DSEA Action!

NEA RA Highlights www.nea.org/ra Friend of Education Award, and California Gov. Jerry Brown, recipient of the Greatest Governor Award. Using a formula that will serve low-income and non-native English speakers, Gov. Brown made sweeping changes—the greatest in the nation and during this century—to the way California funds its public schools. Before that, Gov. Brown successfully managed a ballot initiative to regenerate funding for public schools. "Nothing is more determinative of our future than how we teach our children," says Gov. Brown, who addressed the RA via satellite video. "It's an honor to accept this award on behalf of the educators working every day to make our public schools better and our future brighter." Sen. Murray has been a tireless advocate of more preschool and literacy programs, smaller class sizes, and better education for homeless children. And she led the fight that pushed $25 billion for education jobs and Medicaid funding over the finish line in 2010. In a nod to the importance of digital learning, delegates approved a new NEA policy that addresses equity issues related to broadband Internet access and software and technical support. The new statement also emphasizes the importance of providing preK–12 teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, and administrators with access to high-quality, interactive professional development that will help them turn digital learning and technology into instruction. Three Delaware delegates introduce New Business Items Thanks to Mike Matthews of Red Clay E.A., NEA will write a letter to the National Conference of State Legislatures urging legislators to take the standardized tests of the state in which they live, especially where teacher evaluations are based in part on student test scores. Arguing that legislators must find ways to make college affordable for lower-income students especially, NEA will "organize a campaign to help members advocate for lower cost loans for students within the Delaware's NEA RA delegates DSEA NEA Student Group Renatae Cuffee Rayshaun Ward* DSEA Officers Karen Crouse Mike Hoffmann Frederika Jenner Dom Zaffora DSEA Retired David Bradley Appoquinimink E.A. David Wright Susan Mitchell, a rookie delegate from Christina, makes a donation to the Atlanta Food Bank - a staple at every current NEA budget structure." This New Business Item 62, proposed by Cape Henlopen's Diane Albanese, also passed. New Business Item 69, introduced by DSEA Treasurer Dom Zaffora, a middle school teacher from Woodbridge, passed the RA. It states that NEA will only ask state affiliates to recognize and support organizations established to recognize excellence in education if the requesting organization is inclusive of all educators, or agrees to change their charter to include all educators. Brandywine E.A. Kelli Bradley Carolyn Heckenstaller* David Hogan* Steve Rulon* Jeannette Wilt Caesar Rodney E.A. Tawanna Prophet* Cape Henlopen E.A. Diane Albanese Capital E.A. Linda Brown* Capital Paras Patti Reid Christina E.A. David Davis Jackie Kook Paul Kough* Susan Mitchell* Susan Norris* John Woodruff* Colonial E.A. Red Clay's Michael Banks is seen on the big screen speaking in support of a New Business Item to create an International Teacher Advocacy Committee to support and provide guidance "...to integrate, sustain and protect our diverse teaching population." The NBI passed but without $55,380 which must be budgeted. For more news, photos and video from the 2013 NEA Annual Meeting and Representative Assembly, visit: www.nea.org/ra. Photos courtesy of Delegates Dave Bradley, Jackie Kook and Linda Brown. www.dsea.org "It was an awesome learning experience. Lots of hard work. Met and collaborated with terrific teachers from different states with concerns and issues we all face each day. Some are seriously fighting for their jobs, collective bargaining, and their students. Can't wait until next year." - Maureen Keeney President, New Castle County Vo-Tech E.A. Reading teacher, Howard High School of Technology Elaine Autry Stephanie Ingram Michael Renn Nancy Talmo* Ashley Williamson Indian River E.A. Sherry Abbott Cora Booth Amy Johnson Adele Jones Patricia Murrell Lake Forest E.A. Latoria Banks* Gwen Scott* Milford E.A. Denise Waples NCCVT E.A. Neena Burnett* Maureen Keeney* Red Clay E.A. Michael Bank Jennifer Dalby Steven Fackenthall* Denise Foreman Chris Laws* Mike Matthews Vicki Seifred Dorothy Webber* *First-time delegates September 2013 DSEA ACTION! 13

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