Springfield Advocacy Day
Student reflections on the experience:
“Advocacy Day at Springfield was an important learning experience that will directly affect my role as a school counselor. I am very grateful for having had the opportunity to learn about the advocacy process at this level. Witnessing my classmates and more experienced folks prepare and deliver talking points was genuinely inspiring. Aside from being able to talk directly to people who can help us accomplish our goals, it was very nice to connect with my classmates and others in various education-related positions. Our work is diverse in many ways, but it is clear that we all want what is best for our students. Thank you, NEIU, ISCA, and IACAC, for making this day happen for us!”
“Advocacy day gave me a great opportunity to see what advocacy looks like in action. I enjoyed learning about how professional organizations such as ISCA and IACAC develop their legislative priorities. The day also inspired me to reflect on the issues in school counseling that matter most to me and got me excited to spend my career speaking up about these. Most of all, it was just a lot of fun to spend time with classmates and faculty and build connections that will last beyond just today.”
“Thank you so much for the opportunity to attend my very first advocacy day (and very first time in Springfield!). Spending the day learning about how ISCA and IACAC advocate for legislation that benefits our profession and more importantly, the students, was such a rewarding experience. My favorite part of the day was being able to talk about these legislative priorities with Rep. Kelly, and sharing my knowledge and experiences as an intern with him. I had a wonderful day with my classmates and professor, and it was so great to meet everyone!”
“It was the first time I attended an advocacy day. I’m thankful that I got the opportunity to attend IACAC and ISCA’s Advocacy Day in Springfield. It gave more insight into all of the work that goes into advocating with legislators. I really enjoyed how I got to talk to some of the representatives about our causes. The representatives that I got to meet with, Representative Mah and Representative Guerrero-Cueller were familiar with and understand the importance of some of our initiatives. It was a great first experience that allows me to reflect on the needs of school counselors and what I can do in the future to help address those issues.”
“I would like to thank Dr. Gil, NEIU, IACAC and ISCA for the opportunity to participate in Advocacy Day in Springfield. It was a great way to learn more about our future profession and some roadblock/goals that need to be addressed. This has been a very unique experience with how uninformed some government officials are on the needs for school counselors and students. I was surprised by how willing these government officials were to agree and lend their support. My favorite part of the day was getting insight and different perspectives on school counseling and experiences from the members of IACAC and fellow classmates.”
“I came to advocacy day not really knowing much of how the process worked. However, I have worked with students who have been impacted by the works of advocates in increasing map grant or the rise act. I didn’t expect to see how much impact we can truly make. My favorite part of this experience was actually meeting representatives and realizing that they are like any of us and open to listen and learn about our needs. I would like to thank Dr. Gil, NEIU, ISCA and IACAC for truly allowing us to be part of this learning experience.”
“The opportunity to attend school counselor advocacy day in Springfield provided an empowering and educational introduction to how school counselors can advocate for their students on a state level. Seeing school counselor issues reach the desks and hands of our lawmakers first-hand was truly inspiring. Being able to do this with classmates made it feel even more special. I am super grateful to the NEIU counselor Ed program, Dr. Gil, IACAC, and ISCA for the invitation and support to be able to attend!”
“Participating in Advocacy Day provided me an opportunity to see what it would look like first hand to advocate for my students. I found great joy in witnessing my classmates and current school counselors speak to legislators and state representatives regarding issues that affect not just us, but our students as well. Advocacy Day made me feel proud to be a future school counselor! Thank you Dr. Gil, NEIU, IACAC and ISCA for the opportunity to be a part of this event!”
If you have questions about this event, contact the Government Relations Committee co-chairs.