Today, we speak with Jeff Van Hulten about education policy and how teachers can get involved. Jeff Van Hulten is a legal professional who is passionate about public service and helps shape education policy through his roles with the Utah State Board of Education and now the Utah State Legislature. Jeff understands that teacher programs are not primarily focused on politics and policy, and he has special skills in helping others understand the political jargon. He even established Utah’s first Student Advisory Council for the Board. The council’s impact was significant and played a vital role in influencing key decisions and policies initiated by the board. According to Jeff, the Utah State Legislature is one of the most accessible legislatures in the country. If teachers are passionate about an issue or policy, they can and should reach out to their legislators to make their voices and opinions known. Jeff details how to do that and even shares success stories where the voice of teachers had a measurable impact on bills passed into law. If you want to learn more about the Utah State Legislature and how to engage in the policy making process as a teacher, tune in on Wednesday, October 18th.
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