Advance Illinois, an statewide advocacy group, formed the Educator Advisory Council (EAC) composed of educators from across the state.
This past December, Advance Illinois welcomed the 2023-2025 EAC cohort, bringing together educators who span from early childhood to post-secondary, represent the rich diversity of the state, and collectively have over 300 years of experience leading both inside and outside the classroom.
The EAC informs our policy recommendations by ensuring they are grounded in best practices. The EAC is one of the groups we rely on to help inform our perspective, push our thinking, and ensure that solutions to some of the most challenging and complex education issues are informed by one of the groups most impacted by these policies and decisions: educators. During their time with the council, members take a deep dive into our policy priorities, learn how to use their voice as advocates, develop a shared understanding of structural racism and how it shows up in the education system challenges we see today, and are afforded various leadership opportunities. We are fortunate to have a group of dedicated, experienced, and diverse educators join us and we look forward to their collective impact.
Pictured is our very own Ms. Cassandra Hays, High School Social Studies Teacher.