Principal T.J. Ebert recently attended the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) National School Leaders Advocacy Conference, an event held in collaboration with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). The conference provided school leaders from across the country with updates on federal K-12 education policies and funding, as well as a platform to advocate for vital programs such as Title I, IDEA, and Title II.
Ebert, representing the Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators (OAESA), documented his experience over the four-day conference, sharing insights on advocacy, legislative meetings, and professional development opportunities.
Upon arriving in Washington, D.C., Ebert’s experience started with unexpected excitement as he found himself on the same flight as Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell, surrounded by Secret Service personnel. Once settled, he attended the first general assembly session where NAESP Executive Director Earl Franks provided an overview of the organization’s recent accomplishments. Candidates for NAESP Vice President also presented their platforms. That evening, Ebert joined fellow OAESA members for a walk around Washington, visiting landmarks such as the White House and discussing key advocacy goals for the days ahead.
The second day began with a NAESP Zone 3 meeting, where representatives from Ohio, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C. discussed ways to strengthen membership and support elementary school principals. The OAESA team later met to refine their advocacy strategies and share insights on professional development for Ohio school leaders. In the afternoon, leaders from NASSP joined the conference, with Scott Palmer of the Educational Council leading a session on the latest federal education policies. Although the legislative outlook was challenging, the session emphasized the importance of advocating for adequate school funding and resources.
A motivational keynote by Carlos Ojeda, Jr. set the tone for the third day, as he shared his journey overcoming language barriers and adversity in education. His message, “Don’t Fight Back—Fight Forward,” resonated with attendees as a call to action for student advocacy. The remainder of the day focused on Advocacy 101, where first-time attendees like Ebert learned best practices for engaging with legislators. The training highlighted the importance of personal storytelling to convey the impact of education policies on students and schools. Congresswoman Jahana Hayes, a former educator, concluded the day with a powerful keynote on the role of advocacy in shaping education policy. As a former National Teacher of the Year, she provided insights into effectively communicating with lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
The final day of the conference brought an exciting opportunity to meet directly with lawmakers. Ebert and the OAESA group had scheduled meetings with Senator Bernie Moreno, Congressman Max Miller (7th Congressional District), and Congressman Mike Carey (15th Congressional District). Ebert described the experience as energizing, noting that the legislators and their staff members were highly engaged and receptive to discussions on public education challenges. He emphasized that these conversations underscored the importance of advocacy, ensuring that school leaders’ voices are heard in policy decisions affecting students and educators.
Reflecting on the conference, Ebert expressed deep gratitude to OAESA for the opportunity to participate in such an influential event. “Meeting with legislators on Capitol Hill to discuss public education was an incredible opportunity. I felt that my voice mattered and that I was making a tangible difference in shaping the future of education in Ohio.” The National School Leaders Advocacy Conference provided a platform for Ebert and other school leaders to champion the needs of their students, reinforcing the importance of continuous advocacy in securing resources and support for public education.