Intern View: Legislative Advocacy Conference
This past week I had the opportunity to join
AASA in person for its Legislative Advocacy conference. I’ve come to understand
that the superintendency can be a solitary position. Conferences are a great
opportunity to gather around a community that's driven toward the same goal,
sharing the challenges of districts and learning from the successes of others.
The content of the sessions at the conference
itself were specific and intentional, as opposed to general statements and a
pat on the back. The sessions, specifically the update from AASA’s advocacy
team, dove into the nitty gritty of what superintendents need to know when they
face Capitol Hill. The new advocacy app, which debuted at the
conference, is sure to be a great resource to continue work on AASA’s 2021 Legislative Agenda.
It was also great to hear from the deputy
secretary of education. In the past year, the politicization of education has
increased even more. It was reassuring to hear that Cindy Marten is focused on
the student. As a former teacher, she is determined to keep these things in
sight.
On Tuesday, I was able to speak with
president-elect Shari Camhi, superintendent in Baldwin, N.Y. She was passionate
about the need to reinvent education. She emphasized that education has to be
built around the students, not the adults. She also commented on the necessity
to move the idea of what lessons we’ve learned from COVID (what to keep, what
to lose) past simple rhetoric and into actions. PBS did a special
on her district and we discussed her district's robust website. It seems AASA’s
future is in good hands.
I used to be interested in advocacy, social
justice and public education. I believe public education is the key to success.
It's a way out of poverty, it was my parents’ key to class mobility and it is
vital to our democracy. Everyone has a part they can play in pushing schools
forward, not just educators. From this conference, I've learned that I can take
the skills I have in digital media and communications and apply them to worthy
causes. Every organization needs a variety of parts and skillsets to work as
one body moving forward. In my last blog post I noted how everyone works
together, taking on various roles, because they believe in the work. Throughout
the Legislative Advocacy Conference, I saw that attitude growing within me as
well.
When I speak to people about working in
education, they immediately jump to conclusions about classrooms being too
political, about the pawn education has become in political games and a weapon
of whatever rhetoric they feel most threatened by. This is not what I saw.
These sessions revolved around crumbling school buildings, child nutrition,
safe and speedy returns from COVID, plans for natural disasters, equitable
internet access for students, etc. These are not dubious figures scheming on
the best way to indoctrinate children. They are vulnerable servants with hearts
that are burdened with care for the wellbeing and success of America's
children.
In his installation Paul Imhoff,
superintendent of Upper Arlington (Ohio) School District, spoke on the
importance of love. I saw that love across the conference. Love for each other,
as members caught up on their families and hugged one another. Love for their
districts as they compared and contrasted what works for what district and
grilled panelists on behalf of their students. Above all, there was love for
students and public education.
Watch the videos here:
2021 Legislative Advocacy Conference - Kristi Wilson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MchADwI7jWA
2021 Legislative Advocacy Conference - AASA President Paul Imhoff
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56eMXvXsRig
2021 Legislative Advocacy Conference - AASA President-elect Shari Camhi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaCwK47ho40
2021 Legislative Advocacy Conference - Shane Hotchkiss
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y60S1wOHt9g