Final Day of NEA Representative Assembly Showcases Educators Creating Opportunity

Collaboration is the key to success in public education, and the NEA Priority Schools Campaign has been at the forefront of bringing educators, administrators, and parents together to transform schools.

This hard work often goes unrecognized. But on the final day of the 2011 NEA Representative Assembly in Chicago, examples of these innovative approaches to education reform were highlighted before 8,000 NEA delegates.

Des Moines Education Association President Melissa Spencer discussed recent success at North High School, a NEA Priority School site. With help from a federal School Improvement Grant, and teachers’ voices in the discussion, Spencer said “we went from dead-last place in our state assessments to the number two position in just under a year."

The importance of collaboration was also echoed by national Teacher of the Year Michelle Shearer and NEA member, who recognized the difficulties that educators face every day, and the toll it takes on them personally. Though the attack on teachers and public schools have deflated morale, “We have to find ways to stand strong for our students,” she said. She asked the delegation: “How long will we continue to envy other countries and how they respect their teachers before we start to do it here?”

‘Celebrate Who You Are’ UEA leaders told at Leadership Academy

More than 100 UEA leaders and staff heard presentations, participated in workshops, and shared ideas at 2011 Summer Leadership Academy

“If we want to be a force for good, then coming together in this association is the best way to do it,” said former UEA president and current NEA Vice President Lily Eskelsen as she addressed more than 100 UEA leaders and staff attending the 2011 Summer Leadership Academy. Eskelsen was the keynote speaker, kicking off the two-day conference at Zermatt Resort in Midway. The event agenda included speakers, workshops, entertainment and opportunities for state, local and UniServ leaders to interact and share information.

“What we have goes beyond race, religion, politics, gender (and) nationality,” Eskelsen said in her opening keynote address. “You and I are part of that brotherhood and sisterhood of advocates. We see our schools as more than a place of employment…that school becomes our cause.”

Eskelsen conveyed information about attacks on public education in other states and what she described as a “sophisticated, national, coordinated, secretive campaign” to discredit public education and its advocates, including teacher unions. She urged educators to become involved and passionate about fighting for the education profession and also for the needs of students and their families.

“I am convinced that celebrating who we are is our best defense in this time of attack. Have the courage to be proud of what you do,” she concluded.

(View Lily Eskelsen’s complete address to the UEA Summer Leadership Academy here)

UEA President Sharon Gallagher-Fishbaugh shared findings from recent focus groups with parents and grandparents of Utah K-12 students. “The purpose of these focus groups was to determine the perceptions Utah parents have of Utah public schools and the Utah Education Association,” she said.

Key conclusions from the research showed that parents want more accountability for the resources given to public schools and that the role of the UEA in the education process is not generally recognized or is misunderstood. Gallagher-Fishbaugh said she viewed the research as “a unique opportunity to change the conversation around who we are and what we do as an organization.”

“As educators who belong to our local, state and national affiliates, we must be more vocal about our successes and be ready to hold one another to high standards,” she said. “It is not time to be meek and quiet. It is time to educate, celebrate and elevate.