Convince Your Leadership

Tip 1: Outline the big picture
benefits in 1-2-3.

Attending convention won’t just benefit you, right? It will also benefit your students, your colleagues, and your school. Lay it all out for your leader, and attach the impact worksheet to your letter.

Tip 2: Offer to share your conference insights when you get back.

After outlining what sessions you’ll attend and how these will have big-picture benefits, let your leadership know you’ll spread the love with your colleagues. And go ahead and tell them how. Willing to share in a staff meeting, during a Tech Tuesday, on an in-service or teacher work day? Tell them!

Tip 3: Ensure seamless learning in your absence.

Assure your leader that there will be a continuation of learning while you’re out. Explain how you’ll set up lessons and activities in your learning management system. Or, let them know about the detailed lesson plans with resources and materials you’ll send to your sub.

Tip 4: Leverage testimonials from previous attendees.

Know others who’ve attended TCEA’s Convention & Exposition? Ask them about the specific benefits of their experience and, with permission, add this information to your letter to gain support from your leaders. There’s nothing more convincing than hearing evidence from multiple sources!

Tip 5: Take advantage of early bird pricing and advanced discounts.

Let leadership know that the sooner you register, the better is it for the budget!

• Early Bird Pricing: Register before November 4 to get the lowest price on a full registration badge ($349) OR a one-day badge ($159)!
• Advanced Pricing: Register between November 4 and January 12 and get a full registration badge for $399 and a one-day badge for $189. On January 13 prices will increase to $449 for a full registration badge and $219 for a one-day badge.
• Volunteer: You can also volunteer for at least two, 4.5 hour volunteer and qualify for a free* full registration badge. (*Limited availability.)

Tip 6: Lay out all the expenses.

Cut down on the back-and-forth communication and save you and your leader time! Use this expense sheet to calculate conference expenses in advance. This sheet makes it easy to calculate per diem gas and food expenses. Plus, you can add your registration badge cost and hotel expenses into the mix to get an estimated final total.

Tip 7: Schedule a quick meeting.

In a brief meeting, convince your leadership to send you to TCEA 2024 with the very powerfully persuasive information you’ve prepared. And to make this meeting as easy as possible, we’ve created an incredibly convincing template for you. Just fill it in, and you’ll be ready to go. (Ready to go to TCEA 2024, that is.)