The Food Education Fellowship

The Food Education Fellowship

Every year, Pilot Light recruits and accepts a Food Education Fellowship cohort of highly-motivated PreK–12th grade teachers across the country with an interest in implementing Pilot Light Food Education lessons consistently with their students. Accepted Fellows are supported with Pilot Light resources and by staff, peers, and partners and as they refine and evaluate Food Education in their classrooms. 

Applications for the 2026-27 Food Education Fellowship are now open! 

Applications & Administrator Approval Forms are due May 25, 2026.

FOOD EDUCATION FELLOWSHIP REQUIREMENTS:

WHO YOU ARE:

• You will be teaching in the United States in the 2026-27 school year
• You have least 2 years of teaching experience
• You have an interest in:
  • Using Food Education as a tool to teach in your classroom
  • Monthly, virtual professional development related to Food Education
  • Collaborating and connecting with like-minded peers
  • Engaging in your school community and with students’ families
• You are committed to meeting requirements outlined for Fellows (see below)
• You have Administrator approval completed and submitted by May 25, 2026

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Attendance at all professional development meetings & summer institute (hosted virtually – see dates below)
• Delivering Food Education lessons weekly in classrooms
• Commitment to evaluating the effects of Food Education in your classroom
• Commitment to student-led Food Education advocacy & community and family engagement
• Commitment to collaborating with like-minded peers (monthly) and Food Education Fellowship Alumni (2 times during your Fellowship) 

ADDITIONAL APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Updated resume
• Completion of Pilot Light Food Education Fellowship Application by May 25, 2026
• Completion of Administrator Recommendation Form by May 25, 2026
• If selected as a finalist: application screen and phone interview performed by Pilot Light staff and Fellowship Alumni Network members 

LOCATION:

United States (Your school should be located within the U.S.A.)

DURATION:

August 2026-June 2027

Key Dates – all professional development will be held virtually over Zoom

• Summer Institute: August 10th & 11th (9am-4pm CST) 
• Monthly Virtual Professional Development (Evenings – All times Central Standard Time (CST))
  • September 16th – 5pm-7pm CST
  • October 14th – 5pm-7pm CST
  • November 18th – 5pm-7pm CST
  • December 9th – 5pm-7pm CST
  • January 13th – 5pm-7pm CST (Office Hours)
  • February 10th – 5pm-7pm CST
  • March 10th – 5pm-7pm CST
  • April 14th – 5pm-7pm CST (Advocacy Panel)
  • May 12th – 5pm-7:30pm CST (Final Fellow Data Presentations – Session 1) 
  • May 26th – 5pm-7:30pm CST (Final Fellow Data Presentations – Session 2) 

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

• Engage in monthly professional development sessions during the times listed above
• Receive 1:1 support & coaching from staff & peers, including 2 Fellowship alumni coaching sessions 
• Cultivate a community partnership and student advocacy project with your students
• Develop a regular collaboration with a partner in your local food industry (chef, community leader, etc.) 
• Compensation: $2,000 stipend + $300-$500 reimbursement for materials (varies depending on classroom size), $300-500 reimbursement for chef demos (varies depending on classroom size), and $500 reimbursement for student-led advocacy projects 

Questions?

We’re here to answer. Start by checking out our FAQs and then register for our LIVE virtual office hours sessions, where you can ask questions about the Fellowship, the application process, or Food Education in general and receive answers from the Pilot Light staff and Fellowship alumni members! 

• 4/22/26 – 5:30-6:30 PM (CST) Office Hours Registration
• 5/18/26 – 7-8 PM (CST) Office Hours Registration 

Pilot Light embraces a philosophy that recognizes, values, and actively seeks expertise from a variety of perspectives and backgrounds among its team. We seek to attract, develop, retain, and promote a talented workforce in a culture where all employees will contribute to their fullest potential. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship, pregnancy or maternity, national origin, status as an individual with disability, age, ancestry, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local law.