The Schott Fellowship

I have developed relationships with people that I know will always be there. We can be honest with each other even if we have differences. I know I can go to the other Fellows and bounce ideas off of them, and feel that I can do that in confidence, and they will understand. – Lori Cox

Mission

We ensure quality early education through public policy advocacy. We provide leadership training for 12 Fellows; develop and disseminate policy briefs that are timely, relevant and immediately actionable, legislatively and administratively; convene community roundtables to engage stakeholders in early education strategies. We prepare early educators to be “architects of change for young children.”

Impact

Gain New Skills and Confidence
The Schott Fellowship provides an opportunity to learn and practice policy skills such as how to:

• Identify policy gaps
• Collect and analyze data
• Work collaboratively to develop policy solutions
• Frame an issue
• Facilitate community dialogues

Expand Your Network
Schott Fellows meet and develop strong relationships with a highly diverse group of early education and care leaders. They bond with each other and build bridges with leaders and policymakers to become a powerful force for change.

Lead Organizational Change
Fellows are leading their organizations to become more involved in the policy process. Through policy dialogues and sharing their fellowship learning, they mobilize staff, board members, and clients to take a greater interest in policy solutions and to consider how they can improve their own policies and procedures to better support children and families.

Impact Public Policy
Fellows are researching policy gaps, and developing innovative solutions to address these gaps including:

• Regulations to ensure that early educators receive training to increase
  their cultural competence
• Quality standards that apply equally to all programs that serve young children
• Program practices and training that actively encourage family involvement
  and support

Be an Architect of Change
During the fellowship year and beyond Schott Fellows move into leadership positions with policy responsibilities, train and coach policy leaders, run for office, and speak passionately and publicly on behalf of children and families in Massachusetts.

Architects of Change Publication - Download