How to Be Heard

THE BOOK FOR EVERY TEACHER WHO HAS EVER BEEN FRUSTRATED BY THE DECISIONS MADE OUTSIDE THEIR SCHOOL THAT AFFECT THE STUDENTS INSIDE THEIR SCHOOL.

How to Be Heard offers every teacher 10 ways to successfully amplify his or her voice, and demonstrates that when teachers' voices are heard, they will be rightfully recognized and supported as change leaders in their schools. Celine Coggins, a renowned teacher advocate, offers nuts-and-bolts strategies that are recognized as the "price of admission" to becoming a credible and welcomed participant in important policy conversations and decisions. The author clearly demonstrates that it is not only possible for teachers to initiate change, but to also effectively participate on the policy playing field.

In ten clear chapters, the author demonstrates how teachers can and must advocate for their students and their profession. Throughout this book Coggins proves that "If you're not at the table, you're on the menu."

This how-to guide is filled with concrete ideas for engaging in productive decision-making, using real-world examples from teachers who have successfully used these strategies.

About the Author vii

Foreword ix

Acknowledgments xiii

Preface xv

CHAPTER ONE: Storytelling.

LESSON: Advocacy Starts with Your Why 1

CHAPTER TWO: Expertise.

LESSON: There Are No Experts 19

CHAPTER THREE: History.

LESSON: The Policies That Impact Your

Classroom Are Not Random 37

CHAPTER FOUR: Language.

LESSON: Bilingualism Is the Price of

Admission to Decision Making 61

CHAPTER FIVE: Equity.

LESSON: Equity Is Everything (and Nothing) 83

CHAPTER SIX: Resources.

LESSON: “Is It Good for Kids?” Is the Wrong Question 101

CHAPTER SEVEN: Accountability.

LESSON: Accountability Is Inescapable 119

CHAPTER EIGHT: Individuals and Groups.

LESSON: There Is No Such Thing as One Best Policy for All 135

CHAPTER NINE: Power.

LESSON: If You’re Not at the Table, You’re on the Menu 151

CHAPTER TEN: Taking Action.

LESSON: Your Story Has to Meet the Moment 169

Index 183

CELINE COGGINS is the founder of Teach Plus, a teacher leadership organization working with over 25,000 teachers across the United States. She is an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Harvard University and has been featured in The New York Times, Time, The Washington Post, and US News & World Report.

THE BOOK FOR EVERY TEACHER WHO HAS EVER BEEN FRUSTRATED BY THE DECISIONS MADE OUTSIDE THEIR SCHOOL THAT AFFECT THE STUDENTS INSIDE THEIR SCHOOL.

How to Be Heard offers every teacher 10 ways to successfully amplify his or her voice, and demonstrates that when teachers' voices are heard, they will be rightfully recognized and supported as change leaders in their schools. Celine Coggins, a renowned teacher advocate, offers nuts-and-bolts strategies that are recognized as the "price of admission" to becoming a credible and welcomed participant in important policy conversations and decisions. The author clearly demonstrates that it is not only possible for teachers to initiate change, but to also effectively participate on the policy playing field.

In ten clear chapters, the author demonstrates how teachers can and must advocate for their students and their profession. Throughout this book Coggins proves that "If you're not at the table, you're on the menu."

This how-to guide is filled with concrete ideas for engaging in productive decision-making, using real-world examples from teachers who have successfully used these strategies.

PRAISE FOR HOW TO BE HEARD

"This book is a must-read for teachers. It's filled with insight on how our educators can influence game-changing policy and practice while putting kids' success at the forefront."
—Hanna Skandera, Secretary of Education, State of New Mexico

"Teachers have a voice, and in this book Celine teaches educators how to strategically use it. It's like the Teach Plus Fellowship in a bottle!"
—Marilyn Rhames, writer, nonprofit leader, and Teach Plus Fellowship alumna

"In How to Be Heard, Celine shares her belief in the creative power of teaching with the lessons learned from her years leading Teach Plus—lessons that can help every teacher to understand the intricacies of policy, to develop skills in advocacy, and to escape the frustration of not being heard in decisions that affect their classrooms and their students."
—Steve Robinson, teacher and former White House education adviser under President Obama