This year NCTE will be focusing on advocacy so we can learn together how to advocate in our classroom, our community, and our nation. So on this day, a day of personal resolutions, perhaps another resolution can be promised: to advocate, to learn to advocate, to be educated on the issues.
Advocacy is not just something that is done in the halls of Congress, state legislatures, or federal and state agencies. It is not limited to school boards or city hall. It is in the classroom—with parents or principals, deans and administrators. Every time you speak up for a child or a teen or young adult, you are advocating. So this year, when the CCCC and the Annual Convention are focused on giving you the skills you need to speak up for education, consider what you might do to participate and to learn.
Consider resolving to do one of the following:
- Attend Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill with fellow members Thursday, February 25, 2016.
- Choose from the many activities that will be posted on the Advocacy Calendar.
- Attend the CCCC or Annual Convention.
- Sign up for and read the Literacy & NCTE blog to learn about the issues or advocacy techniques.
- Read the policy analyst reports to know the issues in your state.
- Read, write, speak, and listen. You ask your students to do this every day.
You offer a perspective no one else has. Your voice should be heard. So, on this first day of 2016, we encourage you to include a resolution to advocate for yourself and your students. Together, we will make a difference.