School lunch rules, funding for special education, the Local Control Funding Formula, Every Student Succeeds Act, school discipline, the California School Dashboard … all of these are education policy issues that impact every school leader every day. They shape the decisions educators make, the strategies they must implement and the laws they must follow.  I have often told ACSA members that legislative decisions are made with, or without, the input of the people most affected. As school leaders, your voices are incredibly powerful. However, that power is only effective if used in strategic and consistent ways.  That’s where you come in. ACSA needs you and our students need you to leverage your expertise and experience, to raise your voices to shape the laws and policies that impact student learning and education experiences. You can do this in several ways, but right now, we need you at the federal level. We ask that you, or a representative of your region, attend IgnitED, the upcoming ACSA/NASS federal advocacy conference in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 15-17. We will pursue policies to increase funding for special education, support our LGBTQ youth and staff through the Equality Act, increase opportunities for girls of color to have access to afterschool STEM activities, and fight for increased resources in the federal budget.   Those shaping education policy generally do not hail from the classroom. They may have expertise in politics or education research or have worked in the legislative realm long enough to see how laws impact public education. But these policymakers do not have the knowledge that can only be found by working directly with students. Therefore, they rely on the expertise of ACSA members and others in the field to make sound policy decisions.  Prior to the IgnitED event, even if you do not attend, we ask that you find out who your Congressional representative is and let them know you or a member of your region will be on Capitol Hill to meet with them in September. Hopefully, this is not the first time you have contacted them.  Prior to the meeting, we ask that you take the lessons you have learned from past Legislative Action Days and apply them. Think about your work, your students, your school and your district. What stories do you have? What anecdotes can you tell that paint a picture of success or challenges? Telling your story always resonates with policy makers and elected officials.  The relationship you build with those who represent you in Congress or state Legislature will pay off in the long run. Lawmakers need your expertise. No, they require your expertise. And the best way to engage lawmakers is to advocate directly. So be that person who calls your representative tomorrow and start leveraging your voice.  Adonai Mack is ACSA’s Senior Director of Federal Governmental Relations. Reach him at .