Teachers as Advocates for Change: Lessons for Leaders Sarah Applegate, NBC Teacher-Librarian River Ridge High School, Lacey Washington Marianne Hunter, NBC Teacher-Librarian Timberline High School, Lacey Washington

Goals Participants will learn how to: Develop a Message Create an Action Plan Think about how to implement powerful change in your school and building!

Our Stories From “no way” to “okay”

What You’ll Leave With An Articulated Vision An Advocacy Plan Framework And the confidence to start to have your voice heard!

Advocacy: As Easy as A, B, C

What are the ABCs? A rticulate a Vision B e Strategic C ommunicate Continuously

Articulate a Vision

Threshold Messages What do people need to know, believe, or care about in order to become engaged with your organization or issue? What obstacles do you have to acknowledge and overcome to get people over this threshold? Solution Messages And the World Will Be a Better Place Because... What is the projected outcome? Offer up suggestions of how, if people do what you say, their lives (or the lives of their students) will be better. Action Messages What is the purpose of your message? What do you want the people who connect to your organization to do? Do you want different things from different audiences? Do you have different goals for different campaigns? Be specific. Reinforcement Messages What are some statistics, anecdotes, clichés and sound bites we can use to support and reinforce these messages? Is their research that can be cited? What personal stories help make your point?

Model Save Our Space Needle!

Finnish Practice in Washington Schools Next, you will get to talk to like minded people in the room and work on a message and plan!

Working with building administrators Karen Remy-Anderson, Principal River Ridge High School How can teachers best advocate for programs with their building principal?

Working with building administrators What were Karen’s key points? What surprised you? What didn’t? Questions raised? Any new information you can take with you?

Be Strategic

Be Strategic Question #1 What does your school and/or district really care about? What are the key: Concerns? Programs? Initiatives?

Be Strategic Question #2 Who are the movers and shakers in your school? Who is respected? Who gets things done? Title, Power, and Influence Who do you want to speak for and with you?

Be Strategic Question #3 How do things really get done in your building or district? Priority setting? Budget and Spending? Decision Making?

Be Strategic Who else cares about this? Potential allies Who might be opposed to this? Potential obstacles Who are the “deciders?” Fill out the “receptivity chart” and share with your group.

Receptivity Chart NamePositionInfluence in school or district Willingness to participate Interest or stake in idea

Strategic Plan Given who the movers and shakers are and how decisions really get made in your building... Create a strategic plan for how to share your vision with people at your school.

Components of Strategic Plan Message Goal(s) Tasks (include possible audience) Timeline Persons responsible Measures of success and reflection

Measures of Success: Persons Responsible for Each Task: Timelines: Tasks: Be Strategic Action Plan

Communicate Continuously

Revisit your message You have created a vision You have planned strategically NOW... You will need to communicate Who is your audience? Who will need to hear your message? Who will deliver it?

Activity: Elevator Speech You have time for 3-5 sentences before your administrator leaves “the elevator.” What can you say that will convey your message? You have 5 mins to write your speech on a sticky note before the elevator comes… Pair up, stand up, and deliver speech Swap

ABCs at the building level Create a vision and be clear and articulate about it Create a strategy for bringing others to your side Share your vision often! And, find others to talk for you!