You’re invited: Hear local educators share their stories they want lawmakers to know

A man wearing a baseball cap and a blue sweater stands in the middle of a large room with three people sitting toward the back wall.
Andrew Pillow shares a story during a previous story slam presented by Teachers Lounge Indy in collaboration with Chalkbeat Indiana and Indy Kids Winning. (Elaine Cromie/Chalkbeat)

Sign up for Chalkbeat Indiana’s free daily newsletter to keep up with Indianapolis Public Schools, Marion County’s township districts, and statewide education news.

What do teachers wish Indiana’s lawmakers knew about daily life in schools? We’re asking educators to share stories and experiences from the classroom that they want state lawmakers to know as they craft rules about schools at the Statehouse.

Join us for “Letters to Lawmakers,” a teacher story slam from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 25, at Guggman Haus Brewing Co., 1701 Gent Ave. in Indianapolis. The event is hosted by Chalkbeat Indiana, Indy Kids Winning, and Teachers Lounge Indy, and is a continuation of previous story slams. It’s a place for educators to share stories, spend time together, and learn from each other too. The community is also invited to hear their stories.

The event is free, but RSVP is encouraged. Food and drink will be available for purchase.

To RSVP, get your free ticket here.

And if you are an educator and are interested in telling your story, please fill out this form by Tuesday, Feb. 18.

promo image
(Isaiah Spears)

Update, Feb. 4: This story was updated to extend the deadline for educators to sign up to be storytellers.

MJ Slaby oversees Chalkbeat Indiana’s coverage as bureau chief. Contact MJ at mslaby@chalkbeat.org.


The Latest

A new study finds that gender gaps that had closed before COVID widened again after students returned to in-person learning.

District 49 filed the lawsuit a day after passing a policy barring transgender youth from school sports teams that match their gender identity.

City Council President Kenyatta Johnson said those working in child care provide ‘the most essential service’ in Philadelphia.

The longtime UFT president’s role in approving the loathed Medicare Advantage cost-savings switch of retiree health insurance has rival candidates gunning to dislodge him.

I can’t help but wonder what my life might have been like if I’d had access to these tools earlier on.

Chicago Public Schools put out to bid 20 properties, most of them closed schools from 2013. The journey to repurpose the old schools could be long and winding.