Fellowship Program

Apply now to be a Literacy Launch Institute Fellow for the 2025–2026 school year!

HILL for Literacy, in collaboration with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), is seeking a dynamic and culturally, linguistically, and geographically diverse Massachusetts cohort of educators to serve as Literacy Launch Institute Fellows.

As part of the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s Literacy Launch Initiative, the Literacy Launch Institutes provide differentiated professional learning for educators teaching students from preschool to grade 3. These Institutes empower educators to implement high-quality, evidence-based, and culturally and linguistically sustaining early literacy practices that all students need. The Literacy Launch Institutes offer five tracks including Novice, Advanced, Preschool, School and District Leaders, and Educator Prep Program.

Fellows will serve as leaders, ambassadors, and advocates, promoting the mission of the Literacy Launch Institutes by preparing educators, district leaders, and educator preparation program faculty to support and implement evidence-based, culturally and linguistically sustaining early literacy practices.

In this role, Fellows will provide formative feedback, support Institute facilitation alongside lead facilitators, co-facilitate Community of Practice sessions, and help raise awareness of the Literacy Launch Institute in their communities.

Literacy Launch Institute Fellows will be hired for one year with the possibility to re-apply for future iterations of the Literacy Launch Institutes each year through the 2028-2029 school year.

Key Responsibilities

September 2025 – June 2026

Internalize the identified portion(s) of the Institute track content they are leading and submit a video recording to HILL for Literacy Staff that showcases the delivery of the content. Fellows may opt for a live virtual practice delivery with HILL for Literacy staff in lieu of submitting a video recording.
Attend a brief (approximately 30 minutes) virtual meeting with HILL for Literacy staff to receive feedback on the track content delivery. If Fellow opts for a live virtual practice delivery, this feedback session will occur directly after the live practice delivery.
Participate in real-time walkthroughs of the Winter Friday/Saturday and Summer Literacy Launch Institute content delivery with the lead facilitator (i.e., a dress rehearsal). The number of real-time walkthroughs may vary depending on the needs of the Fellows, however we anticipate holding 2-4 4-hour real-time walkthrough sessions.
Support the facilitation of in-person Literacy Launch Institute sessions during the summer of 2026 and during ongoing Friday/Saturday sessions in winter of 2026 including:
- Two two-day sessions to be conducted on Fridays & Saturdays for three months beginning in winter of 2026 (approximately 24 hours total across three months).
- One four-day Literacy Launch Institute session during late June 2026 (approximately 24 hours total across four days).
Engage in ongoing feedback cycles to provide local expertise and insight from the field to inform the continuous improvement of Literacy Launch Institute content. This work may occur both asynchronously and during ongoing synchronous meetings with HILL for Literacy staff after completion of the August Literacy Launch Institutes (approximately 8 hours).
Serve on a Community of Practice Planning Committee in an ongoing advisory capacity to support the development of ongoing virtual Community of Practice sessions (see below) and provide formative feedback on the application of Literacy Launch Institutes in the field (approximately 10 hours).
Co-facilitate 90-minute virtual Community of Practice sessions in collaboration with Literacy Launch Institute partners. These sessions are anticipated to begin in October 2025 and occur every six weeks until May 2026 for a total of six sessions. Fellows will begin supporting these sessions at the second meeting held in December.

Required Qualifications

Current, in-service Massachusetts public school or educator preparation program educator
Strong background in evidence-based early literacy practices with a commitment to centering culturally and linguistically sustaining instruction and fostering inclusive learning environments.
Proven ability to communicate effectively, collaborate, and provide actionable feedback to improve educational content and delivery.
Experience with leading or co-facilitating professional development in early literacy.
Dedication to enhancing the impact of Literacy Launch Institutes throughout the Commonwealth.

Preferred Qualifications

M.Ed. in Special Education, Reading Specialist, Early Childhood, or other specialized areas related to early literacy instruction.
At least 3 years of experience in a teaching or leadership role that involved participating and/or facilitating professional development in the area of early literacy. Examples of related experience may include (but are not limited to) the following:
Strong familiarity with the Mass Literacy Guide and MA ELA Curriculum Frameworks
Deep knowledge of and experience implementing MTSS in early literacy to support the implementation of effective early literacy instruction, assessment, and data-based decision making to support the needs of all students.

Benefits

Fellows will receive a stipend of $4,000 and PDPs for completing the key responsibilities outlined for September 2025-June 2026.

How To Apply

All interested candidates should fill out the Fellow Application Google Form. Please upload your resume and cover letter in that form. In your cover letter, please address the following prompts:

What expertise do you have in supporting the implementation of high-quality, evidence-based, and culturally and linguistically sustaining early literacy practices in the classroom?
What experience do you have in developing and facilitating professional development in the area of early literacy?
How do you plan to promote interest in the Literacy Launch Institutes amongst your colleagues and community members to spread awareness and increase educator participation in the Institutes?

HILL for Literacy and DESE are committed to centering the voices of those who have been historically marginalized in public education and strongly encourage Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, other educators of color, and members of other historically marginalized groups to apply.

Apply Now

Please submit your application by the end of day Friday October 10, 2025. Please be prepared for a 30-minute interview within the coming weeks.