Teachers' Letters to Obama is an initiative led by Anthony Cody and other members of the Teacher Leaders Network to get teachers' voices and visions straight to President Obama and the Department of Education. Over 100 teachers from across the country submitted letters to Cody communicating their most urgent concerns and ideas about education policy. Accomplished teachers understand as well as anyone how legislation crafted on Capitol Hill impact students, sometimes with unforeseen consequences.

While teachers' opinions on some topics diverged, a central theme arose from their letters: Sound education reform will come from the understanding that every student and every classroom is different, and must empower good teachers with an array of tools and resources to engage students, support their learning, and demonstrate that learning and their own impact.

The first 100 Teachers Letters to Obama have made it into the hands of top officials at the Department of Education, and they are having a lasting ripple effect. Cody has shared several of the letters on his Teacher Magazine blog, Living in Dialogue, and the letters have sparked an ongoing discussion in Teacher Magazine's Forums. Next steps include a letter-writing campaign to members of Congress. "Our voices are beginning to be heard," says Cody.