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NEA Representative Assembly

SEOEA AT THE NEA RA

Sixteen members of SEOEA were delegates to the 2008 NEA RA held in Washington D.C, July 1 – 6.

SEOEA delegates were Barbara Brushart, Waverly C.T.A.; Belinda Dixon, Wellston T.A.; Cecelia Giardino, Logan E.A.; Angela Helber, Logan E.A.; Katie Hendrickson Local E.A.; Arthur Lard, Portsmouth City T.A.; Robert Maher, Federal Hocking T.A.; Christine McVicar, Warren Local E.A., Jane Miller, Buckeye Hills T.AA.; James Miller Morgan Local E.A.; Deborah O’Dell, Washington Local C.T.A.; Pamela Smith Jackson City E.A.; William Van Pelt, Belpre E.A.; James Wilhelm, Alexander Local E.A.; and Kenda Williams, Meigs Local T.A. David Bowen attended as a retired delegate.

Jim Miller from Morgan Local was re-elected to the NEA Resolutions Committee.

SPEAKERS

NEA President Reg Weaver’s final address at the NEA RA focused on NCLB, transforming public education, and the election. In speaking about NCLB Weaver said, “Today, thanks to our commitment to children across this nation, the tide has turned. The American people, and most members of Congress, now understand that NCLB has taken the professionalism out of teaching, and the joy out of learning." President Weaver referred to an NEA report that a framewok to achieve our vision of a great public school for every child by 2020. He also stressed the importance of making sure that he 2008 elections include a discussion about renewing our national commitment to Education.

NEA Executive Director John Wilson spoke an presided over a 4th of July Celebration

Dennis Van Roekel, incoming president of the National Education Association, and the other newly elected NEA officers addressed delegates at the conclusion of the 146th NEA Annual Meeting. Van Roekel said that there is a "new era arising for public education" if educators come together and use their collective power to advance the promise of public education.

Other speakers included Milwaukee public schools employee Laura Vernon Education Support Professional of the Year and, Oregon science teacher Michael Geisen 2008 National Teacher of the Year.

ELECTIONS

NEA President-Elect Dennis Van Roekel, a 25-year classroom veteran, is finishing his second term as NEA vice president. He assumes his new duties on September 1, 2008. Van Roekel succeeds two-term President Reg Weaver, a 30-year classroom veteran from Illinois.

NEA delegates also elected Lily Eskelsen as vice president. Eskelsen, an elementary school teacher from Utah, has served two three-year terms as NEA secretary-treasurer.

NEA delegates elected Becky Pringle to a one-year term as Secretary Treasurer.

Princes Moss and Len Paolillo were elected to the Executive Committee

NEA Friend of Education Award

Barbara Morgan, teacher and NASA astronaut, received the NEA 2008 Friend of Education award. She participated in the Teacher in Space program as the backup to Christa McAuliffe for the Space Shuttle Challenger mission. She later trained as a mission specialist and flew on STS-118 in August 2007

ACTIVITIES AT THE RA
More than 9,000 delegates acted on 83 New Business and approved two of four proposed Amendments to the Constitution The delegates also adopted 13 Legislative Amendments, 10l amendments to the Resolutions and approved the modified 2008-2010 Strategic Plan and Budget.

ENDORSEMENT
Presumptive presidential nominee Barack Obama addressed the RA via satellite from Butte, Montana. Obama called for overhauling No Child Left Behind, providing adequate resources to educators, and encouraging parental and community involvement. He also said that he would work to get educators and support professionals the assistance they need to do their jobs, starting with a free college education for those who agree to become teachers.

In a Presidential Endorsement vote delegates recommended to its members the election on Barack Obama as President of the United States. The vote was 79.75% to 20.25%.

FCPE

Delegates contributed over $1,848,691 to the NEA Fund for Children and Public Education. Ohio ranked fourth among the states with a contribution of $ $95,708.00. SEOEA delegates contributed over $3000.

Next year’s NEA RA will be held July 1-6 San Diego