Teach to Lead FAQs
Q: If my team submits an application, will we automatically be accepted?
A: The selection process to attend a Teach to Lead Summit is competitive. All teams will be notified if they are accepted or not.
Q: What do you mean by a “dynamic team”?
A: We’re looking for teams with a high likelihood of implementing their projects. We believe dynamic teams are comprised of individuals with the expertise, authority, and perspective required to do the work effectively. There must be at least one teacher on each team.
Q: Can we bring more than 5 team members?
A: Typically, no more than 5 team members are allowed to attend. Additional team members may be accepted on a case-by-case basis.
Q: We’re excited that each team member’s lodging will be paid for. Do you have any ideas of how we can pay for our travel and food?
A: Teams report leveraging Title IIA funds, American Rescue Plan funds, and grant funds to cover the costs of airfare, ground transportation, and meals.
Q: Will you provide lunch each day?
A: We do not provide lunch; however, we do provide ample time for teams to break for lunch at nearby locations.
Q: What if some of my team members can’t attend the entire event?
A: We encourage you to select team members who can make the commitment to attend the full event. We discourage teams from applying if all team members can’t make the full commitment.
Q: What is a “critical friend”?
A: A critical friend is a skilled small-group facilitator who is tasked with guiding your team through the Teach to Lead journey. Individuals are recruited from the U.S. Department of Education, Regional Comprehensive Centers, and from other educational organizations. As often as possible, teams are paired with a critical friend who has subject matter expertise on the topic the team is focused on.
Q: What are we expected to accomplish by the end of the Summit?
A: All teams are expected to leave the event with a refined theory of action and logic model, a well-developed pitch, and a draft implementation plan. The culminating activity, a gallery walk, allows teams to pitch their ideas, network with peers, and gain insights into how other teams are approaching similar challenges.
Q: What should teams bring with them?
A: Each team member should bring a laptop or tablet, as participant materials are shared using Google drive. We also encourage teams to bring any visual materials that might be useful for the gallery walk (print outs of data visualizations, organizational logos, photographs or teachers or students). Finally, bring your business cards if you have them! There are a lot of opportunities to make connections with your peers.
Q: What should we wear to this event?
A: The “official” dress code is business casual. Participants may still decide to wear business attire. Some teams wear items that display their organizational logo.
Q: It says I will need to secure my hotel room using my own credit card. Will my card be charged?
A: We will settle the bill for your lodging during the summit. Your credit card will only be charged if you are staying outside the dates covered or if you charge additional expenses to your room. In the event you can’t attend the Summit, you are responsible for canceling your reservation. If you do not cancel, you will be charged for one night accommodation.
Q: Who serves as critical friends?
A: Critical friend volunteers are matched with participating teams to provide thought partnership, subject-matter expertise, and small-group facilitation to guide and support teams throughout the event. These individuals often represent Regional Comprehensive Centers, federally-funded technical assistance centers, and other organizations that support educators.