Five Ways to Raise Your Hand For Public Education
By Brenda Álvarez
Concrete action creates measureable results. And that’s what NEA’s “Raise Your Hand” Campaign (RYH) is all about—moving beyond talk to delivering measureable results for students. Since summer, the campaign has inspired educators to take charge of their profession and take responsibility for developing the next generation of teachers.
But RYH is more than a campaign, and it’s much larger than NEA. RYH is a movement—one that is bringing people together and lifting up good ideas, smart policies and successful programs.
Best of all, educators who become a part of the campaign can suit the level of involvement that suits them best—from long term to a few hours a week.
How to Raise Your HandBecome a Cooperating Teacher—An educator’s experience is an invaluable roadmap for college and university students entering the teaching profession. Cooperating teachers can help student teachers become classroom ready by helping them plan and apply curriculum and develop teaching methods. Cooperating teachers can assess future teachers’ growth and challenges and provide basic information, including school rules, policies, and classroom management.
Vickie Marht
Vickie Marht, a speech pathologist from Mclean County in Illinois admits being a cooperating teacher takes work, “but it’s important for experienced teachers to pass along their wisdom and experience to newer members of the profession. It was also a valuable experience for me, as I learned about different approaches [to teaching] and current research.”
Contact your local teacher preparation program to become a cooperating teacher.
Join Program Approval Boards and Education Committees—Program approval boards and education committees give teachers the opportunity to contribute beyond the classroom, and make a