Big Picture Learning and Internationals Network for Public Schools are proud to announce the third cohort of the Deeper Learning Equity Fellowship, made up of sixteen emerging leaders who will dedicate a significant portion of the next two years to addressing issues of education inequity in their local communities. This cohort joins a group of 30 Equity Fellows already steeped in this important work.

“We knew going into this work that all students could benefit from deeper learning practices and instruction - in which learners are constantly motivated and challenged and are able to apply their learning to real life and real experiences,” states Carlos Moreno, Co-Director of the Fellowship and Co-Executive Director of Big Picture Learning. “However, we also know that equitable access to such opportunities is not always available to traditionally underserved populations, such as youth in poverty and English Language learners.”

Thus far, through projects overseen by Cohorts 1 and 2, the Deeper Learning Equity Fellows have -- among other things -- identified the emergence of bilingual populations impacted by New York City’s universal Pre-K coverage and signaled the importance of rethinking teacher education programs to equip and prepare new educators for the complexity of preparing students to meet 21st century challenges.

“Our collective commitment to equity unites us in a very timely struggle,” adds Claire Sylvan, Co-Director of the Fellowship and Founding Director of Internationals Network for Public Schools. “The Equity Fellows will play a pivotal role as America struggles to address long-standing issues of discrimination based on race, ethnicity, language, gender, sexual orientation, disability and poverty.”

The Equity Fellows are supported in their projects by nationally recognized mentors -- like Linda Darling-Hammond, Christopher Emdin, Deborah Jewell-Sherman, and more -- who will guide them on their journeys to right educational wrongs. Inevitably, the fellows will face obstacles and barriers to their work. Equity Fellow Mentors are well-positioned to provide guidance, focus, advice and expertise through the course of the fellowship.

Thanks to the support of ECMC Foundation, the Equity Fellows will convene on at least three occasions during the course of their work. “We are honored to support the important work of the Deeper Learning Equity Fellows,” states Kyle Miller, senior program director, ECMC Foundation. “We’ve already witnessed the important impact that previous Equity Fellow cohorts are having on their communities and anticipate with enthusiasm the similar impacts that Cohort 3 Fellows will have in the spaces in which they work, learn, and live.”

Download the full release here.