# data[].attributes.body
Special education teachers face higher workloads without fair compensation. Retaining qualified educators requires competitive pay.

https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/blog/teacher-salaries-key-factor-recruitment-and-retention

# data[].attributes.headline
Issue 2: Support for Inclusion and Classroom Resources

# data[].attributes.subject
Issue 2: Support for Inclusion and Classroom Resources

# data[].attributes.body
Inclusive classrooms need assistive tech, adapted materials, and para support. Advocacy ensures teachers have tools for success.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8461235/

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Dilemma of Inclusive Education: Inclusion for Some or Inclusion for All

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
In this paper, we intend to consider different understandings of inclusive education that frame current public and professional debates as well as policies and practices. We analyze two – somewhat opposing – discourses regarding inclusive education,…

# data[].attributes.headline
Issue 3: Teacher Mental Health and Burnout

# data[].attributes.subject
Issue 3: Teacher Mental Health and Burnout

# data[].attributes.body
Special educators have some of the highest stress levels due to caseloads and paperwork. Advocacy means ensuring manageable workloads and mental health supports.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9518388/

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Stress, Burnout, Anxiety and Depression among Teachers: A Scoping Review

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Background: Worldwide, stress and burnout continue to be a problem among teachers, leading to anxiety and depression. Burnout may adversely affect teachers’ health and is a risk factor for poor physical and mental well-being. Determining the…

# data[].attributes.headline
Issue 4: Elevating Teacher Voice in Policy and IEP Decisions

# data[].attributes.subject
Issue 4: Elevating Teacher Voice in Policy and IEP Decisions

# data[].attributes.body
Teachers are often left out of key decisions. Advocacy ensures teacher input in IEP planning and education policy.

https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1370360.pdf

# data[].attributes.headline
Issue 5: Equity in Access for Students with Disabilities

# data[].attributes.subject
Issue 5: Equity in Access for Students with Disabilities

# data[].attributes.body
Advocacy is needed to guarantee equitable resources, smaller classes, and fair opportunities for all students.

https://www.lausd.org/cms/lib/CA01000043/Centricity/domain/635/100report/ACT23IncreasedInclusionforSWD1PAGEREquity_AccessSTAFFDOC.pdf

# data[].attributes.headline
Special Education During COVID-19: Teacher Voices

# data[].attributes.subject
Special Education During COVID-19: Teacher Voices

# data[].attributes.body
Reading teacher stories about delivering lessons to homes, adapting lessons for accessibility, and supporting families moved me deeply. It reminded me why advocacy matters—because students with disabilities and their teachers deserve more.

https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5553&context=tqr

# data[].attributes.body
Prompt for Peers:

Which of these issues speaks most to you as an advocate?

What would you add to this list?

How have you experienced advocacy (or lack of it) in your teaching role?

# data[].attributes.headline
What is the biggest issue we should be advocating for in regards to student learning and/or the education profession?

# data[].attributes.subject
What is the biggest issue we should be advocating for in regards to student learning and/or the education profession?

# data[].attributes.body
Parent of 7th grader: “Class sizes are too big. My child isn’t getting enough individual support.”

# data[].attributes.headline
What is the biggest issue we should be advocating for in regards to student learning and/or the education profession?

# data[].attributes.subject
What is the biggest issue we should be advocating for in regards to student learning and/or the education profession?

# data[].attributes.body
Parent of 8th grader: “Schools need more special education staff — one teacher can’t meet all needs.”

# data[].attributes.headline
What is the biggest issue we should be advocating for in regards to student learning and/or the education profession?

# data[].attributes.subject
What is the biggest issue we should be advocating for in regards to student learning and/or the education profession?

# data[].attributes.body
Parent of 9th grader: “Mental health support for students is critical.”

# data[].attributes.headline
What is the biggest issue we should be advocating for in regards to student learning and/or the education profession?

# data[].attributes.subject
What is the biggest issue we should be advocating for in regards to student learning and/or the education profession?

# data[].attributes.body
Parent of 8th grader: “Teachers need higher pay so we stop losing the good ones.”

# data[].attributes.headline
What is the biggest issue we should be advocating for in regards to student learning and/or the education profession?

# data[].attributes.subject
What is the biggest issue we should be advocating for in regards to student learning and/or the education profession?

# data[].attributes.body
Parent of 7th grader: “There aren’t enough resources for kids who learn differently.”

# data[].attributes.headline
What is the biggest issue we should be advocating for in regards to student learning and/or the education profession?

# data[].attributes.subject
What is the biggest issue we should be advocating for in regards to student learning and/or the education profession?

# data[].attributes.body
6th Grade Teacher: “We need smaller class sizes so instruction is more effective.”

# data[].attributes.headline
What is the biggest issue we should be advocating for in regards to student learning and/or the education profession?

# data[].attributes.subject
What is the biggest issue we should be advocating for in regards to student learning and/or the education profession?

# data[].attributes.body
Special Education Teacher (middle): “My caseload is overwhelming. I need time for paperwork and instruction.”

# data[].attributes.headline
What is the biggest issue we should be advocating for in regards to student learning and/or the education profession?

# data[].attributes.subject
What is the biggest issue we should be advocating for in regards to student learning and/or the education profession?

# data[].attributes.body
Special Education Teacher (High School): “Mental health support for both teachers and students is missing.”

# data[].attributes.headline
What is the biggest issue we should be advocating for in regards to student learning and/or the education profession?

# data[].attributes.subject
What is the biggest issue we should be advocating for in regards to student learning and/or the education profession?

# data[].attributes.body
8th Grade Math Teacher: “Retention of teachers is the biggest issue. Colleagues leave constantly.

# data[].attributes.headline
What is the biggest issue we should be advocating for in regards to student learning and/or the education profession?

# data[].attributes.subject
What is the biggest issue we should be advocating for in regards to student learning and/or the education profession?

# data[].attributes.body
Special Education Teacher (7th Grade Resource) : “Professional development is key — we’re asked to do new things without training.”

# data[].attributes.headline
What is the biggest issue we should be advocating for in regards to student learning and/or the education profession?

# data[].attributes.subject
What is the biggest issue we should be advocating for in regards to student learning and/or the education profession?

# data[].attributes.body
Principal (Middle): “Funding is our biggest problem. We need more staff, resources, and support services.”

# data[].attributes.headline
What is the biggest issue we should be advocating for in regards to student learning and/or the education profession?

# data[].attributes.subject
What is the biggest issue we should be advocating for in regards to student learning and/or the education profession?

# data[].attributes.body
School Counselor (Middle): “Students’ mental health needs are rising — we don’t have enough counselors.”

# data[].attributes.headline
What is the biggest issue we should be advocating for in regards to student learning and/or the education profession?

# data[].attributes.subject
What is the biggest issue we should be advocating for in regards to student learning and/or the education profession?

# data[].attributes.body
Curriculum Coach/Coordinator (Instructional Coach): “Literacy gaps are widening — we need to advocate for early intervention programs.”

# data[].attributes.headline
What is the biggest issue we should be advocating for in regards to student learning and/or the education profession?

# data[].attributes.subject
What is the biggest issue we should be advocating for in regards to student learning and/or the education profession?

# data[].attributes.body
Assistant Principal (Middle School): “Teacher recruitment and retention is the number one issue.”

# data[].attributes.headline
What is the biggest issue we should be advocating for in regards to student learning and/or the education profession?

# data[].attributes.subject
What is the biggest issue we should be advocating for in regards to student learning and/or the education profession?

# data[].attributes.body
Assistant Principal (High School): “We need to keep programs like PE and the arts funded. They matter for the whole child.”

# data[].attributes.headline
A Systematic Review of Early-Career Teacher Wellbeing, Stress, Burnout and Support Mechanisms During and Post COVID-19 Pandemic

# data[].attributes.subject
A Systematic Review of Early-Career Teacher Wellbeing, Stress, Burnout and Support Mechanisms During and Post COVID-19 Pandemic

# data[].attributes.body
Davis, Trent, and Eunjae Park. “A Systematic Review of Early-Career Teacher Wellbeing, Stress, Burnout and Support Mechanisms During and Post COVID-19 Pandemic.” Education sciences 15.8 (2025): 996. Web.

https://saalck-murraystate.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01SAA_MSU/l7erh9/cdi_doaj_primary_oai_doaj_org_article_8ac978af6e0f4aba9dd27c2d4b73a111

According to the article Teacher burnout was a well documents concern that was present well before covid, but covid has made burnout and teachers well being worse than before. This issues seems to be getting worse instead of better. More and more teachers are leaving the profession every year, and not enough teachers are coming in to combat the teachers who are leaving.

# data[].attributes.headline
A systematic review of primary school teachers’ wellbeing: room for a holistic approach

# data[].attributes.subject
A systematic review of primary school teachers’ wellbeing: room for a holistic approach

# data[].attributes.body
Ozturk, Mumine, Michael Wigelsworth, and Garry Squires. “A Systematic Review of Primary School Teachers’ Wellbeing: Room for a Holistic Approach.” Frontiers in psychology 15 (2024): 1358424. Web.

According to the article, Over 50% of teacher that enter the profession feel as if their wellbeing does not matter or that it is not taken into consideration. This makes teachers feel undervalued within the profession that they are desperately needed in.

# data[].attributes.headline
Advocacy Planning - Teacher Mental Health and Burnout

# data[].attributes.subject
Advocacy Planning - Teacher Mental Health and Burnout

# data[].attributes.body
Role: 8th Grade Special Education Teacher, Alaska
Advocacy Issue: Teacher Mental Health & Burnout

Step 1: Know the Issue

Issue: Teacher mental health and burnout is a growing crisis, especially in Alaska where rural schools face high teacher turnover, isolation, and limited access to mental health resources.

Why it matters: Teacher well-being directly impacts student learning, classroom management, and retention of quality educators.

Domain 7a: I will share state and national research (e.g., APA studies, Alaska teacher retention reports) with colleagues to show how burnout is linked to declining student achievement and high turnover rates.

Step 2: Know Your District

District context: Many Alaska schools are Title I, with limited resources and significant teacher shortages. Harsh climate and rural isolation add unique stressors.

District impact: Lack of substitute teachers, heavy caseloads in special education, and minimal mental health services for staff amplify burnout.

Domain 7c: I will collaborate with colleagues to advocate for counseling supports, wellness programs, and structured planning time that respond to these district-specific needs.

Step 3: Know Where You Stand

My stance: I believe that prioritizing teacher mental health is critical for sustainable education. Healthy teachers = healthy classrooms.

Why I care: As a special education teacher, I see burnout firsthand—teachers overwhelmed by paperwork, IEP meetings, and emotional labor.

Building support: I will communicate with both internal (colleagues, admin) and external (parents, community) audiences to create momentum.

Domain 7e: I represent the profession by speaking to school boards, community groups, and state-level organizations about the realities of burnout.

Step 4: Know the Decision Makers

Local: School principal, district superintendent, and local school board.

State: Alaska Department of Education & Early Development, Alaska State Legislature’s Education Committee.

National: NEA, U.S. Department of Education (teacher wellness initiatives).

Domain 7b: Collaborating with colleagues to identify data and research that can be presented to these decision makers.

Step 5: Know How to Contact Decision Makers

Attend school board meetings (local).

Schedule appointments with district leaders.

Write letters/emails to state legislators.

Use NEA/AEA (Alaska Education Association) advocacy networks to amplify voice.

Domain 7c: Advocate effectively through multiple communication channels (presentations, town halls, parent newsletters).

Step 6: Know the Calendar for Decision Making

Local: District budget planning sessions (spring).

State: Alaska legislative session (January–May).

National: Federal funding cycles (ED grants, fiscal year starts October 1).

Domain 7d: Advocate for financial support (mental health funding, wellness stipends, PD days focused on teacher well-being).

Step 7: Know How to State Your Case

Use data: teacher turnover rates in Alaska, national burnout statistics, research on teacher well-being’s impact on student learning.

Share stories: personal testimonies from special education teachers struggling with workload and burnout.

Present solutions: wellness coordinators, dedicated PD on self-care, district partnerships with local mental health providers.

Domain 7b & 7d: Use research and advocate for resources that support sustainable professional practice.

Step 8: Know How to Reach the Public

Partner with parents: show how teacher burnout affects student outcomes.

Social media campaigns through teacher organizations.

Local news stories highlighting the teacher shortage crisis.

Community forums to raise awareness.

Domain 7c: Communicate with targeted audiences (parents, community, colleagues) to secure support.

Step 9: Know Your Role in the Electoral Process

Stay informed on which candidates support education and teacher wellness initiatives.

Participate in AEA voter guides and candidate forums.

Encourage colleagues to vote and use their voices collectively.

Domain 7e: Represent the profession by engaging in civic processes beyond the classroom.