ISTE+ASCD Announces 2026-27 Voices of Change Fellows: Six Educators Leading the Future of Learning
The ISTE+ASCD Voices of Change Fellowship is a groundbreaking initiative that places educators at the forefront of transforming teaching and learning. As technology and artificial intelligence reshape classrooms nationwide, this program amplifies the voices of those who know the challenges best—teachers and school leaders. Through first-person essays and multimedia stories on EdSurge, fellows share real-time strategies for reimagining instruction, roles, and systems. Following a rigorous application process for the 2026-27 cohort, six exceptional educators were selected to guide their communities into the future of learning. Here’s everything you need to know about this influential program.
What is the ISTE+ASCD Voices of Change Fellowship?
The ISTE+ASCD Voices of Change Fellowship is a year-long program that empowers K-12 educators and school leaders to lead the conversation on educational innovation. Launched by the combined forces of ISTE and ASCD, the fellowship focuses on highlighting firsthand accounts of how schools are adapting to AI and technology-driven changes. Fellows share their experiences through written essays and multimedia stories published on EdSurge, a trusted education news platform. The goal is to provide a platform for practitioners—not just policymakers—to shape the narrative of modern education. By elevating real classroom stories, the fellowship fosters a community of change agents who inspire others to rethink instructional approaches, roles, and systems.
Who are the 2026-27 Voices of Change Fellows?
The sixth cohort of the Voices of Change Fellowship consists of six exceptional educators from across the United States. While individual names are highlighted on the program’s official page, these fellows were chosen from a competitive applicant pool for their proven ability to guide their communities toward innovative practices. Each fellow brings a unique perspective—whether from a rural district, an urban school, or a specialized program—but all share a commitment to leveraging AI and technology to meet the demands of today’s learners. Throughout the 2026-27 academic year, they will publish personal stories on EdSurge that document their successes, challenges, and insights, providing a roadmap for other educators facing similar shifts.
How does the fellowship empower educators?
The fellowship empowers educators by giving them a national platform to share their expertise and experiences. Instead of outside experts dictating change, the program places the people closest to the classroom at the center of the conversation. Fellows receive editorial support to craft compelling narratives about their work with AI tools, redesigned curricula, and new teaching models. They also join a network of past and present fellows, fostering collaboration and mentorship. This visibility not only elevates their individual careers but also reinforces the message that teachers are essential leaders in educational transformation. By telling their own stories, fellows influence peers, administrators, and even policymakers, creating a grassroots movement for change.
What platform does the program use to share stories?
All fellow stories are published on EdSurge, a leading education journalism outlet that covers innovation in teaching and learning. EdSurge reaches a broad audience of educators, technologists, and decision-makers, ensuring that the fellows’ insights have maximum impact. The stories take the form of first-person essays and multimedia pieces, allowing fellows to pair written reflections with videos, infographics, or audio clips. This format makes the content engaging and accessible, helping readers visualize the real classroom contexts behind the strategies. By leveraging EdSurge’s existing audience, the program amplifies voices that might otherwise go unheard in the national education dialogue.
What were the highlights of the application process?
The application process for the 2026-27 cohort was met with an overwhelming response. The program received submissions from countless educators already leading innovative practices in their schools. Applicants described how they were integrating AI tools to personalize learning, redesigning assessment systems, and rethinking the role of teachers in technology-rich environments. A key highlight was the diversity of approaches: some focused on early literacy using adaptive software, while others tackled high school STEM courses with AI-driven project-based learning. The selection committee looked for candidates with a clear vision, a track record of implementation, and the ability to articulate their experiences compellingly. The result is a cohort that embodies the breadth of innovation happening across K-12 education today.
How does this fellowship address the changing educational landscape?
In an era where AI and technology are fundamentally altering what it means to teach and learn, the Voices of Change Fellowship provides a critical bridge between theory and practice. Schools nationwide are reimagining instructional approaches, roles, and systems to prepare students for tomorrow. This fellowship ensures that those on the front lines—teachers and school leaders—are not just adapting but actively shaping the future. By chronicling real-time solutions, the program creates a living archive of effective strategies that other educators can adapt. It also challenges the notion that change must come from the top down, proving that grassroots innovation is powerful and scalable. Ultimately, the fellowship fosters a collaborative ecosystem where every voice contributes to a more responsive, equitable, and forward-thinking education system.