Leadership and Advocacy in Educational Endeavors

TEL 410

Lesson 2: Advocacy Action Plan

Assignment: Advocacy Action Plan - Advocacy Action Plan
Points Available: 100 Points

L2: Assignment - Advocacy Action Plan - Template

Design/Challenge Question (revised from the framing exercise):

How can we, as a society, raise awareness to increase the salaries of educators and ensure
they are receiving livable wages that match their dedication to teaching?

Advocacy Focus Statement (revised from the framing exercise):

Raising awareness and advocating for an increase in educator salaries will empower
educators to remain in their classroom, live in the communities they teach in, and ensure
students receive the best education.

Actionable Goals: (You can have 1-3 Goals. Goals should be written as SMART Goals:
Specific Measurable, Achievable, Results-Focused, Time Bound). For example: By the
end of TEL 410, I will contact 3 state legislatures to discuss school safety.

1. By the end of this course, I will contact 2 educator unions, one at state level and one
at local level, to discuss what they have done to advocate for increasing educator
salaries

2. I will discuss with 1 educator, who currently work at a school in Colorado, their
personal feelings on this issue and if they have taken part in advocating for increased
wages

3. By the end of this course, I will contact 2 state legislators to find out what they are
doing to help increase the salaries of educators in Colorado
Actions: List specific actions you will take to achieve your goals here. You should have
several action items for each goal. Think through, and list, each step you will need to
take to achieve your goal.

o Research which state legislators have been for increasing the salaries of educators in
Colorado
o Contact them directly through e-mail or phone call
o Present my issue and the reason why I contacted them
o Write down their responses and thank them for their time
o Research new initiatives that will be on the ballot for consideration (if any)
o Identify any previous bills that sought to increase salaries
o Find out why they failed to be passed or placed on the ballot
o Summarize what each bill sought to accomplish
o Interview current educators
o Set up 30 minute interviews with each individual
o Find out what they think about increasing salaries
o Identify how involved they need to be to ensure their students’ needs are met
o Thank them for the interview
o Reach out to teacher unions
o Colorado Education Association
 Find out what they have done to advocate for increase salaries
 How much they charge for membership
 Their current goals and how they wish to achieve them
o Boulder Valley Education Association
 Find out how their advocacy has helped educators
 What they have done to push for increased salaries
 Their current goals and how they seek to accomplish them on the local
level

Timeline (list dates, deadlines):

1. Reach out to both legislators and teacher unions by next week for research and
identifying their goals – 10/27-11/6

2. Set up 1 interview with a current educator before 11/17 to ensure I receive responses
before the Interview Transcription due date

3. Continue researching and gathering information to learn more about bills, laws, and
initiatives to increase the salaries of educators – 10/27- 11/27
Budget/Resource (membership fees, electronic resources, etc.):
*these may be tangible or intangible resources

 At least 2 hours for interviews with current educator and 2 state legislators (if a phone
call is required)
 Access to e-mail at all times
 Access to pens and paper pads for notation and writing down data

Build your Team (create your own team, or align yourself to an organization already
involved in your advocacy focus work):
**This section may list team members or contact information for the organization
you are working with.

I will align myself with the Boulder Valley Education Association to help me move my
advocacy plan forward and, since this may be the teacher’s union I join once I become an
elementary school educator, I want to learn more about their goals and membership.

Contact Information:

1345 Plaza Ct N, Lafayette, Colorado

Phone: (303) 444-4486