From classroom to Capitol
Redbird educators advocate for change
By Aubrey Henson
For the third year, teacher education majors from across the University visited the Illinois State Capitol building in Springfield to learn firsthand how their voices can shape the future of education.
Redbird Educator Advocacy Day provides Redbird Educators with a unique opportunity to engage directly with the legislative process and to learn how to become advocates for education. The College of Education collaborates with the Cecilia J. Lauby Teacher Education Center, the Efaw Center for Educator Excellence, and the Center for Civic Engagement to host this important day.
The initiative continues to grow in both participation and impact each year. Designed to connect teacher education students with civic engagement, the day emphasizes the role of educators not only as classroom leaders but as active participants in democracy.
“Every teacher plays a role in furthering democracy,” said Dr. Monica Noraian, director of the Cecilia J. Lauby Teacher Education Center and a lead organizer of the day. “Advocacy is something that has to be learned, practiced, and experienced, not just read about.”
Dr. Bryan Zugelder, dean, and Ella Pettit, president of the Education Student Leadership Advisory Board, at the Illinois State Capitol.
Learning beyond the classroom
The experience begins before students even arrive at the Illinois State Capitol. Through pre-trip programming, participants build foundational knowledge about legislation, voting, and current education-related issues. This year, Aspiring Educators, an education related student organization, and volunteers from the Center for Civic Engagement partnered to help students learn about key bills and write advocacy postcards.
Students gave those postcards to legislators during their time at the Capitol, creating a full-circle moment that connected campus conversations to real policy discussions.
Students also met directly with legislators, attended committee hearings, observed floor debates, and took a tour of the Capitol building.
Through these experiences, students gain a deeper understanding of how policies are shaped and how their voices can influence those decisions.
Advocacy in action
Throughout the day, students had opportunities to share their perspectives on issues that directly impact their future careers, including funding for higher education, teacher preparation, and policies affecting the education workforce.
Meetings with legislators were intentionally structured as conversations, allowing students to introduce themselves, discuss their experiences, and ask questions. At the same time, lawmakers gained valuable insight from those preparing to enter the profession.
“It’s important for students to realize they have an impact on what happens in government,” Noraian explained. “It’s not just about voting—it's about sharing informed perspectives and advocating for change.”
A highlight of the day is the lunch panel, which brings together legislators, candidates, and alumni working in government roles. This year’s panel included voices from across the political and professional spectrum, offering students a well-rounded view of public service and leadership.
Planting seeds for the future
While the day itself is fast-paced, its impact is long-lasting. Students leave with a clearer understanding of how policy affects their work and a stronger sense of their role as advocates. For some, the experience is so meaningful they return year after year, deepening their knowledge and engagement each time.
Redbird Educator Advocacy Day is about more than a single visit to the Capitol. It is about building habits of advocacy that future teachers will carry into their classrooms, schools, and communities.
“Advocacy plants the seeds for the future,” Noraian reflected. “When students learn how to engage now, they’re more likely to continue that work throughout their careers.”