The recent emergence of teacher-voice organizations presents a new avenue for teachers to have their voices heard in education policy conversations. These grassroots organizations focus on a wide range of policy issues and have popped up at a time when new policy initiatives, from teacher evaluation reform to the implementation of the common core state standards, are directly impacting the work of teachers.
Please join the Center for American Progress for a discussion about the emergence of these new teacher voice groups with the release of Kaitlin Pennington’s paper, “New Organizations, New Voices: The Landscape of Today’s Teachers Shaping Policy.” Kaitlin’s report analyzes the common characteristics of the numerous prominent teacher-voice organizations and fellowships while pointing out unique aspects of each group in order to highlight the many voices in a diverse movement. At a time when teachers are seeking new leadership opportunities and policymakers are proposing vast changes to the teaching profession, teacher-voice organizations and their members have a key role to play in shaping education policy.
Introduction:
Cynthia G. Brown, Vice President for Education Policy, Center for American Progress
Featured Speakers:
Leo Casey, Executive Director, The Albert Shanker Institute
Elizabeth Evans, Founding Chief Executive Officer, VIVA Teachers
Kaitlin Pennington, Education Policy Analyst, Center for American Progress
Lisa Watts, Executive Director, Teach Plus Memphis
William Wong, Teacher, Educators for Excellence Los Angeles Member, and President of the San Gabriel Teachers Association
Moderator:
Jenny DeMonte, Associate Director for Education Research, Center for American Progress