Early Childhood Policy Fellowship
Today’s systems leaders need and deserve a dedicated space to exchange knowledge with their peers, generate innovative ideas, reflect on and refine their work, and receive personal and professional leadership coaching. Over time, this investment in leadership can open up new possibilities for innovation and change that lead to the development of equitable systems that deliver high-quality support to all families.
In this effort, Bank Street is currently recruiting for the second cohort of its Early Childhood Policy Fellowship, a professional learning opportunity designed to support systems leaders as they advance key priorities in their agencies while strengthening their leadership. Leaders with at least 5-8 years of leadership experience who currently work in city, state, and regional offices or in related systems roles are encouraged to apply.
We aim for diversity of voice and lived experience that is inclusive and representative of the early childhood workforce and the communities they serve, including socioeconomic background, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation and physical ability. We believe effective systems change happens when representatives from all communities impacted, are owners, planners, and decision-makers guiding and reshaping all levels of our systems. Given this commitment, the selection process will prioritize applicants who have been historically excluded from policy leadership positions, especially leaders of Color including those who identify as Black, Indigenous, Asian, Latinx, Pacific Islanders and other People of Color.
This 10-month, hybrid, no-cost fellowship will begin in September 2023 and will allow participants to examine real-world challenges and problems of practice through a capstone project. Throughout the fellowship, leaders will build on their strengths and reflect on their practice while receiving job-embedded support from Bank Street staff and learning from experts in the field. Fellows will learn how to:
Apply systems thinking to explore how systems work and how actions taken can impact results over time - Analyze the complex landscape systems leaders must navigate to engage in purposeful actions that lead to change
- Examine how policy design supports developmentally meaningful and culturally responsive early learning environments for all young children
- Lead for equity by authentically engaging the communities they serve to ensure systems change reflects equitable practices and policies
