Adding your Voice to the Conversation
The nation’s newspapers, websites, and blogs are filled with discussions about what policies Congress should address next. Currently, it seems like all eyes are on Afghanistan; yesterday was all about investing in the nation’s infrastructure; tomorrow the discussion may be on President Biden’s American Families Plan. The president’s proposal calls for historic investments in our nation’s youth, families, and economic future, including a call to invest $9 billion in teacher preparation programs. But it is unclear whether Congress will support the proposal, let alone the $9 billion in long-overdue investments in teacher preparation.
But your voice can help move the needle. By participating in AACTE’s second virtual Day on the Hill, the association’s premiere advocacy event, you can talk to your Members of Congress about the importance of the work you do and how they can help address the nation’s teacher shortage as well as help diversify the profession, among other issues.
Members of Congress want to hear from you. You are their constituents. You know their communities and the successes and challenges in those communities. And you are experts in your field, helping them to understand the challenges and importance of education preparation programs.
AACTE’s Day on the Hill is a great way to engage with your Members of Congress. It provides you with the opportunity to weigh in on legislation that would help the educator profession, from advocating for the Public Loan Forgiveness Program for those that enter the teaching profession to supporting DREAMers and their aspiration to legally live in this country and pursue their education. There are many proposals for which you can advocate. The important thing is that you add your voice to the conversation.
I hope you join us in September for the Day on the Hill. To register, please visit aacte.org.
Tags: advocacy, events, federal issues, Washington Week
