The idea for this article came to me while standing in the airport about to fly from San Diego to Sacramento for this year’s Legislative Action Days.

“Have you gone to one of these before?” This was the question I was asked as I picked up a colleague I had never met, but seemed to have an instant kinship with, for a trip to the airport. We had a conversation in the car about how we both got involved in ACSA, and our stories were similar. I shared that I was encouraged to be more involved by a leader I admired, and how she told me this was a way to be more involved. Having a personal mission statement that says “To positively impact the trajectory of the families, teams, and communities I serve,” ACSA seemed like just what I was looking for.

I began my career in education in Peoria, Illinois, in 1996. The thought of being an administrator could not have been further from my mind. I had just completed my undergraduate studies from Illinois State University, where I spent a semester completing a research paper titled “The Cracks in the Education System.” I knew, even then, that some things just did not seem “right.” I then did what many of us do — I put my head down and did all I could in the classroom to impact my students.

Those first few years were spent asking “why” and “why not?” I bumped up against policy and procedure regularly while I explored solutions to meet the ever-changing needs of our students and families. I moved to California with my young family in 2001, still committed to making an impact for students, but as my career progressed, I found it difficult balancing the “politics” of the educational job. I remember thinking often “I really wish someone would do something to change things!”

My career shifted into administration about 11 years ago and the importance of lobbying became more and more clear. I was encouraged to become a member of ACSA about seven years ago, as I was looking for ways to grow as a leader. With ACSA, I began to see just how impactful a group of committed educational leaders could be. I had been encouraged by my wife and a few trusted colleagues and mentors to get more involved in educational policy and legislation. I had no idea where a simple guy like me would even begin to step into this world. Besides, I was “just a principal,” I was only responsible for my school. I wasn’t a superintendent, I didn’t know the process. Yes, the excuses piled up and were easy to find.

Then, a few years go, I got an email from a superintendent in my region asking for volunteers to attend Legislative Action Days. The list of leaders who were attending read something like superintendent, assistant superintendent, superintendent, retired superintendent, assistant superintendent, and then, there it was — “principal.” I remember thinking “Well if there is one principal, I guess I could do this, too.” I signed up, went, and it was career changing.

For me, ACSA Legislative Action Days was the great educational leader equalizer. No one cared (or asked really) that I was “just a principal.” The veteran leaders in our group and the superintendents asked me things like “How do you think this legislation would impact you at your site?” They listened to how things would impact my students, my families, and my team. I was treated as an equal colleague. I was instantly at ease and immediately comfortable in a situation I normally wouldn’t have been.

Then, with that feeling of inspiration firmly in place, we got to work. We strategized, planned and made sure we all knew our assignments. I gained such a better understanding of how education works, and how simple decisions made in Sacramento impact our San Diego and Imperial county schools and families. The meetings with the legislative representatives were equally powerful ­— four or five educational leaders in small groups, discussing the needs of kids with passion. My mind was equally blown open and full, if that is even possible.

When I arrived home my wife’s first question was “How was it?” I paused and tried to find the correct way to explain the experience. I described how I felt so empowered to learn and grow and continue to fight for my school and students. I grappled with the words to explain how networking with other educational leaders, regardless of their titles, was so powerful for me.

Then was the inevitable second question: “Would you do it again?” This time there was no hesitation. “Yes, absolutely, yes!”

Now that I am back in the airport, awaiting the return flight home from my fourth LAD, I have a few minutes to reflect on this year’s trip. I think sometimes we look for reasons why something “isn’t as good as the first one.” However, I can’t do that. This fourth year was even more powerful than the first few. I allowed the learning and networking experiences from previous years to empower me to participate more in the meetings. I spoke with more confidence this year, sharing the impact that governmental decisions have on my families and community. I was also able to develop deeper connections with leaders in my area as we laughed, shared stories and connected on a personal level around a meal.

There really is nothing like ACSA Legislative Action Days. If you’re reading this and you are in the space I was, thinking about how to be more involved, commit to LAD 2027. I am sure glad that I took the chance. I have grown and become a better leader; I know you will, too. It could feel a bit risky. But here is the real question: Isn’t taking a chance at something new what we encourage our students to do every day?

Joe Prosapio is principal of Berry Elementary School (South Bay Union School District) and the ACSA Region 18 VP of Committees and Programs.