We empower excellent, experienced, & diverse teachers to take leadership over key policy & practice issues that advance equity, opportunity, & student success.
Philadelphia, PA
Joined July 2018
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🌟 Teacher Leader Spotlight: Meet Saphira Okoth!
A 4th grade teacher at Richard R. Wright School in @PHLschools, Saphira is a passionate literacy advocate and Teach Plus PA Policy Fellow.
Learn how Teacher Leaders shape education policy: teachplus.org/regional_progr…
ALT A blue Teach Plus Pennsylvania Teacher Leader Spotlight graphic featuring Saphira Okoth, smiling and wearing a navy blue blouse. Large white text reads “Teacher Leader Spotlight: Inspiring Students.” A chalkboard-style panel reads: “Saphira Okoth, Policy Fellow,” followed by three bullet points: “4th grade teacher at Richard R. Wright Elementary in Philadelphia,” “An active literacy advocate,” and “Proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.” The Teach Plus Pennsylvania Policy Fellowship logo appears at the bottom of the panel, and the Teach Plus logo appears in the lower-right corner.
This is what belonging looks like. 💚
Last week, educators from across Southwestern PA gathered in Pittsburgh for BEAM's Rooted in Belonging kickoff!
An evening of connection, community, and celebration. Take a look at some of our favorite moments! 🧵👇
#BEAMNetwork
Belonging happens when educators come together to share experiences, build relationships, and support one another.
Through conversations and collaborative activities, BEAM is strengthening a community dedicated to helping educators of color thrive. 💚
#EducatorBelonging
We are so excited to join @paneedsteachers for their 5th annual Summit & Day of Action. Emphasis on ACTION. Will we see you there?
Will we see YOU in Harrisburg on November 10 for our annual Summit & Day of Action? If you're an educator, you won't want to miss it.
Registration closes THIS Friday, 10/30 👉 paneedsteachers.com/2026summ…
@TeachPlusPA
Teach Plus PA retweeted
WATCH: On "Rooted & Rising in PA," hosted by @TeachPlusPA alumnae Rhonda Threet & Ebonie Lamb, PA Program Director Aaron Johnson highlights the role of leaders in retaining educators: “Having that type of support is very important to any idea of change.”
youtube.com/watch?v=dV2KCypH…
What if teachers could grow as leaders without leaving the classroom?
Our team visited Arizona schools exploring new ways to support teachers and students. We're bringing those ideas back to PA!
Exciting updates ahead. Sign up: cm.teachplus.org/h/r/F454910…
ALT Three Teach Plus Pennsylvania staff members smile for a selfie outdoors in Arizona. From left to right are Laura Boyce, wearing a gray HOKA T-shirt with blue and white lettering; Sharaé Curd, wearing a black top, black-and-white striped blazer, and blue lanyard; and Michelle Gainer, wearing a sleeveless light pink turtleneck. Palm trees, a modern building, and distant mountains are visible in the background.
Teach Plus PA retweeted
.@TeachPlusPA alumna Kimberly Tesluk on the importance of evidence-based teaching for literacy: “We really want to make sure [literacy curriculum] is evidence based and that it’s going to be effective with our students.”
citizensvoice.com/2026/10/05…
PA teachers, where could your credit card points take you? ✈️
Join us Nov. 17 at 4:30 PM for tips on earning and redeeming travel rewards with former educator Brian Siveman of Award Magic.
Register: teachplus.org/educators-who-…
Proud to stand alongside the @paliteracy and 50+ advocates at the Capitol for Dyslexia Awareness Month! 💙
A special shoutout to Teach Plus Pennsylvania Teacher Leaders Jessica Werntz and Jenn McElwain for helping elevate teacher voices.
When kids read, PA succeeds!
Students, families, teachers, and advocates showed up at the PA Capitol for Dyslexia Awareness Month. 💙
Thank you for raising your voices for every child's opportunity to learn to read.
Stay involved: cm.teachplus.org/h/r/D1C00CE…
#PALiteracy #DyslexiaAwarenessMonth
Fewer distractions. More opportunities to learn and connect.
Teach Plus Pennsylvania applauds the bipartisan passage of legislation restricting cell phone use during the school day.
An important step toward classrooms where students can focus and teachers can teach.
BREAKING: The PA House and Senate just officially passed a bell-to-bell ban to get cell phones out of our classrooms.
I called for this in my Budget Address and repeatedly urged the legislature to act — and now, we've brought Democrats and Republicans together to get this done for our students and our educators.
It's time to get back to the basics in school and let our kids be kids.
173 Philly educators gathered for Rooted & Radiant!💙
PAGN's 30+ affinity groups build community to support educators of color. Thank you, Ray Fields and Dr. Letisha Laws, for an inspiring kickoff.
Join PAGN: teachplus.org/regional_progr…
#PhillyTeachers
From shared meals to new connections, the evening was all about building community and supporting educators of color across Philadelphia.
As one attendee put it: “The energy was contagious.”
#PhillyTeachers
Are you a Philly K–12 educator who wants to support educators of color? Find your community in PAGN!
Learn more and join: teachplus.org/regional_progr…
#PhillyTeachers
Teach Plus PA retweeted
Thank you to the PA Literacy Coalition for creating and offering these incredible resources about literacy legislation in PA, Act 47, with resources that inform (Act 47 At A Glance) and offer a checklist for Act 47 Implementation.
If you have not joined the PA Literacy Coalition, here is your opportunity! Join over 90 (yes 90!) organizations from throughout PA who have joined together to advance the right ALL have to be literate in Pennsylvania!
Access these substantive resources here: paliteracy.org/data-and-reso… and join the PA Literacy Coalition, here: paliteracy.org/
Thank @TeachPlusPA and Rachel Garnick for your steadfast leadership!!! @paliteracy
Meet Dr. Donna L. Ervin! 🍎
A Pittsburgh 1st-grade teacher and Teach Plus PA alumna, Donna now helps build community as a BEAM Network facilitator.
Learn more about BEAM at our Oct. 22 kickoff in Pittsburgh!
Register: teachplus.org/rooted-in-belo…
We’ll be at the Capitol with @paliteracy on Oct. 21 for Dyslexia Awareness Month. Join us to advocate for the training and resources teachers need to bring effective reading instruction to every Pennsylvania school. Register in the post below.
For too long and for too many children, reading support has arrived too late.
Join us 10/21 in Harrisburg to change that.
We're standing alongside @pabranchida, @ReadingLeaguePA, and @DDPA_12.
Register Here: paliteracy.org/events/dyslex…
Teach Plus PA retweeted
Last year, we reimagined teaching.
This year, we act. 🍎
Join us November 10 in Harrisburg to learn, collaborate, and advocate for policies that can make teaching a more sustainable career.
Register Today: paneedsteachers.com/2026summ…
Teach Plus PA retweeted
Fixing PA's teacher shortage takes all of us.
Get the latest news, policy updates, upcoming events, helpful resources, and opportunities to make your voice heard, delivered straight to your inbox.
📩 Subscribe here: paneedsteachers.com/#newslet…
Teach Plus PA retweeted
From reimagining to action. 🍎
Join educators, future teachers, and PA leaders in Harrisburg on Nov. 10 for the 5th Annual #PANeedsTeachers Summit and Day of Action.
Register now: paneedsteachers.com/2026summ…
