The Critical Importance of Teacher Advocacy Empowered Educators on the Front Lines

Melissa Tomlinson is a veteran special education teacher with 24 years of experience and a passionate advocate for public education. Her activism began in 2014 when she joined the Badass Teachers Association (BATs), a national grassroots network of educators fighting for equity, justice, and fully funded public schools. She now serves as Executive Director, leading national efforts to uplift educator voices and champion student-centered policies. In New Jersey, Melissa is an active leader in the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA). She has served on various county and state committees and currently represents her county on the NJEA State Executive Committee. Her union work emphasizes transparency, equity, and democratic engagement. She is also a co-founder of NJ21United, a progressive NJEA caucus working to strengthen union democracy and defend public education. Through NJ21United, she's been deeply involved in the Divest NJ Campaign, pushing for state pension divestment from fossil fuels and reinvestment in sustainable futures. Beyond education and union activism, Melissa supports broader justice movements. She helped found both National Educators United and Educators 4 Palestine, connecting educators nationwide in the fight against oppression and for human rights. In 2023, Melissa co-founded the Atlantic County Queer Alliance, a nonprofit supporting LGBTQIA individuals and organizations across South Jersey. As Deputy Director, she helps create inclusive spaces and build lasting community connections. Her work has earned multiple honors, including the Becca Ritchie Badass Activist Tribute, the Fierce Ally Award from Pride in May's Landing, and NJEA's 2024 Equity Champion Award. Rooted in compassion and driven by justice, Melissa continues to fight for schools and communities where everyone is valued and empowered.

Brianne Kramer, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Education in the College of Education and Human Development at Southern Utah University where she teaches Social Foundations of Education courses. Additionally, she coordinates the Educational Foundations and Policy major for the Master's of Education and Master's of Interdisciplinary Studies programs. She earned a Ph.D. in Social Foundations of Education from the University of Toledo, and her research focuses on teacher workforce issues, diversity, equity, and inclusion, educational policy, and teacher activism. She co-edited the 2022 book Children and Trauma: Critical Perspectives for Meeting the Needs of Diverse Educational Communities. She also currently serves on the ACLU Utah Board of Directors and is a Contributing Scholar for the Policy Research-to-Policy Collaboration housed at Pennsylvania State University.