As the dust settles after the recent election, it’s time for educators to engage with our legislators. The election outcome has set the stage for crucial conversations about public education. Our voices are needed now more than ever to advocate against voucher programs and union-busting bills that threaten our public schools and educators’ rights.
Lobby Day on January 20
Mark your calendars for January 20 — this is Lobby Day, an opportunity for educators to unite and make our voices heard. Engaging meaningfully with our legislators is essential to influencing policies that benefit public education. If we want legislators to support public education, they need to see the faces of public education. The last day to register for this pivotal event is Dec. 23, so don’t delay! This is your chance to stand against harmful policies such as vouchers that divert public funds to private schools.
Understanding the Threat
Voucher programs promise parents more choices, but they siphon vital resources away from public schools, ultimately harming the very students we serve. We have seen this happen in other states that have adopted voucher programs. Public schools are the backbone of our communities, providing essential services and fostering inclusive environments. It’s critical that our legislators hear our concerns about these programs and their impacts.
Alicia Purdy
Union-busting bills also threaten educators’ rights and collective bargaining power. These measures undermine our ability to advocate for fair wages, safe working conditions, and adequate resources for our students. When educators are silenced, our students lose vital advocates. This is why our collective voices must rise against these detrimental policies during Lobby Day.
Building Bridges
For many educators, communicating with legislators can be intimidating, especially if you feel disconnected from them. You don’t have to always speak up to be a powerful voice. It is perfectly okay to attend Lobby Day and listen. Presence alone can be powerful! If you do struggle to connect with those who hold differing views, I recommend reading “Collaborating with the Enemy” by Adam Kahane. This book offers insights into navigating difficult conversations and building bridges with those who may not share your perspective. By learning to communicate effectively, we can foster understanding and collaboration for better outcomes.
Strength in Our Diversity
In a significant move towards inclusivity, the IEA Board has approved a new Republican Educator Caucus. This initiative reflects our diverse educator population and recognizes that our strength lies in our differences. Regardless of political affiliations, we all share a common goal: the well-being of our public schools, students, and fellow educators. If we hope to make a difference in the landscape of public education, we must encourage all educators to advocate as a collective voice.
Why Our Voices Matter
As educators, our experiences are invaluable for crafting impactful policies. Legislators need to hear from us — those who work daily in classrooms, understand the challenges we face, and know what support we require. In a society that can devalue educators, it is critical that we make human connections.
Right now, the narrative is controlled by outside groups with deep pockets pushing for vouchers. In states like Idaho, the general public opposes voucher programs that effectively defund public schools. However, there is little funding to counter that narrative. We are professionals with the experience and training in this field — unless we speak up about the harm these policies will cause, legislators will follow the false narratives being spread. It is up to those of us who care about stopping these detrimental policies to activate and make our voices heard.
We cannot afford to remain silent; our silence has enabled these ideas to take root. Every conversation, letter, and meeting are steps toward improving public education. When we unite against vouchers and union-busting efforts, our collective strength amplifies our message and underscores the importance of investing in our schools.
Let’s Get to Work!
The best solution to protect our public schools is collaboration and advocacy. The road ahead will be challenging, but it is filled with opportunities for positive change.
Jan. 20 is critical for our profession and students. Make sure you’re registered by Dec. 23, prepare to engage with your legislators, and consider how you can contribute to the conversation. Let’s capitalize on our diverse perspectives to advocate for policies that reflect our shared commitment to public education.
Together, we can promote the schools we all deserve.
Alicia Purdy is a high school special education teacher, co-president of the Vallivue Education Association, co-president of Region 8, Region 8 GR/PACE chair, IEA Region 8 Board of Directors, and Western Region chair for the NEA Republican Educator Caucus.