Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/693801
ISEA Communiqué • isea.org June 2016 9 Peter Clancy is a social studies teacher and co- president of the Cedar Rapids Education Association. He's also a member of the Iowa State Education Association Executive Board representing the Cedar Wood UniServ Unit. On Wednesday, May 18, I, along with eight other National Education Association members from across the country, travelled to Washington D.C. for a meeting at the White House. All nine of us are social studies educators who are deeply concerned about the lack of a confirmation hearing for Judge Merrick Garland. When I received the invitation to go, I did not hesitate to accept it. It is important to me to show my students that democratic participation extends beyond the ballot box. It is essential that we all are involved in our government at every level, and this provided another opportunity for me to be civically engaged. Our day started at NEA headquarters with a briefing, a visit from NEA President Lily Esklesen-Garcia, and filming a video message to other members of the NEA. From there, we travelled to the Dirksen Senate Office Building to attend an hour- long hearing on Garland's qualifications for a position as an associate justice on the Supreme Court in front of the Democratic members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The Republican senators – including Iowa's Charles Grassley – were invited to the hearing but chose to be elsewhere. Following lunch and a quick photo stop at the Supreme Court, we headed over to the White House. Our meeting was run by Valerie Jarrett, senior advisor to President Barack Obama. After brief introductions, Jarrett asked all of us to discuss how the Supreme Court vacancy and lack of confirmation hearing for Judge Garland affected our classrooms and students. The conversation focused on two major points: • The obstructionism that is occurring due to the lack hearing sends a horrible message to our students about how our government works. • Without a full Court, important decisions that affect students' lives and education could go unresolved. Obama Chief of Staff Denis McDonough stepped in to the meeting to talk about the importance of educators and civic education. After the meeting, and a quick peek into the Oval Office, we held a press conference and gave interviews to news outlets from our home states. This was an incredible experience and opportunity to engage and influence high- ranking officials. I will be forever grateful to the NEA not only for providing me this opportunity, but for the important government relations work that both the NEA and the Iowa State Education Association do in ensuring that all students have access to great public schools. Karlys Gries is an ISEA member and transitional kindergarten educator in the Sioux City School District. She's also the recipient of the 2014-15 ISEA Excellence in Education award. This summer I will travel with a group of teachers to Peru for 10 days to learn about Peruvian culture and work toward becoming a global teacher We will fly into Lima and stay for three days. We will visit schools, sightsee, and visit the little shops during those days. We will then fly to Cusco and stay for six days. In Cusco, we will visit schools and learn more about the Peruvian culture. We then fly back to Lima and then home. We raised around $8,000 to buy books for the school children. This opportunity came about because I was nominated and awarded the 2014-15 Excellence in Education from the Iowa State Association. As a result of receiving this award, my husband and I were invited to Washington, D.C. to participate in the National Education Association Foundation's Salute to Excellence in Education gala. Each state awardee was asked to complete paperwork for the NEA Foundation Global Learning. The top four selected would receive $10,000 and the winner would receive $25,000. Each person who completed the paperwork received an all-expense paid trip to Peru. During my visit to Washington, D.C., I met with around 30 other teachers to receive information for our trip. We also visited the Peruvian embassy and met the ambassador. Life changing! I never imagined that I would receive an award, visit Washington, D.C., be part of a spectacular gala, and receive a trip to Peru. Receiving the ISEA Excellence in Education award has provided me with the opportunity to have experiences that will change my life, my teaching, and the lives of the students I work with every day. Why Merrick Garland matters to me and you To Peru to teach and learn By Peter Clancy By Karlys Gries Karlys Gries Peter Clancy FROM THE FIELD Peter Clancy stands on the grounds of the White House during a trip to Washington DC to meet with members of President Barack Obama's administration to discuss the nomination of Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court.