Engaging Teachers in Leadership Roles: Overcoming Barriers

This week, as I reviewed our association roster, I noticed that three of our eleven buildings didn’t have a representative listed. That might not sound like a huge gap at first, but to me it felt significant. Building reps are the heartbeat of our association. They are the ones who keep lines of communication open, who bring forward concerns, and who remind members that their voices matter. Without them, teachers can feel disconnected, and the work of advocacy becomes harder to sustain.

So, I did what I always do when there’s a gap: I reached out. I sent messages to members in those buildings, offering the position and encouraging someone to step forward. We’ve tried to make the role as accessible as possible. Some of our meetings are held virtually so people can join from home. For in-person gatherings, we meet at a local restaurant and cover the meal. And to recognize the commitment, our local even provides a small stipend for reps. Still, as of today, I’ve heard nothing back.

That silence has stayed with me. It made me ask: Why is it so much harder now to get teachers to step into association leadership?

Part of the answer is obvious: workload. Teachers are carrying more than ever before. From endless data collection and changing instructional mandates to the invisible emotional labor of supporting students and families, the idea of taking on “one more thing” can feel impossible. Even when the “one more thing” is the very thing that might ease their load, being part of a collective voice, it can feel overwhelming in the moment.

Another factor is burnout. When teachers are exhausted, their instinct is often to retreat, rather than step up. Self-preservation is real, and sometimes saying “no” to leadership is the only way a teacher can keep breathing space in their lives.

I also think there’s a cultural shift happening. Some newer teachers haven’t grown up seeing unions or associations as a natural part of professional life. They may not yet understand the role that collective advocacy plays, or they may feel uncertain about whether speaking up will make a difference. In some districts, there’s even fear. Fear that being visible as a leader could put a target on your back in environments that don’t always welcome teacher voice.

Time is another real barrier. Many educators are also parents, caregivers, or students themselves, balancing graduate courses or second jobs. Asking them to add meetings, even with meals and stipends, can feel like too much.

So where does that leave us as leaders? For me, it reinforces what I’ve always believed: leadership isn’t about pushing people into roles. It’s about meeting people where they are and creating space for small beginnings. The phrase that’s been my mantra lately—poco a poco, little by little—applies here. Not everyone can jump in as a building rep. But maybe they can attend one meeting. Maybe they can shadow someone. Maybe they can take on one small task that helps them see themselves as part of the association’s story.

I’ve also learned that personal invitation matters. A general email rarely sparks action. But a conversation where I can say, “I see your leadership in the way you support your colleagues” or “You’d be a great voice for your building”, can make someone stop and think differently about themselves. Teachers are leaders every day in their classrooms; sometimes they just need someone to name that truth and connect it to the association.

It is harder now to get people involved, yes. But harder doesn’t mean impossible. It means we as leaders have to be more intentional, more patient, and more creative. And it means we must keep reminding our colleagues that association work isn’t an “extra.” It’s the foundation that allows us to protect our profession, advocate for students, and ensure teachers have a voice in decisions that affect us all.

So I’ll keep reaching out. I’ll keep inviting. And I’ll keep trusting that poco a poco, little by little, others will step forward. Because while one leader can carry the torch for a while, it takes all of us, our collective strength, our collective voice, to light the way ahead.