Teachers as Policy Actors

• In Event: Centering Teachers as Policy Actors: Structuring Inclusive and Sustainable Educator Engagement in Policy-Making

Abstract

Individual poster descriptions
Poster #1: “Breaking Barriers to Educator Engagement in Policy”, This poster invites participants to
explore the systemic barriers that prevent educators from participating meaningfully in education policy-making. The interactive station uses post-its and Padlet prompts to surface experiences, identify institutional obstacles, and crowdsource solutions. Participants reflect on local, state, and national examples where access is limited or denied, and propose transparent, flexible models for teacher engagement. A key data point highlights that only nine states reserve seats for teachers on state boards of education. This station elevates educator insight as a form of policy expertise.

Poster #2: “Institutionalizing Teacher and Student Voice in Policy”, This station focuses on formal
structures that can amplify educator and student voices across policy levels. Participants examine models for embedding teacher voice in legislative and advisory processes and respond to prompts on how to create authentic, sustained representation. Drawing from examples such as Colorado's H.B. 21-1010 Diversity in Educator Workforce Workgroup, participants generate ideas for advisory councils, policy design teams, and engagement protocols that go beyond tokenism. The poster incorporates QR-linked data from national and state teacher diversity and voice studies.

Poster #3: “Scaling Engagement Through Digital Democracy”, This poster explores how digital platforms can democratize and expand educator participation in policymaking. Prompts encourage participants to ideate accessible, scalable methods for state-wide engagement using tools such as surveys, digital advisory boards, and collaborative hubs. Interactive reflection is captured on Padlet and via linked infographics. Participants propose innovative pathways for sustained digital engagement and accountability. Framing is grounded in participatory democracy, equity in voice, and the use of technology to bridge geographic and systemic divides.

Authors

• Valerie Richmond, University of Colorado - Denver

• Maya Garcia, University of Colorado - Denver