Acts of Engagement

Photo by Photodisc

Remember the first time you voted? The first time you raised a fist of solidarity? Sent a missive to your congresswoman? Go ahead—grin. It was probably a very cool moment. After all, you’d just tested one of the first lessons in American civics: that ours is a society that every day gives us the chance to say what’s on our minds, whether powerful people like it or not. Through the vote, the press, our own loud voices, we have a right to make noise, to affect change.

Democracy. Cool, indeed.

At NEA Today, we’ve been listening to what’s on your minds this election season—your “noise”—and the volume is definitely up, about flawed education laws, about misguided lawmakers, about the disrespect for public educators that seems to undergird federal policy.

So now the question: Where will your indignation lead? Will you hit the streets as you did 5, 15, 30 years ago over affirmative action, AIDS, Vietnam? Will you shout out at your city council meeting over cutbacks in school construction? Will you trek around your neighborhood block with leaflets in support of that awesome school board member on the warpath against poor teacher pay? See the latest compensation study in “A Teacher’s Worth.”

Exactly what moves you to act, only you know for sure. The great news is that you can. We also serve up the delightful stories of some of your colleagues who asked, “Why not me?” and are now running for office. See “Schoolhouse to Statehouse.” You’ll love their audacity and spirit—and most of all, their belief that there’s plenty all of us can do, big and little, that counts as throwing our hats in the ring.

With so much at stake for educators in this election year and beyond, with that quintessential issue of respect looming so large, we trust you will find the right thing for you—just don’t forget to look. Recall your first “acts of engagement” and be re-inspired. Shout, sing, run, vote, hit the streets, make change. And have a blast while you do.

We’ll be watching, listening, and waiting for your reports.

Editor-in-Chief Marilyn Milloy