Governor Howard Dean Talks to Alumni

Recently, former governor Howard Dean sat down with LEE to encourage LEE members to take an active role in politics and advocacy. Find out why politics “is like church” and a substitute for “armed combat,” (in a good way, we promise).

“It’s like church”: Why everyone needs to be involved in politics
Governor Dean talks about the importance of classroom experiences being represented in politics and advocacy. “Wouldn’t it be great to have people who have been in the classroom serve in elected office?”

Progress is not an Accident: Skills for effective office holders and advocates
What traits do good elected officials and advocates have? “A peculiar combination of patience when necessary and a tremendous drive not to take no for an answer under any circumstances.”

Related links: Meet the LEE members featured in this video:
• Carl Zaragoza (Phoenix ’04); Creighton Elementary School District (AZ) board member. Worked to extend school days and retain teachers.
• Courtney English (Atlanta ’07); Atlanta Board of Education. Elected in November 2009 after taking on a sitting incumbent.
• Dani Duran (Los Angeles ’04); Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council. Currently the chair of the board’s education committee.
• Caroline Sabin (Los Angeles ’90); Needham Town Meeting (MA). An elected official and a community advocate, Caroline also chairs Citizens for Needham Schools.
• Steve Zimmer (Los Angeles ’92); Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education. When campaigning, received endorsements from traditionally opposed groups.
• Michael Johnston (Delta ’97); Colorado State Senator. Formally a principal and an Obama education advisor during his presidential campaign.

How Change is Made
How can LEE members in elected office make an impact?“If someone from TFA wants to be the gifted leader and go out and lead the charge, boy do we need that. But for every person like that, we need 6 other people to support them.”

Things to Keep in Mind: George Washington, Human Nature, and Armed Combat
What should LEE members consider if they are thinking about getting involved in politics and advocacy? Why should you recruit your friends to run, too? Governor Dean reminds alumni that politics in a democracy “is a substitute for armed combat,” so we shouldn’t be surprised if things sometimes get ugly. “But that’s why they are going to get involved in it, because not everyone is like that…and the key is to get more idealistic people who will work together.”

We’ve Done it Before: Lessons from past movements
What movements from history can those in the education reform movement look to and learn from? “How can we use this group of thousands of TFA alumni to be both the pushers (advocates) as well as the people who are going to be receptive (office holders)?”

The Education of Dr. Dean
It started—of all things—with wanting to save Vermont’s waterfront. From petitions and ballot referendums, he moved to the state legislature and eventually the governor’s mansion. But, even with all his ambition, he “wouldn’t be here today without” his mentor.

So You Want to Run for Office? Advice from the Governor
“Why do you want to run? What difference do you want to make?” Start looking for the reformers and your community, and take steps now to disarm “the bad stuff.”