This course is a book study of Celine Coggins How to Be Heard: 10 Lessons Teachers Need to Advocate for Their Students and Profession. Participants expand their knowledge and ability to influence educational policy and professional practice. The content will support participants to be at the forefront of modeling excellence in education at the local, state and national level.

This book demonstrates that when teachers' voices are heard, they will be rightfully recognized and supported as change leaders in their schools. Celine Coggins, a renowned teacher advocate, offers nuts-and-bolts strategies that are recognized as the "price of admission" to becoming a credible and welcomed participant in important policy conversations and decisions. The author clearly demonstrates that it is not only possible for teachers to initiate change, but to also effectively participate on the policy playing field.

This how-to guide is filled with concrete ideas for engaging in productive decision-making, using real-world examples from teachers who have successfully used these strategies.

Required Text: 

• How to Be Heard: 10 Lessons Teachers Need to Advocate for Their Students and Profession by Celine Coggins

Upon completion of this course, learners should be able to:

• Develop their influence in advocacy by critically thinking about viable strategies to real-time educational policy.
• Articulate his/her opinion on either side of the debate to frame policy decision making.
• Determine policies that need to be at the systematic level to those that can be created and implemented at the local level.
• Create equality of opportunity for students to succeed in school through advocacy in educational policy.
• Initiate change by effectively participating in the educational policy at the local, state and national level.