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Food Education Center

Food Education Fellowship

A yearlong paid professional development program for PreK–12 U.S. educators interested in growing their teaching practice through Food Education.

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Two smiling women pose during a cooking demonstration, holding a pan of rice and vegetables; a presentation screen and appears behind them.

Each year, Pilot Light welcomes PreK–12 teacher leaders to the Food Education Fellowship, where they develop the expertise to integrate Food Education into everyday learning.

Benefits for our Fellows

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FAQ
  • 30 hours of professional development featuring leaders and experts in fields related to Food Education
  • 1:1 coaching from staff and peers to support the use of our innovative framework in their classroom
  • Professional development hours required for certification (Illinois teachers only)
  • Financial personal and classroom materials stipends
  • Chef demo aligned to their curricula co-planned with the Pilot Light team
  • Collaboration with a partner in the food space to build an advocacy project with their students
  • Membership in the growing Pilot Light Fellowship Alumni Network (FAN)
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School Year 2024–25 Impact

25

States

26

Educators

1190

Students

82%

of educators reported increased confidence that their students are more mindful about what they eat

42%

increase high school student advocacy projects making a difference in their local food systems

Rave Reviews

“I have taken many ideas back from PD to my own classroom, sometimes, the same week. I see a direct impact the learning has had on my practice but even trickle down to my student teacher. Every speaker chosen for our PD has taught me something.”

Food Education Fellow

“I felt supported and valued in my expertise as a teacher throughout the Pilot Light Food Education Fellowship. The program provided great resources and professional development opportunities, and there was a real sense of community among the fellows.”

Food Education Fellow

“I have taken many ideas back from PD to my own classroom, sometimes, the same week. I see a direct impact the learning has had on my practice but even trickle down to my student teacher. Every speaker chosen for our PD has taught me something.”

Food Education Fellow

“I felt supported and valued in my expertise as a teacher throughout the Pilot Light Food Education Fellowship. The program provided great resources and professional development opportunities, and there was a real sense of community among the fellows.”

Food Education Fellow

“I have taken many ideas back from PD to my own classroom, sometimes, the same week. I see a direct impact the learning has had on my practice but even trickle down to my student teacher. Every speaker chosen for our PD has taught me something.”

Food Education Fellow

“I felt supported and valued in my expertise as a teacher throughout the Pilot Light Food Education Fellowship. The program provided great resources and professional development opportunities, and there was a real sense of community among the fellows.”

Food Education Fellow

Partnerships

Food Education Fellows work alongside community, school, and national partners. Through these partnerships, teachers create a deeper impact through food for their students, their schools, and their communities. Fellows also have the opportunity to partner with a chef in their community to bring hands-on, relevant experiences to their students. 

Professional Development Speakers

Pilot Light is proud to invite a variety of speakers to share their knowledge and expertise with Fellows each month. We strive to partner with speakers from a wide array of professional and personal backgrounds to offer interesting and valuable professional development experience for our Fellows.

Fellowship Alumni Network (FAN)

A coalition of educators who continue to utilize Food Education in their classrooms following their time as a Food Education Fellow, and advocate for Food Education in their communities.

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Chef partnership in action

James Martin of Bocadillo Market leads a world history and spice lesson for Pilot Light Fellow Rita Leary’s 7th & 8th grade students. Read our interview with Chef James and his educator partners to learn how they designed their partnerships!