Distinguished Educator Fellowship

PDK International is proud to facilitate our Distinguished Educator Fellowship diving into the issues in education today. We are seeking people with experience and intellectual honesty to work with PDK to raise the narrative and examine the complex contexts around the issues of public education and how PDK can be poised to make an impact on those issues.

As a PDK Distinguished Educator Fellow, you will have the opportunity to interact with like-minded colleagues from different areas to work as a think-tank considering educational topics at hand while getting the opportunity to lead and learn through community-driven professional development.

Nearly half of PDK’s Board of directors came from the Fellows program, the effort that inspired this new initiative, who have collectively gone on to become superintendents, executive directors, renowned innovative thinkers, and luminaries in education.

Purpose: The PDK Distinguished Educators Fellows Program is looking for innovators, thought leaders, and problem solvers who are making a difference in the field of education to build their leadership skills to support the organization’s initiatives and contribute to projects which will make a significant impact in the field of education. These Fellows will have the opportunity to improve their leadership skills, build connections with other leading educators, and become changemakers in the field of education.

Application: Participants will come from diverse backgrounds from all over the country and share a common desire to make an impact with the work they engage in. Applications for the 2026 cohort will open on October 15, 2025.

Candidates for the Fellowship should be:

• 40 years of age or older
• leading educators, administrators, or university faculty that have achieved professional success in their career
• have experience and maturity that will allow them to contribute effectively to a peer project-based learning experience
• from diverse backgrounds in terms of ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation, physical ability, and geography

Why apply?
PDK Distinguished Fellows receive:

• Exclusive professional development at the 2026 Educators Rising National Conference
• The opportunity to publish with PDK
• Access to international travel scholarships
• Invitations to participate in various PDK initiatives
• Extensive networking opportunities
• Receive a free PDK- Digital membership upon acceptance

The Work and Commitment: Fellows congregate and begin their work at the 2026 Educators Rising National Conference in Portland, OR.

During the conference, fellows will receive professional development training, have an opportunity to network, and begin scoping projects. Over the course of one year, the fellows will meet independently to continue their work. You must commit to attending the conference.

PDK International will arrange for complimentary registration, flights, and hotel to attend the conference.

Professional Development Training: Participants will learn leadership skills such as strategy formulation, project management, problem-solving, decision-making, and implementing change.

Timeline:
October 15 – Application period opens
December 15 – Application period closes
Early January-early March – Review period
March – Selection announced
April  – Complimentary registration of fellows complete to attend the 2026 Educators Rising National Conference.
May  – Flights booked, and rooms reserved.
June 20-23 – Fellows attend the 2026 Educators Rising National Conference in Portland, OR.

Questions about the program? E-mail memberservices@pdkintl.org