1. Welcome, Framing, and Purpose (5 minutes)
* Content:
• Brief introduction to EdSurge and the Voices of Change Fellows program
• Framing the session around educator voice, public storytelling, and impact
* Engagement & Process:
• Quick opening prompt (show of hands or verbal poll): “Who here has ever thought about writing publicly but didn’t know where to start?”
• Set expectations for active participation and low-stakes writing
2. Fellows Gallery Walk: Stories in Practice (15 minutes)
* Content:
• Curated gallery featuring excerpts, visuals, and impact highlights from current and former EdSurge Fellows
• Emphasis on diversity of perspectives, contexts, and topics
* Engagement & Process:
• Participants move through the gallery individually or in pairs
• Reflection prompts posted throughout the space (e.g., “What stands out?” “What feels familiar?” “What questions do these stories raise?”)
• Optional device-based interaction via QR codes linking to full stories or audio excerpts
3. Deconstructing the Writing Process (10 minutes)
* Content:
• Facilitated discussion on how Fellows’ ideas moved from classroom insight to published story
• Overview of the editorial process, including pitching, drafting, revision, and collaboration with editors
* Engagement & Process:
• Whole-group discussion using guiding questions
• Audience invited to identify common themes, structures, or techniques across stories
• Presenter models how an initial idea evolves into a public-facing piece
4. Writing Live: Guided Writing Sprint (20 minutes)
* Content:
• Participants engage in short, structured writing activities designed to surface story ideas
• Prompts focus on lived experience, moments of tension, and insights from practice
* Engagement & Process:
• Timed writing sprints (5–7 minutes each)
• Peer-to-peer sharing in pairs or small groups for optional feedback
• Facilitator circulates to support participants and model editorial coaching techniques
5. Reflection, Takeaways, and Next Steps (10 minutes)
* Content:
• Group reflection on the writing experience
• Clear explanation of pathways for publishing, pitching, and collaborating with EdSurge
* Engagement & Process:
• Volunteers share excerpts or insights
• Closing reflection prompt: “What story feels most urgent for you to tell?”
• Optional sign-up or resource handout for continued engagement with EdSurge
* Audience Engagement Summary:
• Movement-based gallery walk
• Peer-to-peer discussion and feedback
• Timed writing activities
• Optional device-based exploration
• Frequent reflection prompts every 5–10 minutes
After this session, participants will be able to:
Analyze how educator stories are shaped for public audiences through the editorial process.
Identify strategies for transforming classroom experiences and professional insights into compelling, evidence-informed narratives.
Draft a short piece of public-facing writing using guided prompts and peer feedback.
Apply practical techniques for pitching, revising, and collaborating with editors to reach broader audiences.
Evaluate how sharing educator perspectives publicly can influence dialogue, practice, and policy in education.
1. EdSurge Voices of Change Fellowship hub of past stories: https://www.edsurge.com/research/guides/edsurge-voices-of-change-writing-fellowship.
2. University writing center resources for helping educators and academics turn their expertise into public storytelling: https://hpg.unc.edu/resources-2/so-you-wanna-do-public-writing/.
3. Resources from the Op-Ed Project: https://www.theopedproject.org/resources.
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