As every educator knows, your work is never really done. All year round, your students are still counting on you to keep them on the path to a great education. They’re counting on you to help elect or re-elect pro-public education candidates, and then to hold those elected officials accountable for their decisions. It’s more important than ever to get informed and involved in local, state and national politics. These to-do’s will help you accomplish just that.

1. Sign up to be an OEA Advocate for Children and Education (ACE). It should take less than a minute. Once you complete this process you will be able to take immediate action on many issues that affect public education.
    
2. Invite your colleagues to sign up too. Sharing good resources is second nature to educators—so spread the word! Challenge yourself to to invite five others be an ACE.
    
3. Don’t underestimate the power of social media. Make sure everyone in your network knows that you care passionately about public education—and show them how they can help us defend it! “Like” OEA on Facebook and Follow OEA on Twitter,  and share OEA’s posts on your Facebook and Twitter feeds.
    
4. Check out NEA’s Legislative Action Center for analysis of federal legislation that affects educators and students. You can also access NEA’s Congressional Report Card and the Ten Golden Rules of Lobbying, a list of great pointers on communicating with legislators. You’ll also find tips on drafting effective letters to the editor.
    
5. Last but not least, make sure your vote will be counted and keep your voter registration current. Using the resources gathered in the EdVotes Voter Protection Center, you can register to vote or confirm that you are registered, and check the requirements for voter identification, residency and early voting.

Do you have other ideas of quick and easy things everyone can do to get politically involved? Share them on OEA's Facebook page.

Adapted from an article by Amanda Litvinov / Photo copyright Moyan Brenn