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We would be thrilled if you could contribute to our campaign by sharing your story on your own social media channels and tagging #TheAnswerIsTeaching and #MyWhy.

Your personal experience will play a key role in inspiring and attracting new educators to our state, helping to address critical teaching needs. You can share your story in a video or in a written post. If you choose to write your story in a post, we would love it if you could share one of the graphics from this toolkit or your own photos to help increase engagement.

Question prompts to help guide your post or video:

• Why did you decide to become a teacher?
• What are the rewards of the subjects/grades you teach?
• What incentives or benefits supported you in your journey to becoming a teacher (such as loan forgiveness, scholarships, residency programs, etc.)?
• What is your favorite part of being a teacher?
• Why should other people consider becoming a teacher?
  

Across the state, there is a shortage of special education teachers, so ISBE is especially calling on current special education teachers to tell others about your journey!

Here are a few questions to think about when reviewing the content ideas and prompts below:

• Why did you become a special education teacher?
  
• Why is being a special education teacher important to you?
  
• What are the rewards of teaching special education?
  
• What would you say to encourage others to become a special education teacher?
  
• How has working in this profession, specifically with students with disabilities, been life-changing for you?​

Across the state, there is a shortage of bilingual teachers, so ISBE is especially calling on current bilingual education teachers to tell others about your journey!

Here are a few additional questions to think about when reviewing the content ideas and prompts below:

• Why did you become a bilingual teacher?
• Why is being a bilingual teacher important to you?
• What are the rewards of teaching bilingual education?
• What you are the benefits of multilingualism for your students?
• How has working in this profession, specifically with bilingual students, been life-changing for you?
  

Original content is a great way to gain traction with your network! Here are some prompts and content ideas you can share to engage those interested in pursuing a career in teaching:

• Your classroom setup and/or your favorite item in your room
• A back-to-school selfie
• Who or what was most helpful to you in your first year of teaching
• Helpful tips for crafting lesson plans and curriculum
• A few activities you’ve done with students
• Your work bestie or favorite colleague in your building
• What you’re most proud of about your school and community
  
• The last “aha” moment you witnessed from a student​
  

If you decide to create a post uses any of these ideas, please include our hashtags #TheAnswerIsTeaching #MyWhy and the website BecomeATeacher.com. We can’t wait to see what you create!

If you’d prefer to use a draft post to help you get started, please feel free to copy and paste the language below to your own social media channels and customize it to fit your voice. This copy can be paired with the graphics in the toolkit.

• Post 1: Illinois needs teachers more than ever. I became a teacher because [insert 1-2 sentence story]. Join me! Strengthen your community by joining the profession. Visit BecomeATeacher.com to start your journey. #TheAnswerIsTeaching #MyWhy
• Post 2: If you’re thinking about a career in education, let my story motivate you to take the leap! [Insert 1-2 sentence story.] As a teacher in Illinois, you will transform many lives – starting with your own. Visit BecomeATeacher.com to get started. #TheAnswerIsTeaching #MyWhy
• Post 3: Are you looking for a great job, where you can get great benefits while giving back to your community? I was, too, which is why I became a special education teacher. [Insert 1-2 sentence story.] Become a special education teacher today. Visit BecomeATeacher.com to learn more. #TheAnswerIsTeaching #MyWhy
• Post 4: Becoming a teacher made a world of difference in my career, and every day I get to make a difference in my students’ lives. [Insert 1-2 sentence story.] Your future in teaching could start today! Visit BecomeATeacher.com for more information. #TheAnswerIsTeaching #MyWhy
• Post 5: Teaching gives you the opportunity to make an impact in your hometown/community. [Insert 1-2 sentence story on teaching where you grew up.] Visit BecomeATeacher.com to learn how you can have a rewarding career and give back to your community. #TheAnswerIsTeaching #MyWhy
• Post 6: Teaching is not just a job; it’s a calling. If you speak multiple languages, you have a superpower. Use your superpower to help students by becoming a bilingual teacher! [Insert 1-2 sentence story on why you became a bilingual teacher.] Learn more at BecomeATeacher.com. #TheAnswerIsTeaching. #MyWhy
  

• Post 1: Teaching is a calling. Become a bilingual teacher.
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• Post 2: Get great benefits while benefiting your community.
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• Post 3: Make a life change. Teach in Illinois.
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• Post 4: ¿Hablas español? Let's talk about teaching in it, too.
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• Post 5: When your students succeed, they aren't the only ones who get rewarded. Become a special education teacher.
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• Post 6: Shape young lives while reshaping your career.
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• Publicación 1: Ser maestro es un don. Sé maestro de educatión bilingüe.
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• Publicación 2: Obtén excelentes beneficios mientras ayudas a tu comunidad.
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• Publicación 3: Haz un cambio de vida. Enseña en Illinois.
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• Publicación 4: ¿Hablas español? Let's talk about teaching in it, too.
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• Publicación 5: Cuando tus estudiantes tienen éxito, tú también ganas. Sé maestro de educatión especial.
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• Publicación 6: Transforma las vidas de la juventud mientras transformas tu carrera profesional.
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Feeling stuck? Below are the benefits of becoming a teacher that you can also share in a social media post!

• WAGES: Illinois schools offer some of the most competitive pay in the country, with teacher salaries that rank #1 in the Midwest. Teachers in Illinois are paid 18% more than those in other states across the region.
• BENEFITS: Illinois schools offer a variety of great benefits, including healthcare and retirement plans.
• INCENTIVES: Illinois offers incentives like loan forgiveness and scholarships for eligible candidates. Many Illinois school districts offer additional benefits like tuition assistance, signing bonuses, and paid residency programs.
• SUPPORT: Aspiring teachers can find financial and mentoring support through different programs offered throughout the state. These programs are listed on the Directory Approved Programs found at: www.isbe.net/doap.
• PROTECTIONS: Illinois teachers have the opportunity to join a union for collective bargaining protections to ensure they have the best possible contract and classroom supports needed to support.
• STUDENTS: Teaching in Illinois offers you the chance to build meaningful relationships with students, fostering their growth and development in an environment that enriches both their lives and yours.
• COMMUNITY: Teaching in Illinois offers the chance to join a strong, supportive community that values collaboration and a shared commitment to educational excellence and innovation.
• OPPORTUNITY: Illinois is facing a teacher shortage, especially in rural and urban public schools and in bilingual and special education, which means more opportunities for anyone considering getting into the profession.
• FLEXIBILTY: Teaching has a lot to offer young adults who are starting their careers and professionals who are thinking of changing careers.
• FREEDOM: Unlike states like Indiana, teachers in Illinois don’t have to worry about curriculum restrictions or book bans that prevent them from doing their jobs.