Making Your Expert Voice Heard: Opportunities in Education

Sometimes, years go by and not much changes. We teach the same classes, have the same schedule, and even eat the same lunch every day. It can be pretty easy to get stuck in the bubbles of our own schools or districts. The people we work with most closely might get the benefit of the work we create and share, but that’s about it. As a result, the instructional contributions that come from so many teacher voices are unnecessarily muted. However, it is absolutely possible to broaden horizons and try out new things, and that includes getting involved in education opportunities outside of our immediate spheres. Some of the options below are a little more time-intensive (and potentially costly) than others, so picking just one that best fits your current situation is a great place to begin.

Education Conferences

Throughout the entire year, different organizations run conferences or events that give participants and speakers the opportunity to learn from educators around the country, or perhaps even the world. One way to learn more about opportunities like this is by getting connected with organizations that bring together teachers from specific grade levels or content areas. For example, I’ve been an ELA and literacy teacher for most of my career, so I am a member of organizations such as the International Literacy Association (ILA) and the National Council for Teachers of English (NCTE). Through my involvement with both, I have been able to engage with so many new faces, both through presenting my own ideas and by attending an array of sessions that help with professional growth. 
It should also be noted that travel requires money and commitment, so most of the organizations that run conferences also provide online learning opportunities, such as regular webinars. The best way to get involved without making a lasting commitment is to try out any of these virtual learning sessions and see whether it might be worthwhile to start engaging more actively by attending a live event.

Publications

In 2019, I had a really frustrating few days at work, and those feelings fueled two articles that were both accepted for publication shortly thereafter. I had never really thought much about publishing in the education field before that happened, but five years (and four books) later, I’m so glad to have stumbled on a way to write about the work I love and share it with others.
When people ask me how to make a writing career happen, my advice is always the same: start small, and make sure to write about something you know a good deal about. Everyone has important messages to impart, and that is doubly true of teachers who are working on the ground in extremely challenging times. Hone a message, write a few short pieces, and keep trying to get them published (it can be difficult, but be persistent) in education blogs or websites. Once that ball gets rolling and your writing identity is more solidified, it is much easier to build a collection of pieces that may ultimately lead to something bigger.

In-House Expertise

If presenting at conferences or publishing isn’t your cup of tea, no problem. There is still one very effective way to share your voice without having to go anywhere at all. School leaders often bear the brunt of professional learning in any building, but that should not be the case. Teachers are instructional experts and therefore have so much practical and applicable knowledge that can benefit their colleagues.

Suppose, for example, that you are particularly adept at ensuring that your classroom is student-centered. During your classes, kids take on much of the responsibility for learning by leading some of the activities, by talking to one another about their progress, and by remaining engaged. If administrators are looking to help other teachers get the same kinds of results, you can offer to help develop an upcoming training. Not only will colleagues benefit from hearing from someone who is in the same job role as they are, but they will also likely be more attentive and willing to try some of the methods that have clearly worked with students. 

As teachers, we might feel as though we are using our voices a lot; however, that doesn’t mean that we feel heard or appreciated. Ultimately, education is about sharing knowledge to benefit the practice of those around us, and to have a productive impact on student growth. By finding ways to extend our experiences beyond four classroom walls, we can make a visible impact on a much larger group of people. As we close out this calendar year and start making goals for the months ahead, maybe it’s finally time to take a few steps toward getting ourselves out there a little bit more in 2025.

Written by Miriam Plotinsky, Education World Contributing Writer
Miriam Plotinsky is an instructional specialist with Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland, where she has taught and led for more than 20 years. She is the author of several education books with W.W. Norton and ASCD. She is also a National Board-Certified Teacher with additional certification in administration and supervision. She can be reached at www.miriamplotinsky.com or via Twitter: @MirPloMCPS