Emily Pearson, elementary education major, at University of Idaho
Like a lot of Aspiring Educators in rural, conservative states, I’m stepping into this profession at a time when public education feels under attack. But instead of pushing me away, that reality has pushed me to raise my voice.
My advocacy journey really began when an Idaho Education Association (IEA) staff member visited one of my classes and talked about vouchers and how they harm our public schools. Vouchers were already on my radar, but something clicked when I heard how the union was organizing against them. I realized I didn’t have to sit on the sidelines. I could be a part of the work.
Last year, a voucher scheme—which siphons money from Idaho public schools—was signed into law, even as our public schools remain chronically underfunded. We struggle to hire and retain teachers. We don’t have enough staff to support students with behavioral needs. And yet, instead of investing in public schools, lawmakers continue to advance policies like vouchers that divert resources and frame education as part of a culture war.
Anti-union sentiment is real. But I’ve learned that when you start small—sharing policy updates in class, inviting classmates to meetings, encouraging them to attend school board sessions—you create community.
One of my proudest moments was bringing five Aspiring Educators to Boise for IEA Lobby Day. We met with the governor’s education policy advisor and told her honestly: “If things continue the way they are, we’re not sure teaching in Idaho is in our future.” She listened. That mattered. For once, pre-service teachers were in the room!
What keeps me going is the support from the Aspiring Educators program and the broader IEA community. When we were rebuilding our chapter, active members across the region stepped in. They gave me their phone numbers. They made sure I got into the right meetings. Instead of treating me like “just a college student,” they treated me like a colleague whose voice belongs at the table.
Advocacy has become the most meaningful part of my teacher preparation. It’s made my program feel purposeful and urgent. Even when it’s hard, it fills my cup. I’m fighting for future students and alongside peers who, despite heavy course loads and unpaid student teaching, show up anyway.
Read more on how Aspiring Educators are building power by lobbying legislators: Why Lobby Day Matters to Idaho’s Future Educators.
