Communication for Fierce Advocacy: Developing and Leveraging Relationships with Reporters

Series description: It is so important in the fight for educational equity that the voices and experiences of students and teachers are heard. Whether through writing, speaking, or through social media, it is crucial that we speak out in the face of injustice and not stay silent about the things that matter. We want to hear from educators of color in the classroom on the most pressing issues happening in education and give you an elevated platform to amplify your voice.

That is why EdTrust is hosting a series of monthly “Communications for Fierce Advocacy” trainings aimed to connect educators of color with communications experts to build and amplify teachers’ advocacy voice through various mediums and communications outlets. Such mediums and platforms include opinion pieces including op-eds and blogs, leveraging social media, and how to conquer media interviews around topics that are bubbling up in your state that are also national hot topics.

Monday May 20 (6-7pm ET): Developing and Leveraging Relationships with Reporters

• Description: Reporters often need the voices and stories on the ground to inform their reporting or cover a breaking story. Educators have an opportunity to shape media narratives as the people closest to the issues happening in the classroom and how students are affected by the world around them. Developing relationships with reporters is key to ensuring the right voices are amplified and heard. In this session, advocates will learn how to do a media scan of which reporters are in their network, learn how to leverage social media to build relationships, and hear from reporters themselves on the importance of teacher voices in the media.
• Agenda:
  • Who Is In My Network? Identifying Reporters and Outlets
  • Leveraging Social Media Networks to Build Relationships
  • Your Story Matters! Finding Your Voice & Lane
  • Wrap-up and Next Steps Towards Action