Who is the ideal candidate for FIRE?
- A parent who wants to drive meaningful change in education within their community.
- A teacher who is eager to become more involved in policymaking.
- A community advocate interested in strengthening and expanding their advocacy skills
This training is designed as an entry point for those who want to create change. If you’re passionate about transforming education in our country but aren’t sure where to start, this is the perfect opportunity for you.
Our next cohort will kick off on April 13, 2026 and will end on May 18th, 2026. The training sessions will be held at 7 pm EST. Each session will be conducted virtually.
- Have a child, grandchild or connection to a child (extended family) in the US education system in PreK-12 grades, regardless of school model or type. (Non-parents are able to apply as well )
- Attend at least seven out of the eight training sessions (each session will be a 1-hour to 1 ½ hour-long training session)
- Have a strong passion for advocacy and improving education
The deadline to apply for this program is April 8th, 2026
Schedule
April 13th
FIRE introduction and how to tell your story. Advocates will learn how to craft and build their personal stories when it comes to advocacy.
April 20th
Advocacy 101. Advocates will learn the basics of advocacy and how to set up a strong campaign that wins every time.
April 27th
The Power of Relationship Building. During this training, participants will hear from parents and fellow advocates from across the country on the importance of relationship building.
May 4th
Organizing 101. Let’s talk about how to build a movement. This session will give families a deep dive into community organizing.
May 11th
Deep Dive into Believe in Better. This training will focus on 50CAN’s five promises to America’s students and families.
May 18th
Graduation. We will celebrate the completion of the program.
What’s next?
After completing the program, graduates will continue to connect and engage with their local teams. The 50CAN team will continue to host monthly optional trainings and dialogues to help further the graduate’s advocacy skills.
How to Apply
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- To be considered for this program, applicants must complete the application below and then complete a 15-minute virtual interview.
- Once applied, you will receive an email within 48 hours to schedule a virtual interview with a 50CAN staff member.
- There is no stipend associated with this program. This program is volunteer-only.
- If you have any questions about the training, please direct them to steven.quinn@gacan.org
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This program is made possible with the support from
