Leaders need to hear from students and families directly, and your experiences are powerful in making a difference. When telling your story, think about:
- Keep it personal — stories stick.
- Be respectful — every conversation builds civic trust.
- What office are they running for – what can they do?
This 5-step guide can help you get started with how to frame your personal lived experience into a powerful tool for advocacy and change.
1. Start with your story
Open with who you are. (i.e. parent, student, educator, service provider, etc.)
2. Focus on what matters most
Think of what issues most affect your community. What brought you here today? (i.e., Fair and stable school funding, Teacher pay, retention, and support, Student well-being and mental health, Equity across neighborhoods and schools)
3. Turn concerns into questions
Ask open-ended questions that invite dialogue. (How would you make sure all schools—north and south—get the resources they need? What steps would you take to support students’ mental health?)
4. Listen and go deeper
If a candidate’s answer sounds broad, ask for examples or timelines. (Can you share how that would be funded? How are you planning to engage the community?)
5. End with community impact
Bring it back to how the community could be positively impacted.
This guide was originally developed in partnership with the Washington Youth Alliance for the 2025 Seattle Education Forum.