REEL Teen Advisory Council | 2e Teen Leadership

TEEN ADVISORY COUNCIL

REEL TEEN ADVISORY COUNCIL 2026-27

Your experience matters. We want to hear it.

REEL is looking for twice-exceptional (2e) teens and young people ages 13–19 to join our first-ever Teen Advisory Council.

Meet other 2e teens. Share what you wish adults understood. Help shape what REEL creates for young people like you.

Applications due September 18, 2026

APPLY TO JOIN

5-10 minute application. No leadership experience required.

AGES

13-19

GROUP SIZE

5-8

MEETINGS

4-5 within the school year

WHERE

Virtual

Too often, adults decide what 2e students need without asking the students themselves.

We want to change that.

Taking place during the 2026-2027 school calendar year, the REEL Teen Advisory Council brings together a small group of 2e teens and young people to talk about school, learning, friendships, strengths, challenges, and what it’s really like to have a brain that works differently.

What might we talk about?

SCHOOL

What do you wish teachers understood?

BEING 2E

What do adults sometimes get wrong?

SUPPORT

What actually helps—and what doesn’t?

IDEAS

What resources do you wish existed?

STRENGTHS

How do your interests affect how you learn?

REEL

How could REEL better support young people?

There are no "right" answers. We want to hear what you think.

Why join?

Meet people who may get it

Connect with other young people who may share some of your experiences.

Make your voice count

Help adults learn directly from young people instead of making assumptions.

Shape what REEL creates

Influence future resources, programs, events, and support.

Help the next student

Help another 2e student feel more understood and supported.

You don’t need to be a leader, an advocate, or someone who loves speaking up. You just need to bring your perspective.

Along the way, members will have opportunities to strengthen skills in self-advocacy, self-awareness, communication, collaboration, and leadership — while contributing in ways that feel authentic to them.

Is this for me?

THIS COULD BE FOR YOU IF…

You’re 13–19
You identify with the experience of being 2e
You have strengths or strong interests AND learning or neurodivergent differences
You’re willing to share ideas and experiences
You can join 4–5 virtual meetings

YOU DON'T NEED...

A formal diagnosis
Gifted identification
An IEP or 504 Plan
Leadership experience
Advocacy experience
Public-speaking experience

Not sure whether you "count" as 2e?

You can still apply.

What will meetings look like?

Small group. Virtual. Conversational.

Meetings will be about 75 minutes, approximately 4–5 times during the school year.

This isn't a class or presentation. You'll talk, listen, share ideas, and get to know the other people in the group.

You will never be expected to have the perfect answer—or speak for every 2e student.

We want your experience, not an expert opinion.

Ready to apply?

It takes about 5–10 minutes. For three questions, choose whatever way works best for you:

WRITE

Type your response

VIDEO

Record a short video

AUDIO

Record a voice response

All three formats are treated equally.