Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1036712
Fall 2018 | wyoea.edu 6 Fall 2018 | wyoea.edu new energy. Mariah helped provide that spark. She serves as a co-president of ACEA with Ami Cass. Paige Gustafson, an ACEA member, calls Mariah "a strong fi erce leader who is approachable." Fellow ACEA member Bryon Lee shared that, "It is extremely diffi cult to NOT idolize Mariah Learned. Her dedication to the education community of Albany County is often showcased in her ability to expediently respond to issues we face with professional promptness and articulation that keeps all ACSD#1 employees informed and represented. She is a leader who demonstrates the need to be dedicated, informed, and willing to take matters to task." Despite high praise, Mariah is quick to share the credit, "In ACEA we are lucky to have a co-presidency. Ami Cass is not only my friend, she is the yin to my yang, and our strengths and weaknesses balance each other well." Ami Cass said, "Having Mariah Learned as a co-president for ACEA is pretty darn amazing! To start, she is passionate about education and the students she works with in the district. Mariah brings many great qualities to the table – she is very organized, she is continually educating herself on what is happening in the legislature, and she continues to stand up for what is best for all members. Mariah says of Ami, "[we] both believe in helping others to amplify their strengths and to help them grow into more active roles within our local organization. We have seen great growth in the number of emerging leaders within ACEA over the past couple of years. I know that we are both excited about the emerging leaders who will soon step into fulfi lling the co-president roles in ACEA." And like all good leaders, Mariah is excited about the number of emerging leaders in ACEA. Mariah also serves as the WEA Vice-President of the Southeast Region. She continues to advocate for members, seek additional education and training, and create other leadership opportunities for members. Mariah said she would not be where she is today without such opportunities. Still, members need to get colleagues involved. WEA President, Kathy Vetter, calls Mariah a true leader who gives credit freely to others and yet is willing to take the heat if things do not go well, a true sign of a great leader. Mariah wants to change the perception that teachers are not professionals, that we are not doing enough. The fact that many of the people making decisions about education law have no idea what education is about, or how hard teachers work, highlights a need for more educators to run for offi ce. Mariah leaves us with this: "If there isn't a convenient opportunity, fi nd a way to make it happen. Education is always a cause worth fi ghting for." ACEA members came together under Mariah Learned's leadership to help share information at a University of Wyoming football game where Wyoming teachers were celebrated with free t-shirts.