TALI Advocacy

The Teacher Advocacy Leadership Institute (TALI) is a year-long fellowship for educators from public charter schools. TALI gives teachers from across the state the opportunity to connect with policy and advocacy experts and elected officials in order to strengthen their individual leadership skills and to learn how to become effective advocates for students and families.

TALI fellows receive monthly training that prepares them to elevate their voices and make a lasting impact. They write op-eds, testify at legislative hearings, and share their stories directly with lawmakers. The fellowship also brings together a community of teacher advocates who support each other’s work and share strategies as they fight on behalf of great public schools for all Texas children.

Contact Shreé Medlock, Vice President of Strategic Engagement

Charter schools enable teachers to…

Prepare students for future successes. Teachers at charter schools prepare students to achieve strong academic outcomes and succeed in college and beyond.

Meet students’ unique learning needs. Teachers at charter schools give each student personal attention to meet them where they are.

Have the flexibility to use creative teaching methods. Teachers at charter schools use creative approaches to tailor teaching to best suit students’ needs.

Bring innovation to public schools. Teachers at charter schools are always working to develop innovative ways to teach every student in ways they learn best.

Bring passion to teaching young people. Teachers at charter schools are passionate, committed educators who can give students the great education they deserve.

Receive support to grow as adult learners. Teachers at charter schools gain valuable skills and knowledge that equip them to give students a high-quality education.

Meet the 2020-2021 Fellows and Coaches

Austin

Alexa Burdett, Austin Achieve Public Schools

Amanda Griffin, Meridian World School

Ara Duke, IDEA - Rundberg Public Schools

Catherine Gilkey, Harmony Public Schools

Joseph Frilot, IDEA Public Schools

Judy Moore, Austin Achieve Middle School

Lesley Williams, Goodwater Montessori Public Charter School

Liane Kerkman, Wayside: Sci-Tech High School

Meagan Holmes, Ki Charter Academy

Wendy Riley, Meridian World School

Dallas and Fort Worth

Ariele Kenney, Great Hearts Lakeside

Jamie Thompson-Griffin, Lumin Lindsley Park Community School

Leslie Cook, Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts

Marquez Davis, KIPP Pleasant Grove Primary

Oliver Perez, Inspired Vision Elementary School

El Paso

Cristina Ortiz, Howard Burnham Elementary

James Hamilton, DaVinci Charter School

Jose Rivera, Vista del Futuro

Houston

Alicia Williams, KIPP Prime College Preparatory

Edwin Munoz, George I. Sanchez Charter School

Javier Herrera, Houston STEM & Early College Middle and Early College High School

Kimberly Burks, Harmony School of Fine Arts & Technology

Rebecca Gieskes, YES Prep - Northside

Trina Crithen-Graham, Beatrice Mayes Institute

San Antonio

Christopher West, Great Hearts Monte Vista North

Katherine Aten, The Gathering Place

Mary Lutka, School of Science & Technology

Rio Grande Valley

Scott Frank, IDEA Frontier College Prep

Coaches

Brandi Braley, Legacy Prep
Cohort 2

Cristina Correa, IDEA
Cohort 1

Brooke Lucero, Great Hearts
Cohort 1

Mark Rogers, Austin Achieve
Cohort 2

Tamira Samuel, YES Prep
Cohort 2