San Francisco Regional Community

STEP UP is a national community of physics teachers, researchers, and professional societies. We design high school physics lessons to empower teachers to inspire students to pursue physics in college.

Goal: STEP UP 2026-27 Advocates Professional Learning Community cohort will join a growing, regional community to implement STEP UP curriculum in their classrooms to inspire all students to pursue physics. Selected teachers will join a cohort of nearly 200 teachers from four specific regions centered around San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York City. See eligibility details below. 

The application will open February 27, 2026

Eligibility: 

  • Teach at least one section of physics during the 2026-27 academic year

  • Able to attend the in-person Summer and Winter Summit at CSU East Bay (refer to table below for dates)

  • Able to attend monthly learning community meetings (refer to table below for details)

  • Willing to provide feedback about your and your students’ experiences with the STEP UP lessons

  • Teach in one of the counties below during the 2026-27 academic year

Teachers in these counties associated with the San Francisco Bay Area may apply. Note: Participants will be required to travel to an in-person summit in June 2026 at CSU East Bay, indicated by the star on the map above. Counties not included in the map, but able to apply*: San Joaquin, Solano, Sacramento, Monterrey

The STEP UP program will accept up to 60 teachers from each region, and each Advocate will earn a $900 stipend. The STEP UP program staff will train Advocates on the STEP UP curriculum at an in-person regional STEP UP Summit (See below for date/time) in the summer of 2026.

Advocates earn their stipend by:

    • Time of year Advocate Program Task 

      April 2026

      		 Welcome to the Cohort 1 Advocate Program for 2026-27
      June 2026

      Must attend a one-day in-person workshop on the STEP UP curriculum (Summer 2026)

      • San Francisco Summit: Saturday, June 27, from TBD pm PT at CSU East Bay
      January 2027

      Must attend a one-day in-person workshop on the STEP UP curriculum (Winter 2027)

      • San Francisco Winter Summit: TBD pm PT at CSU East Bay
      September 2026 - February 2027

      Attend virtual monthly Everyday Action Guide Professional Learning Community with a small group of Advocate peers and one of the regional leadership team members. Meetings details will be decided by the group and leader but will occur in:

      • September 2026
      • October 2026
      • November 2026
      • December 2026 (optional in-person field trip for whole Advocate group)
      • January 2027 - in person Winter Summit. See above.
      • February 2027
      September - October 2026

      Administer pre-surveys for students
      September 2026 - March 2027

      Use the STEP UP Careers in Physics & Women in Physics lessons with your students

      Attend monthly Professional Learning Community meetings (virtual and/or in person) to learn about the  Everyday Actions Guide

      Utilize the Everyday Actions Guide in your classroom

      Attend optional in-person and virtual community events in your region
      April 2027

      Complete Advocate post-survey; Administer student post-survey
      May - June 2027

      Receive stipend for your time and dedication

    Clip from our Summer 2024 New York Regional Summit

    ​​

    Advocate/Professional Learning Community Program FAQs: 

    1. Can I apply if I'm retired / taking a leave of absence / on special assignment/ not in a high school classroom?

    • No, the Advocates earning stipends must implement the STEP UP curriculum in a classroom during the 2026-27 school year. Our support is limited to current teachers that can work directly with their students throughout the year.

    2. I am just graduating from a teacher credential program, can I apply? 

    • Yes! If you are applying for jobs in one of the counties (Check the map) to teach physics during the 2026-27 school year, please apply. We would love to have you in the community.

    3. If I can't attend the in-person STEP UP Summit training, can I still apply?

    • No, attending the in-person summit (both summer and winter) is required to receive your stipend. Please email your Regional Coordinator (Kathleen Shreve: kathleen_shreve@fuhsd.org ) if you have questions. 

    4. I don’t know my schedule for the upcoming school year. Am I required to attend all the monthly meetings? 

    • You are required to attend the monthly Learning Community meetings. We understand that schedules may still be unknown, but we try to schedule meetings at times convenient for most teachers. There may be make-up sessions you can attend with other groups. If you miss these meetings on a regular basis and without talking to your assigned Ambassador, then your participation in the program will be terminated. For further questions you can contact San Francisco Regional Coordinator, (Kathleen Shreve: kathleen_shreve@fuhsd.org )

    5. Should I have delivered the STEP UP lessons before?

    • No, we're excited to welcome folks who know about STEP UP but haven't done the lessons yet!

    • Also, if you have delivered the STEP UP lessons, you are still welcome to join us!

    6. I don’t know my teaching schedule for the 2026-27 school year. Can I still apply? 

    • Yes, just be sure you expect to teach at least one physics-related class. Email the STEP UP team (STEPUPphysics@aps.org) with additional questions.

    7. I might be changing schools for the 2026-27 school year, but will remain in one of the counties of focus. Can I still apply?

    • Yes, you can answer the questions in the application that address your current school or your best approximation of your future school.