Frequently ASked Questions
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Our top two priorities for teachers are that
(1) their expertise is considered a critical part of education development which is not only acknowledged – but prioritized.
(2) they are compensated for their contributions at every step of the process.
Besides the opportunity to have your voice heard, we want to pay you fairly for the impact you have on education.
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Yes, membership will be completely free forever for all classroom educators, paraprofessionals, counselors, and support staff. No catch.
We believe finances should never be a barrier to democratic participation. In giving teachers a voice, we’re giving ALL teachers a voice.
Our funding comes from:
memberships for other stakeholder groups (administrators, community members, NGOs, etc.)
donations and investments from individuals and organizations who support teacher empowerment.
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As a free member, you get access to:
Pay for each time and in any way you contribute your expertise.
A platform to advocate for issues that matter to you as an educator.
Co-created teaching resources and tools.
The ability to request or to join local Town Halls and Co-Creation Labs.
Opportunities to be selected for expert panels on policy and curriculum.
The camaraderie of our community of educator advocates.
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We operate on the principle that teachers should be the primary architects of education reform and development. Instead of doing education policy, curriculum, and research for teachers, we create structured ways for them to be done with and by teachers.
By creating opportunities that are as accessible as possible, we are building a democratic method for educators to engage with the teaching field.
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1. Explore a Partnership Opportunity
Whether you’re an educator, an administrator, a legislator, or an organizational lead – you can find a pathway to partner with us on our partnership page.
2. Spread the Word
It means a lot when we encounter teachers and community members who are aligned with our mission to support educators as experts. When you share us with the educators in your life, it expands our potential impact. -
No. While our mission and values often align with those of teacher unions, TEAL is not a union.
Unions focus on the crucial work of winning teachers’ the working conditions necessary for them to thrive.
TEAL focuses on professional empowerment: we provide the platform and support for educators to directly shape the systems, tools, and policies that define their practice, turning their experiential knowledge into actionable solutions.
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No. TEAL is not a lobbying organization.
We don't advocate for specific policies; we advocate for teacher-led processes.
Our mission is to ensure teachers' voices are included in education development. We don't tell teachers what to support – we listen to what they already support and amplify those voices directly to decision-makers.
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Our "squiggle" logo is a symbol of our community:
The Shape: Resembling a whiteboard doodle, it reflects the collaborative, hands-on spirit of education.
The Figures: The line forms three people linking arms, symbolizing how we unite to amplify our collective voice.
The Color: The varying shades of teal represent our commitment to equitable inclusion and elevating the voices of all teachers.