Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1516512
ISEA Communiqué • isea.org March 2024 3 OPINION Action in action By Mike Beranek, ISEA president, mike.beranek@isea.org All of us have witnessed the power of collective advocacy this year. Each one of us must step back and recognize that it truly is within our ability to work with each other to promote our message. Public education is the right of every child in Iowa, and it is our elected officials' responsibility to ensure that all students receive the education they deserve. Members, families and communities met the governor's proposal to gut our Area Education Agencies with tremendous anger and worry. Iowa's AEAs are genuinely regarded as the gold standard across the United States for providing a litany of programming, training, and educational expertise. The governor's ill-advised initial bill in January diminished the high-quality professional services offered by our AEAs and disregarded the professionals who provide those services. Iowa's elected officials continue to receive thousands of emails, phone calls, and letters from stakeholders across the state. This advocacy taking place is not just from some interested people, it is from entire communities invested in our public schools who are loudly making sure legislators, the governor, and officials at the Iowa Department of Education understand that the proposed changes are not wanted or warranted. The Iowa State Education Association will continue to lead the fight against these relentless attacks on our students, schools, and education professionals. These attacks, which purposely intend to destroy public education as we know it, require all of us to work in concert to inform our fellow members and the citizenry in Iowa. A clear and laser-focused eye can observe a continuum line with specific data points about how individuals and groups with deep pockets and alternative perspectives are altering a democratic system that we hold so dear. On a recent trip to Washington, DC, the ISEA leadership team and ISEA Executive Director Mary Jane Cobb participated in conversations which identified how this destructive continuum line is being replicated across the country. It is not coincidence specific initiatives look like those we witness here in Iowa. Numerous think tanks and consortiums are driving a message that is in direct conflict with our mission and values. National Education Association state affiliates are required to react, respond, and advocate to issues that are numerous and, at times, overwhelming. During her tenure as ISEA Executive Director, Mary Jane has guided our organization through difficult circumstances with a fortitude and drive that we all must continue to mirror as the days ahead bring new challenges. One of the most vital lessons that we can learn from Mary Jane is we can never give up hope, we cannot allow our adversaries to deter us, and we must remain a powerful voice for what we know to be correct and accurate. Mary Jane will leave our organization in good standing and robust. Our state union advocacy system must be accompanied by local leadership and community engagement. The Area Education Agency advocacy, with which the ISEA is a formidable partner, has demonstrated that while a state organization or entity can be solid and successful, the breadth and success of any organizing effort must include a broader coalition that brings together all of the leaders and stakeholders who have a valued interest. This coalition must be ready to move immediately and speak loudly for those who remain complacent. The attacks will not stop, nor can our collective action. March 2024 – Vol. 61 No. 5 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 Knight at 515-471-8000 or email kimberly.knight@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 the membership department at 515-471-8000 or email isea.membership@isea.org. President: Mike Beranek Vice President: Josh Brown Treasurer: Kelly McMahon Senior NEA Director: Rachella Dravis NEA Director: Sara Earleywine Executive Director: Mary Jane Cobb Editor: Mike Wiser Editorial Assistant: Kimberly Knight Visit us on the web at isea.org Cover photo by Mike Wiser The attacks will not stop, nor can our collective action. Seeking nominations for ISEA Executive Board positions Treasurer Executive Board Position ISEA is seeking nominations for the position of Treasurer to serve the remainder of a two-year term ending July 2025 on the ISEA Executive Board. Nomination papers may be obtained on the members only section of the ISEA website (www.isea.org) or from Drew Gosselink, Associate Executive Director, at dgosselink@isea.org. The deadline for filing completed nomination papers is March 15, 2024. Each candidate may also submit a two-sided campaign item to be included in the delegate packet. The election will be held at Delegate Assembly in April 2024, with the successful candidate assuming office in July. Multicultural Executive Board Position ISEA is seeking nominations from Multicultural members who want to serve a three-year term on the ISEA Executive Board. The successful candidate will also serve as chairperson for the Multicultural standing committee meetings. Nomination papers may be obtained on the members only section of the ISEA website (www.isea.org) or from Drew Gosselink, Associate Executive Director, at dgosselink@isea.org. The deadline for filing completed nomination papers is April 30, 2024. The election will be held from May 15 to June 15, with the successful candidate assuming office in July.