ESSER Archives

Application Process

The Community Leaders Fellowship empowers school district teams, including administrators, teachers, parents, and community leaders, to strengthen public education leadership in their hometowns. All Texas school districts are eligible to apply for this inaugural cohort, which brings together diverse stakeholders to shape the future of their local districts.

Applications open on Wednesday, October 8, 2025.
Early Bird deadline is December 1, 2025; final deadline for consideration is January 5, 2026.
Virtual interviews will be scheduled with up to 20 school districts as needed.
Cohort offers will be made by Monday, January 12, 2026.

Selection Process

When applying to the Fellowship, any teams accepted into the Community Leaders Fellowship commit to not announcing their participation in the Fellowship until after Raise Your Hand Texas has made its public announcement on Wednesday, January 21, 2026.

Contact Information

Contact Amy Dodson, at adodson@ryht.org.

Application

For the best experience, complete this form on a desktop computer.

Your Contact Information

Applicant's Email(Required)

Applicant's Phone Number(Required)

What school district do you represent?

School District(Required)

Other School District(Required)

TEA classifies Texas public school districts into community types using factors such as enrollment, growth in enrollment, economic status, and proximity to urban areas. These community types, or “district types,” group districts into eight categories ranging from major urban to rural. Charter school districts make up a ninth category. View the current TEA listing of all Texas public school districts (opens in new window).

Find Your District’s Classification ➜

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School District TEA Classification(Required)

Who is your Superintendent?

Superintendent's Name(Required)

Superintendent's Email(Required)

Superintendent email required for signature request.

Superintedent's Phone Number

Serving as Superintendent Since

Optional, not required.

Does your Superintendent have a webpage?

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Link to the Superintendent's webpage

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Board of Trustees

Does the Board of Trustees have a webpage?

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Board of Trustee Webpage

Who is currently serving on the Board of Trustees?

Community Leaders Fellowship teams will consist of 7-10 people from your community, including some from the school district and others from outside the schools. Please share the names of the first 4 members of your team.

ISD Roles:

Superintendent, School Board Trustee, Principal/Assistant Principal, Teacher, Special Education Teacher/Staff, Counselor/Librarian, Central Office Administrator/Staff, ISD Support Staff (e.g., Transportation, Maintenance), Other ISD Role

ISD Team Member 1 – Name(Required)

ISD Team Member 2 – Name(Required)

Community Roles:

Parent/Guardian (Non-ISD Employee), Business Leader/Owner, Non-Profit/Community Organization Leader, Local Government/Elected Official (Non-ISD), Higher Education Faculty/Staff, Retired Educator/Administrator, Faith-Based Organization Leader, Community Activist/Advocate, Other Community Member

Community Team Member 1 – Name(Required)

Community Team Member 2 – Name(Required)

Which statement best describes your school district’s relationship with advocacy? (select one)

You have selected “Other”, please describe your district’s experience:

Other, If none of these descriptions fit, please describe your district’s experience:(Required)

What interests you about joining the Community Leaders Fellowship?

What interests you about joining the Community Leaders Fellowship?(Required)

What else should we know? (Please provide written and/or video feedback)

What else should we know?

File

Drop files here or

Max. file size: 50 MB.

Please note there is one final step required to complete your application before it is fully accepted and ready for review by Raise Your Hand Texas before virtual interviewees are selected.

All ISD superintendents must be aware of and acknowledge the application process and submission.
You will receive a unique link that requires your superintendent’s signature. This electronic form will be sent to the email address provided by the person who completed the application for the team.

Is your school district willing to provide Raise Your Hand Texas with access to the district’s ESSER plan and actual experiences, results, and data?

ESSER

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Application Process

Applications open on Wednesday, October 8, 2025.
Early Bird deadline is December 1, 2025; final deadline for consideration is January 5, 2026.
Virtual interviews will be scheduled with up to 20 school districts as needed.
Cohort offers will be made by Monday, January 12, 2026.

Selection Process

Contact Information

Application

Board of Trustees

ISD Roles:

Community Roles:

Request More Information

Send a contact request to your local RAD.