Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/637605
ISEA Communiqué • isea.org February 2016 3 OPINION Why do we work so hard in the political process? Quite simply, because every moment of our profession is decided by our elected leaders and every part of our student's lives is determined by their laws. So, when we are not involved in the process and somehow making our voices heard, others are determining our fate and those of our students. February 2016 – Vol. 53 No. 4 The ISEA Communiqué (ISSN 0019-0624) is published seven times a year (monthly except July & August; plus combined in October/ November, December/January, and April/ May) by the Iowa State Education Association, 777 Third St., Des Moines, IA 50309, 515-471-8000 or 1-800-445-9358. $3.87 of membership dues is for a year's subscription; for nonmembers, the annual subscription is $10. Periodical postage is paid at Des Moines and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address corrections to ISEA Membership Records, 777 Third St., Des Moines, IA 50309. Advertising: To advertise, contact Kimberly Hupp at 515-471-8000 or email khupp@isea.org. ISEA makes no representations regarding advertised products or services that are not endorsed by ISEA or NEA Member Benefits. Duplicate mailings? To stop duplicate mailings to the same household, contact Kimberly Hupp at 515-471-8000 or email khupp@isea.org. President: Tammy Wawro Vice President: Mike Beranek Treasurer: Tom McLaughlin NEA Directors: Ray Feuss, Joshua Brown Executive Director: Mary Jane Cobb Editor: Mike Wiser Editorial Assistant: Kimberly Hupp Visit us on the web at isea.org We did it. Our hard work paid off in many ways on caucus night. According to an entry/exit poll conducted by CBS News which surveyed Democratic caucus attendees, 21 percent belong to union households. Turn-out was extraordinary. That tells us that our organizing strength, energy and commitment was vital to Hillary Clinton's narrow win in Iowa. Hours and hours of door knocking, phone calls and talking to people one-on-one worked. Our union made a difference in the critical first-in-the- nation contest for president and the Iowa State Education Association was on the front lines early. Far too often our voices get lost in the back-and-forth of political debate, but this time we were heard. We came through. I am so proud of how hard ISEA members worked. How much drive and determination we showed by not only working hard leading up to caucus night, but showing up to caucus as well. The ISEA joined the National Education Association (NEA) in recommending Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primary for president of the United States early in the process. Based on her long history in support of children, public schools and her voting record in the U.S. Senate, we believe supporting Clinton is the right choice for our students, our schools and our profession. There is a saying in the political world that if you are not at the table then you on are on the menu --- so instead of waiting on the sidelines until after the important Iowa Caucuses were over, our union decided it was in the best interest of all of us to secure a place at the table to have a voice in the direction of policy. This voice was demonstrated with our ability to access Hillary Clinton's education policy advisor, Ann O'Leary, for a listening tour in which many ISEA members participated. Ann heard exclusively from us so she could bring our concerns back to Hillary. It was a rare opportunity for us to help shape education policy and to have real-time input in the ongoing debate. ISEA organizers also attended hundreds of campaign events asking the right questions, holding signs, collecting signatures and making sure politicians saw us. We wanted to ensure no one crisscrossing Iowa during a time when the entire world was watching would miss our commitment to put public education matters at the forefront of the debate. The ISEA also joined our brothers and sisters in the labor community for Get-Out-To-Caucus events on the final weekend. We were joined by the American Federation of Teachers, the Service Employees Union, the American Federation of State and County Employees and others in huge rallies. Hillary, Bill and Chelsea joined our members in celebrating our efforts so far and gearing up for our final rounds of phone calling and door knocking. Why do we work so hard in the political process? Quite simply, because every moment of our profession is decided by our elected leaders and every part of our student's lives is determined by their laws. So, when we are not involved in the process and somehow making our voices heard, others are determining our fate and those of our students. So, thank you for your hard work and efforts so far. Obviously, the razor- thin margin of victory would not have been possible without the ISEA and all of your work in talking with your family, your friends and your neighbors. We know that people trust educators and your commitment to your profession is so important. \We all know that our students depend on us. It is that important and that simple. As always, thank you for your membership in the ISEA and for all you do to make us the strongest voice for public education in the state. Thank You for Making the Difference by Tammy Wawro, ISEA president, twawro@isea.org - 9 - 9 - 9 Untitled-2 1 11/16/09 7:33:41 PM - 9 Iowa State Education Association President Tammy Wawro (left) and National Education Association President Lily Eskelsen Garcia attend a pre-caucus rally together at Washington High School in Cedar Rapids.