in BIPOC representation in education settings.

A teacher wearing glasses stands and talks to a group of smiling children in a classroom, discussing employment as students gather in a circle, with colorful posters on the wall in the background.

Participating Schools

To inquire about open positions or to learn more, please click on logos below to contact specific schools.

For interested schools, we welcome your participation at any time. Please contact pocis@pocisnorthwest.org.