Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/348932
This September, a cadre of Arizona's exemplary teachers are inviting legislators to spend a day in their classrooms so policymakers can experience firsthand the struggles and successes that happen in our state's public schools. These teachers are taking part in the Take Your Legislator to School program, sponsored by the AEA, Arizona K-12 Center, Rodel Foundation, and the Arizona Educational Foundation. The program is aiming to get elected officials to hear from educators about what's going on in the classroom and the impact of education policy on student learning. Teachers attended trainings in Tucson and Phoenix on building relationships with legislators and how their profession and the work they do will benefit from creating connections with elected officials. "If you are not speaking up and sharing what's going on, no one else is going to do it for you," said Glendale Union EA member Amanda McAdams, one of the trainers and past Arizona Teacher of the Year. "Educators need to be part of the larger political social, economic, and cultural conversations going on because of the kids we represent." The trainings covered the state's political climate, the legislative process, and how to best prepare legislator's classroom visits. Trainer and 2014 Ambassador for Teaching Excellence Tara Dale, a member of Kyrene EA, spoke with participants about the prep work needed for these visits. "I want legislators to think, 'Wow! Teachers are creators and they're not whiners who are all about the money.' One of the struggles teachers have is that we are such outstanding excellent teachers that we make our job look really easy, so it's important to plan these legislator visits and what it is you want them to see about the work you do." 2 14 Fall 2014 x AEA Advocate Take Your Legislator to School "If you are not speaking up and sharing what's going on, no one else is going to do it for you." —Amanda McAdams, Glendale Union EA member AROUND AEA ABOVE: Teachers learn about building relationships with elected officials and how to set up classroom visits with legislators. Arizona Educational Foundation Executive Director Bobbie O'Boyle goes over a toolkit with resources and templates to help participants. To learn more about this program, visit the Take Your Legislator to School Facebook page at facebook.com/ tyltsaz.