Partnering & the Planet

Learn how partnering saved us all

Cofounder Jean Oelwang tells the partnering story that saved our planet and humanity.

Watch Jean's TEDx Talk

Exclusive collaboration opportunity for TFA alumni

Plus Wonder is eager to connect with Teach For America alumni to help support educators in bringing partnering wisdom into schools. Together, we hope to nurture more connected youth and more collaborative educators in the places that need it most. We are excited to provide a $500 Amazon Gift Card to support your implementation of relationship building and connection practices with your students. Here’s how…

Step 1: Sign-up NOW
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Become a Plus Wonder Architect! This will grant you access to our exclusive toolkits and start the process of applying for the micro-grant.

Become an Architect now!
Step 2: Download & Implement Our Toolkits
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You will receive instant access to the Connection Architect Network and Hub. This will include links to download our Architect Toolkits. Choose any toolkit(s) that align with your students’ interests and learning goals.

Implement the exercises with your students. You can integrate individual activities into your existing curriculum or use the toolkits in total.

Step 3: Showcase Your Impact
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Share your experience implementing Plus Wonder exercises with your students through photos, videos, or written reflections. You can upload your photos and videos directly to the application form or share a link to your video on a platform like YouTube or Google Drive.

Don’t forget to receive informed consent from your students (and school) to share images or videos with us and have each person captured in photo/video fill out a consent form.

Step 4: Share your impact with us!
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By completing these steps, you will be eligible to receive a $500 Amazon Gift Card to support the continuation of your relationship building and connection practices with your students.

The deadline to submit an application has been extended to:

May 27, 2025

If your teaching practice was enhanced by these toolkits and our framework, or your students demonstrate growth through new skills in connection-building, we encourage you to share that on social media to reach other educators like yourself! Be sure to tag @pluswonder, so that we can amplify it to inspire others!

FAQs

Who is eligible for a micro-grant?

This opportunity is exclusive to Teach For America educators as part of an exclusive collaboration between our two organizations.

 

Eligible applicants are all of the following:

  • Teach For America alumni educators who are current classroom educators
  • Plus Wonder Connections Architects (sign-up here)
  • those who can show evidence of implementing Plus Wonder teaching tools, including the Explorer/Architect Toolkits or Connection Circles.

What are the criteria for evaluation of the micro-grant applications?

You can download our evaluation criteria here. It also includes details about the evaluators of the micro-grant applications.

How should I use video to share evidence of implementation?

To help us visualize your students’ learning journey, use can create short videos (less than 2 minutes) capturing student engagement with the exercises.

 

Video Tips:

  • Use your phone: Most smartphones can record high-quality videos.
  • Focus on the students: Ensure your students are clearly visible in the video.
  • Capture the moment: Briefly record a clip of students discussing, collaborating, or presenting their work.
  • Keep it short and sweet: A 30-second to 2-minute video is ideal.
  • Record horizontally: This format is best for viewing on screens of all sizes.
  • Minimize background noise: Try to record in a quiet space to ensure clear audio.

 

You can upload your videos on a platform like YouTube or Google Drive.

Who can help me if I’m confused?

If you have questions or technical difficulties, contact Lindsay at Plus Wonder to receive support.

How many micro-grants will be awarded?

Plus Wonder plans to award up to 10 micro-grants of $500 value in the form of an Amazon Gift Card to eligible Teach For America Connection Architects.

How can I stay connected to Plus Wonder?

To stay up-to-date on news, upcoming events, and opportunities, be sure to bookmark the Plus Wonder homepage and the Architect Hub (you gain access upon signing up to become an Architect).

What are the benefits of becoming a Connection Architect?

As a valued member of our community, you’ll enjoy the following benefits:

  • First access to new resources
  • Access to live conversations with Jean and Plus Wonder partners
  • Exclusive “Partnering in Education” virtual sessions
  • In-person annual gatherings (see all news and events here)
  • Special rates for professional development services

But first, Sign-up NOW!

Apply for a micro-grant

TFA Micro-Grant Application Form

Your Name(Required)
This is the person applying for the micro-grant. They should have already signed up to be a Plus Wonder Connection Architect and the one who has implemented the toolkits with their students.
First Name(s)
Last Name(s)
 
Your Current Classroom(Required)
This is the school and class or group where the toolkits were implemented. You must be a current classroom educator in charge of its instruction to be eligible for a micro-grant. You can add multiple schools and classes if applicable by clicking the plus button next to the fields below.
School Name
Class/Group Name & Grade(s)
 
Please enter a number greater than or equal to 1.
Your Profile Picture(Required)
Please provide a profile picture that represents your personality and role in education.
Accepted file types: jpg, jpeg, png, gif.
How did you incorporate it within your schedule or content focus? Did you tie it into any other research, protocols, or projects you're working on? Did it tie into any specific learning targets?
We'd like to know your perspective on how the activities or framework affected your students. Can you compare student thoughts or behavior before and after implementation? Anything anecdotes you witnessed?
If you asked your students to submit their reflections, please copy and paste here (anonymous or attributed with their informed consent). You can also provide quoted comments your students shared with you in reflection or passing.
Share what you would do with the micro-grant in as much detail as you can provide at this time. Please explain how a micro-grant to you in service of your teaching would create exponential impact on your students and ripple outward from you.
To help us visualize your students' learning journey, please share photos and/or short videos (less than 2 minutes) capturing their engagement with the exercises. See video tips in the FAQs above. Please upload photos and/or videos to a virtual folder (like Google Drive) and share an accessible link here. Also include in this folder a signed consent form for each person captured on video or photos. Download consent forms above within step 3.
By clicking below, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy (linked at the foot of this page) and that Plus Wonder may contact you and/or subscribe you to our Plus Wonder newsletter. We will not publish or use your contact details for any other purpose without your permission. Our goal is to build connections and provide value to our community.

We’d love to hear from you.

Please get in touch with the team.

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