Teacher Power

Pick up a political sign—are you comfortable marching at rallies? Standing up in front of others? If you’re thinking, “No, it doesn’t really make a difference anyway,” think again. Your presence—the face of a teacher with a message—has an impact.

Last November, the Jefferson County Teachers Association (JCTA) in Louisville, Kentucky, proved just that as they ushered all of their recommended school board candidates into office. Their secret? They knew that people really do listen to teachers—and they knew it for a fact, because they had tested it scientifically and got inspiring results.

In a prior election, JCTA was working on two races, one in an affluent area, one blue collar. In each district, JCTA sent teachers to hold signs at half of the polling places, randomly chosen. The signs told voters which candidates had earned teachers’ support.

The encouraging results: About 10 percent more votes for the teachers’ candidates in precincts where teachers held signs.