RISE INDY launches local educator narrative project

INDIANAPOLIS — RISE INDY, a local nonprofit advancing education justice within Indianapolis schools, today launched RISE INDY Teachers, a summer-long narrative project that will feature Indianapolis public school educators who want to share their experiences in the classroom with our local community.

The project will focus on the following issues:

  • Empowering caregivers to advocate for their students
  • Best practices to improve literacy rates in local public schools
  • The need for mental health support for educators and students
  • Funding schools equitably and making sure resources flow to the classroom
  • Training, recruiting, and retaining teachers of color
  • Ensuring schools and school leaders have the flexibility to meet the needs of their students

“Our local public school teachers have a lot on their plates during the school year. We’re hoping this project gives them an opportunity to reflect on their classroom experiences over the summer and share their stories with our community in a way that celebrates their profession and elevates their voices,” said RISE INDY President + CEO Jasmin Shaheed-Young. 

JASMINE SHAHEED-YOUNG
Jasmin Shaheed-Young

“We’re focusing this project on six issues we hear over and over is important to teachers and families, and we can’t wait to learn more from frontline educators about what’s working well and what could be improved within our local public schools.”

Teachers are invited to apply online at RiseIndyTeachers.com through the end of May; selected participants will be notified by mid-June. Participants will be compensated for their content, which can be written or in video format. 

RISE will feature content on its blog and social media platforms; educators, school leaders, and community members will be invited to an event this fall celebrating the culmination of the project.

Established in 2019, RISE INDY fights for education justice and opportunities for Indianapolis students by training and supporting bold leaders, holding them accountable for their policy decisions, and organizing a local network to improve our public schools.