Calling All Educators – The Vision Coalition Needs to Hear From You

On Monday, September 15th, the Vision Coalition of Delaware is presenting its draft plan, “A Vision for Education in Delaware in 2025,” also known as “ED25″ at a meeting aimed specifically at educators and groups that directly support educators. The meeting will take place at the Dover Public Library from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, and light refreshments will be provided.

If you’re a teacher, principal, school counselor, dean –- if you identify as an educator –- I hope you will join this important conversation and provide feedback on the plan to the Vision Coalition Leadership Team. I entered the classroom as a 6th grade teacher 10 years ago (almost to the day!). I often wish I was more involved in the local education scene while I was teaching, beyond the four walls of my classroom. I was pretty ignorant to the policies and practices occurring around me at the time, even though they directly affected my students and me. I know exactly why that was –- teaching was (and continues to be) the hardest job I have ever had. I had to put all my energy and focus into the students in front of me every day. I don’t regret that decision. However, I know I could have had a powerful voice in support of or in challenge to policies and practices that were going on around me at the time. My insights, opinions, and voice as a classroom teacher could have been a powerful lever for change –- much more powerful than any voice or influence I have now outside of the classroom.

The Vision Coalition is right to engage the voices of educators as they develop their plan. And while I know it is incredibly difficult to step away from grading, lesson planning, and the day-to-day (or evening-to-evening) activities of the classroom, I hope any and all educators –- especially teachers and principals –- can join this discussion and leverage their powerful voice. It needs to be heard.