Developing a Public Presence as a District Teacher of the Year State Teacher Forum Conference November 2016 1

Questions To Ask Yourself How do I present myself in a way that best represents the district and my profession? How do I engage with community leaders in a positive, productive manner? How do I effectively and appropriately express my views on educational issues? How do I respond to criticism about my district or my profession? 2

Scenario One You want to solicit contributions from local businesses for a project the Forum is undertaking which will benefit the students of the district. You send a letter to all the businesses in your community asking for a donation for the Teacher Forum project. 3

More Effective Approach You write a general solicitation letter that fully explains the project and then you visit each business personally, introducing yourself and sharing the information in the letter. If you do not receive an immediate response, you leave the letter and your contact information with the individual and you follow up at a later time to inquire again about the possible donation. 4

Scenario Two You want to ask a local legislator to come and speak to your teacher forum You leave him a voicemail message saying that you are requesting that he speak to the District Teacher Forum about legislative issues 5

More Effective Approach You write a letter that shares who you are, what you do, and your role as the DTOY; you thank him for his support of public education; you then explain what the Teacher Forum is and invite him to come speak to the Forum about a specified legislative issue. You follow-up with a phone call and/or email if you do not receive a response. 6

Scenario Three A local newspaper reporter asks what teachers in your district think about the state-mandated teacher evaluation system. You respond that teachers think it is unfair because their rating may be based in part on student performance. 7

Partner Discussion In what ways was the response effective/productive or ineffective/unproductive? What are some alternative responses and why might an alternative response be better? 8

One Possible Response I welcome performance evaluation as long as the process is meaningful and objective, and constructive feedback is provided. I agree that student performance should be a part of what is considered, but other aspects of a teacher’s performance also should be a part of the evaluation. 9

Another Possible Response Teachers I speak with in our District welcome performance evaluation as long as the process is meaningful and objective, and constructive feedback is provided. We agree that student performance should be a part of what is considered, but other aspects of a teacher’s performance also should be a part of the evaluation. 10

Scenario Four Your Forum has asked you to meet with the administration to ask why the district has not yet caught up on the frozen salary step increases imposed several years ago. You schedule a meeting with the superintendent and at the meeting you ask him what he and the Board plan to do about the matter. 11

Partner Discussion In what ways will this approach likely be productive/effective or unproductive/ineffective? What are some other ways the conversation could be handled? 12

One Possible Approach You thank the Superintendent for meeting with you and you share that you and other teachers have been anxious to learn when the frozen step increase might be corrected. You share that you understand the budgetary constraints the district has been under, but that you would like to know if there has been any administrative discussion about resolving this issue. 13

Scenario Five The State Board of Education (SBE) is considering revising its regulations to allow districts to increase class sizes in the elementary schools. You attend a SBE meeting and sign up to address the Board. When it is your turn to speak, you say that this change would place an undue burden on teachers. 14

Partner Discussion In what ways will your comments likely be well-received and effective or unproductive/ineffective? How could your comments be more effective? 15

One Possible Approach You introduce yourself and your role and you thank the Board members for the opportunity to speak. You acknowledge budgetary issues that districts are facing but offer that raising class size limits so as to decrease the number of teachers needed would negatively impact students academically, as well as in social/emotional ways –especially in the early grades. 16

General “Dos” Identify yourself and your role/position Connect your role to the purpose of the meeting or request Be familiar with your host or audience Know your facts Be organized, prepared and concise Offer solutions or alternatives Be appreciative of past support 17

General “Don’ts” Be Impolite or disrespectful Offer only criticisms and objections Forget to thank the host or audience Follow-up in some manner 18

Jane Turner, Executive Director QUESTIONS? Jane Turner, Executive Director turnerj@cerra.org www.cerra.org facebook.com/cerrasc CERRA App on Google Play & Apple App Stores @cerrasc