Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/39006
AROUND AEA Clockwise starting far left: Gilbert EA members Lizzie Menefee Veronica Doxtader to ignite souls around you, it isn’t all you have, and it isn’t all you need. But it’s a good place to start from as we walk for- ward and create a better world.” The keynote address was given by NEA President and past AEA President, Dennis Van Roekel, who spoke about the growing separa- tion of classes in America and the attack on labor unions in several states across the nation. “This is an absolute assault on middle-class Americans and unions,” says Van Roekel. “They want to shut that voice down and they want to eliminate unions, and then the only voice heard will be from the apostles of greed who simply stand up everywhere.” Van Roekel also spoke about the opportunity given to the Association by the elimination of payroll dues deduction. “It isn’t your lifeblood to be able to have payroll deduction. It’s just a means. And what they’re saying is we’re not giving that legislature power over us. We’ll find a way to get our money any other way and not through you. Think of the power you have when you see the world that way.” Many of NEA’s critics state that the biggest problem in America’s education system is that it is too hard to fire bad teachers. Van Roekel’s re- sponse to this criticism asks reformers to raise the esteem of the teaching profession and focus on efforts to recruit and support good teachers. “How about instead creating a system that no one is allowed in a classroom with 35 or more students, who is not qualified, licensed, and certified.” Yuma Elementary EA member Veronica Doxtader was not disappointed as a first-time delegate and says Delegate Assembly was more than she expected. “It is great that there are so many people from so many different backgrounds all coming together for one cause. There is value in being a part of a group that is like-minded and serves a positive role in our society and state. My eyes have been opened up more about so many issues and the need to make sure our voice is heard. The public needs to see that the people here really do care about public education.” AEA Resource Center provided delegates electronic copies of materials. Many AEA members consider Delegate Assembly a chance to renew their dedication to AEA’s mission of quality public education for every child. “I come to DA to get my batteries recharged,” says Santa Cruz Valley EA member Lizzie Menefee. “It keeps me going, especially when I see morale is low in education right now.” AEA Vice-President Joe Thomas addressed delegates about donating to the AEA Fund for Public Education (AEA Fund), the Political Action Committee (PAC) of the AEA and the Education Initiative Fund (EIF). He highlighted some of the victories AEA has celebrated in the past year because of members’ donations, including the passage of Prop 100 and the defeat of Prop 302. Delegates participated in an activity symbolizing the Association’s unified effort to fight back against state lawmakers’ ef- forts to silence union members with the elimi- nation of payroll dues deduction. Delegates put x-marked tape on their mouths and then ripped them off in a show of solidarity and defiance. Delegate Assembly marked the beginning of the campaign to “flip” members to another form of dues payment, such as Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), in order to keep their voices strong. Afterwards, delegates were invited to meet with state legislators and contribute to the AEA Fund and EIF at the AEA Legislative Reception on the first night of Delegate Assembly. Following the Legislative Reception, del- egates celebrated exceptional teachers, educa- tion support professionals, and education sup- porters at the AEA Salute to Excellence Awards Dinner. The AEA Foundation for Teaching and Learning honored many winners of several awards for their dedication and service to qual- ity public education. For a list of award winners, go to page 28. ✒ AEA Advocate ❘ Fall 2011 9 Chinle EA members Ella and Kenneth Stanford participate in activity symbolizing legislative attempt to silence educators. Tucson EA members view business items from a laptop.