Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/252703
AEA Executive Director, Sheryl Mathis, has resigned to become Ohio Education Association's executive director, effective December 1, 2013. Mathis joined AEA in June 2006 from the Kansas National Education Association, where she served as associate executive director. She taught special needs students in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, for nine years and during that time she was active in her local and state education associations, which included serving as a local association full-time release president. Mathis left the classroom to become a UniServ Director in Colorado where she advocated for association members and public education. "Sheryl has led the management team and staff with dedication and intelligence, provided oversight for AEA programs and resources in support of our mission and strategic goals, and counseled the AEA officers and Board of Directors through every challenge," said AEA President Andrew F. Morrill. "AEA has strengthened its resolve and focus in large part because of Sheryl's character and skills. As with AEA's steadfast strength, Sheryl's performance has been noted and admired across the NEA." AEA is currently in the process of searching for a new executive director and has named AEA Field Manager Renae Costa as Interim Executive Director during this time of transition. 2 AROUND AEA have the best possible educators in their schools," said NEA President Dennis Van Roekel. "The program will prepare and support the next generation of our profession's leaders to meet the demands of a 21st century teaching professional and ensure the success of their students." Participants will engage with an interactive curriculum designed and facilitated by other expert teachers. Their learning will take place on CTQ's Collaboratory platform and in face-to- face meetings. Once teacher leaders have been prepared, TLI will mobilize their leadership to help advance student learning, strengthen the teaching profession, and provide vision and direction to the Association. In addition, the partners will develop systems to support their on-going professional growth. "The initiative will call on the voices and expertise of accomplished teachers," said CTQ CEO Barnett Berry. "It's time to blur the lines of distinction between those who teach in schools and those who lead them." "The National Board is proud to partner with NEA and CTQ on the Teacher Leadership Initiative," said Ron Thorpe, president and CEO of the National Board. "It is our strong belief that positive change in education must be driven by the profession and shaped by the invaluable experience of teachers working in classrooms. The TLI initiative marks an important milestone in our collective effort to elevate the profession." NEA is taking the lead within the education profession through TLI and a series of initiatives that put educators in positions of leadership within their practice. This summer NEA launched the NEA Master Teacher Project to recruit from among the best teachers in the country to document and share what makes them effective – 95 of the highest performing K-12 Math and English Language Arts Common Core teachers across the country were selected and awarded $15,000 to develop and share all of their lessons and practices with their fellow educators. Last month, NEA released a site built entirely for Common Core State Standards resources, now known as the Arizona College and Career Readiness Standards in our state. Read more about the BetterLesson website on page 17. NEA has also partnered with Teach Plus to launch a selective fellowship that will empower solutions-oriented teachers, most of whom are in the first 10 years of their careers, to advise union leadership on teacher engagement and retention. As the education leader, NEA is aiming to empower teachers to lead, shape education policy, and prepare the next generation of teacher leaders. 2 Mathis Leaves AEA to Join OEA AEA Advocate x Spring 2014 13 "It's time to blur the lines of distinction between those who teach in schools and those who lead them." —CTQ CEA Barnett Berry L-R: NEA President Dennis Van Roekel and NBPTS President and CEO Ron Thorpe unveiling the new Teacher Leadership Initiative in Washington, DC. Spring.14advo.indd 13 1/28/14 5:11 PM