Advocacy with Impact
At our recent Advocacy with Impact event, we celebrated the incredible things happening in our southern Missouri schools and heard directly from students across districts as they shared their real-world learning experiences.
We also engaged with a panel of policymakers—Republican state Sen. Lincoln Hough, Democratic state Rep. Betsy Fogle, and Missouri Board of Education President Mary Schrag—who offered valuable insights into Missouri’s political landscape and how we can make our advocacy more effective.
They encouraged educators and community members alike to champion public education through these meaningful actions:
Identify your state representative and senator and engage with them regularly.
Communicate in person whenever possible. Conversations that happen in your community often carry more weight than those in Jefferson City.
A phone call is more effective than an email—and an email is better than silence.
Avoid using generic templates. Share authentic, personal stories that reflect your community’s experiences.
Proactively highlight the great things happening in your district. Share success stories and data that legislators can use to represent your community’s achievements.
Don’t only focus on what you oppose—speak up about what you support.
When expressing concerns about legislation, explain clearly how it impacts your district, using specific examples.
Invite legislators to visit your schools and experience your programs firsthand.
Vote in every election.
Support candidates who value public education, who listen to their local schools, and who are willing to engage in meaningful dialogue.
Read more about our event in this Springfield Newsleader article, and access the video recording from our Advocacy with Impact page or from the course in our On-Demand Catalog.
Take the Next Step: Become a GOKey Communicator
Advocacy doesn’t stop with one event—it grows through connection, collaboration, and consistent action.
GOCSD supports our members and communities through the free GOKey Communicators program, which unites people who care deeply about public education and want to make a tangible difference. GOKey Communicators include parents, community members, retired educators, current educators, and preservice teachers across the region—all working together to elevate the voice of public education.
Now is the time to identify and invite individuals in your community who can join this movement. Registration is open for our virtual onboarding session on November 11th, where participants will:
Gain a clear understanding of the GOKey Communicators program
Learn strategies for building relationships with legislators
Receive updates on key legislative issues affecting education in our state
Practice effective communication techniques for advocacy
Be invited to ongoing virtual check-ins beginning in January
Visit our GOKey Communicators page for details and registration information.
If we don’t tell the story of public education, someone else will. Advocacy is not the job of one—it belongs to all of us.
Let’s own the narrative. Let’s speak up for what’s possible.