For most early career educators, the concept of political action may seem daunting. Many of us have been told “fly under the radar” or “keep your head down” until we achieve tenure. But just because we are public employees does not mean that we shouldn’t have a voice.
One may ask, “why spend time concerning myself with politics?” I understand that the passion we have for teaching or serving students may blind us to the power elected officials have over what happens in our schools, but education is an inherently political career. Our livelihoods, standards, and working conditions are all determined by the elected and appointed government officials on the local, state and national levels. If we apply the same passion we have for planning engaging lessons, caring for students’ needs, and fostering their developmental and academic growth to political issues concerning public schools, the students are the winners in the end.
There is a misconception in our society that educators should be martyrs. Advocating for school funding, safe working conditions or collective bargaining improves public education. When educators are thriving, students are thriving. This article serves to offer suggestions to members that may be hesitant to draw attention upon themselves through political action. There are many ways to practice citizenry without fear of retaliation.
Know your rights
The first step into political action is knowing your rights in and out of school. Districts are not allowed to discriminate based on protected classes such as race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, and others. However, educators carry the responsibility to comply with district contracts and handbooks. Various court cases have upheld the First Amendment rights of educators to free speech. (Pickering v. BOE [1968], Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District [1969], Garcetti v. Ceballos [2006]). While educators do not surrender their freedom of speech at the schoolhouse gate, those rights are strongest when they are expressing themselves as private citizens speaking on matters of public concern. Speech that might be considered political action should be reserved for outside of the classroom. (See mtsu.edu/first-amendment/article/973/rights-of-teachers.)
Find your passion
There are many different areas in which educators can lend their voices. It is important to pick an issue that is meaningful to you, one that you can advocate with passion. Consider curriculum, working conditions, compensation, and other public school matters when deciding how you can best advocate for public school employees and students. Once you have determined your area of interest, NJEA can provide advocacy training to support you. Visit njea.org/learning/advocacy-training.
Be a mindful voter
Every election cycle, NJEA publishes a guide of candidates that have been endorsed by the NJEA Political Action Committee. This guide provides members with information on which candidates have pledged support for public school students and employees. One such candidate is incumbent Gov. Phil Murphy who worked closely with union leaders and public health officials during the COVID-19 pandemic in an effort to provide uninterrupted, safe education to students across the state. When voting, it is important to consider who will work in the best interest of public schools among other issues you consider significant. See pages 32 of this edition of the NJEA Review.
Take part in group movements
NJEA hosts an “Action Center that helps members in participate in campaigns, advocate for legislation, learn about events, and sign petitions. When members work together as a large group, on state or county issues they build a network of support with seasoned educators and advocates who were themselves once early educators. Most of the Action Center information can be sent directly to your email by indicating issues that are important to you.
Volunteer in your free time
Groups such as the NJEA or other community-focused interest groups are glad to take volunteers that help spread the word about their organizations. Acting as an individual on behalf of one of these groups at an event can help influence constituents and candidates to support public school issues by sharing information.
Contact local officials and community leaders
NJEA’s Political Action Guide offers tips for contacting government officials including the New Jersey State Legislature and State Board of Education. The guide is downloadable at actioncenter.njea.org and it recommends strategies for writing letters, making phone calls, submitting testimony during a public session, and engaging with officials on social media. You are a constituent of the elected officials in your town, state, and country. You have a First Amendment right to “petition” them and have your voices heard.
Ellen Bacon, a member of the NJEA Early Career Educators Network, is a special education teacher at Pond Road Middle School in Robbinsville.