Other- Relating policy talk to inside the classroom.

I completely agree that what goes on inside the classroom needs to influence policy talk. Unfortunately, not all legislatures that develop school reforms have had experience working inside a classroom. Therefore, it is our duty as teachers to voice our opinion and attend district meetings in order to inform the public how school reforms should change. At my high school, the 'Teacher of the Year' is part of a committee of teachers around the district that attend weekly meetings at the District Office. After each meeting, she sends an e-mail out to all teachers at the high school indicating the main points discussed in the meeting. She then asks for feedback from the rest of the faculty. I think this is a great way for the majority of teachers to voice their opinion in a way that eliminates time consuming meetings. I think that the biggest reason why many teachers are not involved with legislative decisions is because of the demanding obligations of being just a teacher. Lesson plans, parent conferences, grading, assigned duties, faculty meetings, tutoring, and the list can go on and on. The demanding duties of a teacher can resort to exhaustion and little energy towards voicing opinions about legislative decisions. However, I at least think that it is a start to include the 'Teacher of the Year' candidates to be THE voice of the school so the policymakers will at least have a point of view from the classroom teachers.