Awakening the Biology Education Advocates within Us All

Abstract

I was recently chatting with a fellow NABT member and the conversation turned toward a discussion of advocacy and its role within professional organizations. My thoughts drifted back to my days as a member of the National Education Association's (NEA) Congressional Contact Team. This network of teacher/leaders from across the country maintained regular communication with members of Congress to help them understand the impact of potential legislation on students and teachers. In that context, we were advocates for or against particular issues or legislation and were actively helping to advance the political advocacy program of the NEA Representative Assembly. We were aided in our endeavors by well-trained and organized political-advocacy staff members. Many professional organizations have such staff and are actively engaged in the mission of direct lobbying and political action. Presently NABT is not among them, but that doesn't mean that there is no advocacy for biology education within NABT. First, we have a responsibility as professional educators and citizens to not sit on the sidelines as politicians make decisions about education in general and …