4 hours Ago
Teachers advocate for our students on a daily basis. We do this through building a respectful, loving and safe environment. We develop individualized instruction and work with families and staff to best meet each student’s educational needs.
These are just a couple examples of how teachers encourage student growth and success. With the current executive orders intended to dismantle the Department of Education and eliminate the protections for student learning and safety, it’s imperative for educators to not only protect all they are doing within the classroom, but to take their advocacy beyond the school walls. Cherrie MacInnes is a grade 4 classroom teacher at Greely Middle School in Cumberland.
She was a 2017 finalist for Maine Teacher of the Year and was named the 2016 Penobscot County Teacher of the Year. Here are some ideas on how you can stay informed, maintain your well-being and reach out to policymakers. Stay informed • Follow reliable news sources.
To stay current on what is happening in education, use websites and newsletters put out by the National Education Association (NEA) and the Maine Education Association (MEA). Join educational blogs and listen to educational podcasts. Knowledge is power.
• Join professional networks. Become a member of teacher associations or online forums where educators discuss current issues and share resources. Because so much of what is happening is about equity and human rights, join and support organizations such as the ACLU.
• Use social media: This may seem surprising because, if you are like me, you are fluctuating between a need to endlessly scroll in search of information and wanting to completely ghost all social media platforms. Use your voice. This is a time to be loud, not complacent.
Maintain your well-being • Set boundaries. Like most teachers, I struggle with this one. It is important to set boundaries between school and advocacy work so you can take care of yourself.
Do things that make you laugh, move and relax. It’s noble to want to take on the world, but you’ve got to choose the areas that matter most. • Connect with colleagues.
We need our educational support systems now more than ever. No one understands what is happening in our schools more than fellow educators. Teachers are the most creative problem solvers.
Meet with your teacher buddies to both devise action plans. • Relieve stress. Find and use the stress relief methods that work best for you.
Many teachers use yoga and meditation to decompress and find calm. Others, like me, find peace in nature. Take time to do what works for your mind and body.
Reach out to policymakers • Identify and contact your state representatives. You can find contact information online to call, email or write to our policymakers of all political affiliations. We need a steady flow of contact jamming voice mailboxes, inboxes and postal boxes to get our concerns heard.
• Attend town hall type events and meetings. These often virtual events provide opportunities to engage directly with policymakers and express your concerns. • Attend legislative sessions.
Being visible and available in Augusta or contacting local representatives is a way to keep educators’ knowledge, experience and voice in the decision making process. • Support our commissioner of education. After a recent virtual meeting with Commissioner Pender Makin and several Maine County and State Teachers of the Year Association members, I was impressed by the incredible amount of advocacy she is doing for our schools.
The type of work that is needed now requires a collective response. This is our generation’s call to action. It won’t be easy or quick.
We will need to demonstrate the strength of our belief in public education. By staying informed, taking care of yourself and actively reaching out to policymakers, you can contribute in a way that provides needed support while also keeping your head above water. We invite you to add your comments.
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