Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/83243
PERSPECTIVE NATIONAL NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE Educators Leave NEA Representative Assembly Committed to Leading the Profession If public education is to remain a basic right for every child, rather than a privilege for only the wealthy, educators will have to lead their profession not just in their schools but in their communities and in political campaigns. That was the recurring message from President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Teacher of the Year Rebecca Mieliwocki, and the more than 8,000 educators at the 2012 National Education Association (NEA) Representative Assembly, which ended deliberations this past July. The Representative Assembly is the largest democratic decision-making body in the world. Nearly 8,000 educators gathered in Washington, DC to determine education policy for the nation's largest union. They also gathered to hear from leaders in politics and education, and to honor their colleagues. NEA President Dennis Van Roekel opened the Association's 91st Representative Assembly with a challenge to members to stand up for their profession and come together in a united mission to transform America's public schools into world class institutions of learning. "To help students succeed in these challenging times, we must also harness the strength of our association to take CHARGE of the teaching profession. We need to support our members to define what good teaching looks like – so others can't reduce good teaching to standardized tests." 2012 National Teacher of the Year Rebecca Mieliwocki spoke about the power teachers have to shape and transform the lives of their students. An English teacher at Luther Burbank Middle School in Burbank, Calif., Mieliwocki told delegates she is proud to represent teachers. "So here I stand, one teacher symbolizing millions," she said. "One imperfect, enthusiastic, hard-working, and committed example of the millions more just like me. One voice to stand for all of us…." Judy Near, an elementary school health technician from Colorado, is NEA's Education Support Professional of the Year. Near urged educators to take control of their profession through leadership roles. "To lead you just need a vision, hope, and inner strength to believe you can change things," Near said. NEA Executive Director John Stocks delivered his first address as executive director, challenging educators to become "social justice patriots." Gov. Mark Dayton of Minnesota received the "Greatest Governor" Arizona State President Andrew Morrill, Vice- President Joseph Thomas, and Treasurer Nidia Lias dress in Abe Lincoln Stove Pipe hats and beards as part of a PAC Fundraiser. Photo credit Calvin Knight 28 Fall 2012 ❘ AEA Advocate